iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 20h

Before putting out water and a camera in her Tucson yard, SIA’s Emily Burns imagined wildlife living mostly in parks and remote mountains. The camera revealed some unexpected visitors! It’s been a joy ever since. To learn more and set up your own camera: ow.ly/LwOB50ZXq9B

Photo of a thirsty pack of coyotes at a water bowl in Tucson courtesy SIA/FotoFauna.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 12/10/2026

Want to work in some of the Sky Islands’ coolest places, from the Pajaritos to the Chiricahuas and Pinaleños? We’re hiring a restoration manager with 5+ years of field experience. To learn more and apply, visit: ow.ly/6Zzf50ZWt6j. We’ll start reviewing apps on Oct. 26.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 09/10/2026

Next weekend, Oct. 15-17, is the 5th annual Festival of the Sky Islands in Moctezuma, Sonora — so check out the program of activities and plan your trip! You can find details on hotels, camping, hiking, birdwatching, yoga, dance, and more: ow.ly/XiAy50ZWpjY

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 09/10/2026

This Oct. 30-Nov. 1, we’re hosting a volunteer camping trip just upstream from #AravaipaCanyon to put up wildlife-friendly fencing around the beautiful Stowe Spring. Join us! We’ll stay in Aravaipa Canyon overnight, then head out each day for the work: ow.ly/4gWr50ZVFWr

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 08/10/2026

This past month, La Red de las Islas del Cielo, a cross-border coalition of conservationists, including SIA, launched a new website. Check it out! And stay tuned for more from this group, including a plan charting their vision for the next five years. reddelasislasdelcielo.net

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 07/10/2026

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is holding a comment period — a last chance to weigh in on plans for more walls with 30-foot-high steel bollards and stadium lighting in the Sky Islands. Send a letter urging them to reconsider plans and uphold environmental protections: ow.ly/JxaM50ZVckH

Photo of old-growth cottonwood in La Noria, Sonora, across from Lochiel, courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 05/10/2026

Last week, SIA joined Saguaro National Park, APFF Bavispe, and other allies at a binational #SisterParks gathering. The summit gave folks working on both sides of the border a chance to visit, share visions, and coordinate on projects. To learn more: ow.ly/FsWl50ZU6Qo

Photos from Sister Parks summit courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 02/10/2026

We are living in an era of significant environmental change and loss. It’s essential that we come together as a community to process our experiences. Join us and Maria Renée on Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for a dedicated time to practice building resilience together: ow.ly/44pc50ZTbll

Photo of cottonwood at Lochiel by Maria Renée.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 30/09/2026

What would you say in a love letter to the Sky Islands? Maybe you’d thank them for the wildlife, wild places, and flowing springs — or the feeling of being part of something bigger. Your gift today can help ensure they’re here for generations to come! ow.ly/o2wn50ZPS6W

Photo of Chiricahua basin and range by A.J. Schneller; the ocelot Himdam in July 2025 courtesy SIA; an ocelot kitten in 2011 (c) Sky Island Alliance and Rancho El Aribabi; an ocelot in the Whetstones in 2009 courtesy SIA; Chiricahua wildflowers and Executive Director Louise Misztal courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 28/09/2026

Today we’re excited to share that Anays Blanco has joined us as our new Sonora Projects Manager! Anays is from Hermosillo, with roots in Cananea, and will be working to advance our programs, from Ranchos Regenerativos to springs monitoring: ow.ly/p9g050ZRAH8

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 25/09/2026

Join us Oct. 8 at 9:30am for a virtual tour of the Chiricahuas' amazing springs. Thanks to Spring Seeker volunteers who have surveyed these springs over the years, we understand just how important these water sources are for people, plants, and wildlife: ow.ly/kCQM50ZOXgw

Photo of Cloudy Spring in the Chiricahua Wilderness courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 24/09/2026

Want to camp with us in Sonora and help plant native trees along a beautiful creek? We’re hosting another #volunteer weekend on Oct. 2-4 at Rancho Agua de Enmedio, just southeast of Cananea and tucked in a canyon full of sycamores and oaks: ow.ly/XTsI50ZQP6P

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 21/09/2026

Fall is almost here, and it’s never too early to get a jump start! Here, in Madera Canyon: a squirrel explores all the acorn options, prepping for the months ahead. Happy #fall vibes to you all, as well as adventures among the squirrels and Mexican jays.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 18/09/2026

Yet another threat to our #publiclands: The U.S. Forest Service is proposing major changes to the Travel Management Rule, which guides where motor vehicles can travel on national forests and makes safe, multiple use possible. To learn more and take action: ow.ly/h9HJ50ZOVCv

Photo of roads criss-crossing the southern Huachucas courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 17/09/2026

Our team recently grew with the addition of two new members — Alex Pond and Lyndsey Shafiei. Alex joins us as a seasonal botany assistant. And Lyndsey joins us as a Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow. To learn more about these rising stars and other SIA staff: ow.ly/jjP650ZOxVU

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 15/09/2026

Two more opportunities to join us on #MtLemmon, where rains have greened things up! Over a day trip (Sept. 25) and a camping weekend (Oct. 2-4), we’ll be building erosion-control structures to heal the mountain after the Bighorn Fire: ow.ly/G5uw50ZIrry

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 14/09/2026

Thanks to all who joined us last week at Rock Ledge Spring in Tucson! We planted native trees and bushes, sourced from Borderlands Restoration Network. Already a dragonfly found one of the seep willows planted. Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities restoring these oases.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 11/09/2026

Recently, we surveyed sites at the San Pedro River for the Bureau of Land Management, part of a multi-year effort to track 50 riparian areas in Arizona. Stay tuned for more on this project. For this trip, the survey took place on bulrush mats over flowing water — feet never touched ground for hours!

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 10/09/2026

Quick reminder that this Sunday, Sept. 13, is the kickoff for Weeds Week along the Santa Cruz River in Tucson, and if you can’t make it, you can join on your own anytime that week, Sept. 13-20. We'll be learning to use #iNaturalist to ID plants: ow.ly/JSMG50ZLEjj

Photo of invasive stinknet by Meg (toastedhobbits)/iNaturalist; invasive fountain grass by donfisher/iNaturalist; and some native “weeds” along a sidewalk courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 09/09/2026

Two opportunities to level up your skills and help benefit our region’s wildlife: 1) Pima County is hosting a Sonoran Desert Track & Sign Certification on Nov. 14-15: ow.ly/2ten50ZKZI0 2) Pima Master Naturalists has a spring 2027 course planned: ow.ly/6qei50ZL2Sk

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 08/09/2026

This Oct. 3 and Oct. 24, we're leading a two-part class at Tucson Botanical Gardens for folks interested in joining #FotoFauna and learning how to set up a wildlife camera in their yard as part of our community science project. To learn more: ow.ly/s0oi50ZJE6G

Photo of great horned owls by FotoFauna volunteer Scott Lunt.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 07/09/2026

Calling all plant nerds and desert lovers: On Sept. 13, SIA Botanist Dan Beckman is leading a kickoff for Weeds Week — a new biannual event in Tucson — with a gathering along the Santa Cruz River. Come learn how to use #iNaturalist and be eyes on the ground: ow.ly/Y29Q50ZJAMB

Photo of invasive rabbitsfoot grass in the Santa Cruz riverbed near “A” Mountain courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 05/09/2026

Peace and gratitude to the late, great Wendell Berry, who passed away a few days ago. His words continue to inspire! Here, on a sign at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, where we were out last year for a firefly survey with wildlife biologist Rachel Laura. ow.ly/oZ1z50ZJyMm

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 04/09/2026

On Aug. 18 the Trump administration announced a new proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which safeguards 45 million acres of backcountry across U.S. national forests. That'd be devastating here in the Sky Islands. Urge the Forest Service to keep the rule intact: ow.ly/4x7c50ZJvaI

View looking south from within the Chiricahua Wilderness courtesy SIA.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 03/09/2026

A few more opportunities to join us on Mt. Lemmon, where rains have greened things up! Over two day trips (Sept. 11, Sept. 25) and a camping weekend (Oct. 2-4), we’ll be building erosion-control structures to heal the mountain after the Bighorn Fire: ow.ly/G5uw50ZIrry

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 02/09/2026

Where there are springs, there's magic in the Sky Islands! Trees, grasses, and flowers take root. Beetles dive. Salamanders glide. Recently, SIA's Ángel García gathered some of his favorite #SpringSeeker pics to show all that life beneath the surface: ow.ly/OLm150ZI0so

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 01/09/2026

In case you missed Friday’s podcast recording in Tucson about public parks and the border wall, hosted by the Center for Western Priorities, you can listen/watch here: ow.ly/w1Y250ZHYXH. SIA's Emily Burns was featured on the panel, along with several of our allies.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 01/09/2026

Recently, we reviewed photos from a remote camera near one of our drinkers along the San Pedro River and were delighted to find a family of coyotes! To learn more about this project and how it’s helping wildlife get through dry stretches, check out this blog: ow.ly/3opX50Zz79w

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 28/08/2026

Join us for our next virtual Coffee Break on Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. to learn more about one of our region’s favorite topics: rain — how much we can hope for and when it’s likely to come next. Our guest speakers are climate experts Mike Crimmins and Zack Guido from UArizona: ow.ly/6q4I50ZFqV6

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 26/08/2026

What's a bear to do without a bath towel to dry off? Same as other furry creatures: shake! FotoFauna highlights from this past month are in. So check out this video and, if you live where the wild things are, consider joining our community science project: ow.ly/5C3o50TTLT7

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 25/08/2026

Can you see it? A lush desert oasis in the Catalina foothills with wildlife and native plants. Join us Sept. 9 as we return to Rock Ledge Spring, where volunteers have already removed 300+ tons of invasive arundo. Next up, planting natives: ow.ly/Mu9K50ZzZz0

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 24/08/2026

Save the dates! Oct. 15-17 is the 5th annual Festival of the Sky Islands in Moctezuma, Sonora. Join us for a celebration filled with education, art, and conservation. This year, we're placing special emphasis on the Sky Islands’ aquatic ecosystems. ow.ly/llMB50ZCw1c

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 21/08/2026

Another Sonoran treat for y’all, featuring the #birds of APFF Bavispe. This summer, we shared reports from three Spring Seeker trips in Sierra La Madera, Sierra Los Ajos, and Sierra San Diego. Here are some of the best pics showing the bird diversity: ow.ly/cmg050ZB7cZ

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 20/08/2026

We just put the final touches on our summer newsletter: ow.ly/CuvN50ZzX27. Inside, you’ll find a message from our director, highlights from our recent work, and, as always, plenty of handsome critters. Thanks to all who helped make this work possible! #SkyIslands

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 18/08/2026

On Aug. 28 at 5:30pm, the Center for Western Priorities is hosting a live podcast recording in Tucson to discuss #borderwall impacts to wildlife, #publiclands, and Indigenous sites. Panelists include SIA's Emily Burns. To learn more and reserve your spot: ow.ly/LSBf50ZzWnA

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 17/08/2026

Two months into #monsoon season, you may be wondering: has it been a good year? These maps show a below average season so far for Arizona's sky islands — but close to normal for the Sonoran sky islands. Plus, a strengthening #ElNiño could bring more Pacific moisture this winter.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 14/08/2026

A few more #volunteer opportunities to join us on #MtLemmon and help heal the mountain after the Bighorn Fire. Find a date that works for you and bring a friend! Aug. 21-23: ow.ly/BBCy50ZwnOR Sept. 11: ow.ly/u12o50ZzBFG Sept. 25: ow.ly/M6GM50ZzBG1

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 13/08/2026

The border as we know it is changing daily as the Trump administration moves forward with its plans for more steel wall. To document these changes, photographer Greg Bedinger set out on a flight from Bisbee to Nogales this April with LightHawk. To see photos: ow.ly/ONYc50ZyMfp

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 10/08/2026

Curious to learn how to read wildlife tracks and sign? From Sept. 29-Oct. 2, our allies at Cuenca Los Ojos are hosting a certification in this remarkable restoration landscape near San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge. To learn more and register, visit: ow.ly/cS9C50Zxb7V

Photo of black bear track in Aravaipa Canyon by Alicia Stout.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 07/08/2026

A special treat for y'all today from our Sonoran comms fellow Ángel García, who’s also studying dance in Baja California. He choreographed another dance, “Raíces perdidas” or “Lost Roots,” reflecting on our relationship with nature and the big cats. Learn more in his blog: ow.ly/UtB950ZuOPs

Photos by Mario Solís, Erick Villalobos, Hiroshi Tsutsumi, and Ángel García.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 05/08/2026

Want to camp with us on Mt. Lemmon? We have another trip coming up Aug. 21-23. Join us in the land of cooler temps, beautiful sunsets, raspberries, and other delights. We’ll be building erosion-control structures to heal the mountain after the Bighorn Fire. ow.ly/BBCy50ZwnOR

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 04/08/2026

Join us in welcoming SIA's new development director, Brittney Sherley! A Tucson native with a background in wildlife rehab and animal welfare, she once worked as a handler for an American kestrel. Now she's got 7,000+ Sky Island species in her corner. ow.ly/WBIH50ZvYwe

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 03/08/2026

Recently, our Team Sonora went on another #SpringSeeker adventure in the Sierra San Diego, two hours southeast of Douglas, AZ. It was our team’s first time looking for springs here. Such wonderful photos! Of snails, diving beetles, trogons, and more: ow.ly/SC5R50ZuvOT

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 31/07/2026

Happy Friday, y'all. And cheers for lizard zoomies! Are they in love? Is this a territorial display over rights to this bush? Are they just excited for the monsoons? The world is full of wonderful mysteries.

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 29/07/2026

FotoFauna highlights are in from this month, and we’ve got some tough critters showing us how to make it through summer with the help of a little water. Bonus points to the owl and snake who got fully in the water bowl. To learn more and join the project: ow.ly/5C3o50TTLT7

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 29/07/2026

Water is precious in the Sky Islands, and especially so in the summer heat, when even monsoon puddles can quickly dissipate. If you can, consider putting out a water bowl for wildlife in your yard to help them make it through. To see tips and get started: ow.ly/qmxy50Zu2KR

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 27/07/2026

Border wall construction continues in Arizona’s San Rafael Valley. As you can see in this interview with SIA’s Eamon Harrity, another corner is being senselessly destroyed for a wall costing billions and in a remote valley with virtually no people. ow.ly/1AwE50ZtA6V 📹: Leslie Ann Epperson

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 27/07/2026

ICYMI: Our allies at the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection are hiring for an executive director, so if you know someone who’d be a good fit, please share! To learn more and apply by Aug. 16, visit: ow.ly/UIly50Zst5r

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 24/07/2026

ICYMI: In Sonora there’s a new way ranchers can voluntarily advance conservation on their land through what’s called a Derecho Real de Conservación, which works like a conservation easement. An exciting addition to the toolkit: ow.ly/yZTe50Zs611

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Sky Island Alliance @skyislandalliance.org · 23/07/2026

Another Sonoran adventure to share with y'all, this time in Sierra Los Ajos. Our Spring Seeker team has been busy this summer. Before this trip, one of the vehicles got a flat tire, and then they were met with rain at camp. But as the pics show, persistence pays off! ow.ly/61L050ZrvI0

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