Sky Island Alliance is a grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
We work with volunteers, scientists, land owners, public officials, and government agencies to establish protected areas, restore healthy landscapes, and promote public appreciation of the region's unique biological diversity.
> Read more about Sky Island Alliance
> Support Sky Island Alliance by donating securely online
Volunteers, and SIA Founder
Nancy ‘Z’ Zierenberg,
installing bear boxes
Celebrating 20 years: Sky Island Alliance Founders Fund
In 1991 a small group of dedicated conservationists, scientists, residents, nature lovers, wildlife advocates and recreationists identified the need to establish an organization whose sole purpose was to protect the magnificent Sky Island region. Those founders, many of whom remain intimately involved in the organization's successes and effort today, are working to ensure another 20 years of Sky Island conservation. The 2011 Founders Fund is a year-long campaign to raise $100,000 to keep SIA initiatives thriving and growing, to deepen and broaden support for the organization's work and its community engagement, and to provide resilience to the organization in a time of economic instability.
Three Upcoming SIA Events!
Annual Labor Day camp-out and 20 year celebration
September 3-5, Gray Hawk Nature Center, San Pedro River
Our annual Labor Day camping weekend has always been about fun and camaraderie... and this year we also celebrate 20 years as an organization! Enjoy a weekend of camping, or join us for the day, with fellow enthusiasts of the Sky Island region on the bank of the San Pedro River! Hike, bird watch, cook up your favorite campfire chili, or just relax and celebrate all things wild! See details here.
20th Anniversary Speakers Series - Come one, Come all!
Opening night Sept. 8 at 6:30 pm, following events on Sept. 15, 22, 29, and Oct. 12 at 7:30 pm
You're invited to SIA's 20th Anniversary Speakers Series including a diverse collection of authors, musicians, poets, scientists, photographers and storytellers who will share with the community their knowledge of and passion for the grandeur and diversity of the Sky Island region, inspiring the public through words, music and images.
The series' goal is to provide an opportunity for building appreciation of the natural beauty of the region, from an environmental perspective. Through stories, poems, history and images, speakers will connect the audience with peoples, cultures and history of the place they call home.
> Speakers Series flyer with speaker bios
Volunteer Appreciation Party
Saturday, October 8 - Rancho Cielo (east Tucson)
This year we are taking the party back to Rancho Cielo, a special piece of land nestled in the foothills of the Rincons next to Tanque Verde Wash. Join in the celebration for all of your hard work and thank our dedicated volunteers! Food, drink, games and prizes are just some of the highlights of this year's celebration. Come out for the afternoon or bring your camping gear and make it a fiesta to remember! Please RSVP to this event. Contact Andy to RSVP or for more info at andy@skyislandalliance.org, 520-624-7080 x24.
> See details to all events on our calendar page
New Poll: A Majority of Respondents Oppose Waiving Laws for Wall Construction; Americans Support Greater Investment in Ports of Entry; Not More Border Walls.
Read our press release here, and click here for detailed information on the poll results.
For more information, please contact Jenny Neeley, Conservation Policy Director, at 520-624-7080 x13 or
jenny@skyislandalliance.org.
Restoration Workshop
Induced Meandering/Erosion Control Restoration Assessment and Design Workshop
24–27 Oct & 31 Oct–02 Nov 2011
Sky Island Alliance is accepting applications for a seven-day intensive workshop led by Bill Zeedyk of Zeedyk Ecological Consulting, Albuquerque, NM. The workshop is broken into two sessions and will be held on Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area just southeast of Tucson. All food and lodging on site will be provided.
This workshop is an intensive introduction to natural creek and arroyo function, techniques of field surveys, the analysis of incised channels, reading the landscape, the design of induced meandering and erosion control structures, and project design and layout principles. The curriculum will include some classroom sessions but will focus extensively on field experience. > More details here (PDF)
For more information on the workshop and how to apply please contact Trevor Hare, Sky Island Alliance Landscape Restoration Program Manager at trevor@skyislandalliance.org or 520 624-7080 x14. Space is limited!
Jack_Dykinga.jpg "Border Wall - ©Jack Dykinga, Borderlands RAVE")
©Jack Dykinga
Sky Island Ecosystem Integrity in Jeopardy: Congressional Proposals Aim To Permanently Erase Environmental & Cultural Protection Laws Along All U.S. Borders, Coasts.
> Click here to learn more, and find out how you can help stop these proposals in their tracks.