Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection

Founded in 1998, the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection is comprised of 30 environmental and community organizations working to achieve the long-term conservation of biological diversity and ecological function of the Sonoran Desert through comprehensive land-use planning, with primary emphasis on Pima County's Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). We achieve this goal by combining scientific research, education and outreach, coalition building, advocacy, and grassroots activism in a variety of conservation projects and initiatives centered on the goals of the SDCP. The SDCP includes protections based on critical habitat, wildlife linkages, riparian areas, cultural resource protection and much more. The SDCP aims to balance the needs of the environment with the reality of growth by using the best available science to identify and preserve lands for conservation while directing development to other less biologically-valuable areas. Our major achievements include leading the community effort that resulted in the designation of Ironwood Forest National Monument in 2000; successfully advocating for the inclusion of $45 million in wildlife linkages funding in the $1.2 billion Regional Transportation Authority Plan in 2006; advocating for strong conservation measures in Pima County's Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, approved in 2016; and facilitating the construction of the Sonoran Desert'​ first wildlife bridge across Oracle Road, finished in 2016. We also have a vibrant volunteer-driven Remote Wildlife Camera Monitoring Project, managed by 40+ volunteers. Three staff members leverage the ongoing work and participation of Coalition member groups into meaningful and tangible change for the Sonoran Desert. The Coalition is an effective unified and influential advocacy group; we are the lead environmental advocate, commentator and facilitator on Sonoran Desert conservation efforts.