By America the Beautiful for All

Posted: Tuesday, July  2, 2024, by Comms Team

The America the Beautiful for All Coalition Wildlife Workgroup expresses support for the Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge designation in southern Arizona. The establishment of this urban national wildlife refuge would meaningfully contribute to the administration’s America the Beautiful initiative and be a historic example of a locally-led, community-driven conservation and restoration of a culturally and ecologically significant landscape.

The vision for the Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge involves an archipelago of protected properties along the Santa Cruz River that would offer permanent wildlife habitat, outdoor access, and ecotourism. The land in the urban core would anchor this “string of pearls,” offering shade, river access, and outdoor education for the neighboring communities. The Santa Cruz River corridor offers abundant recreation opportunities, including birdwatching at Sweetwater Wetlands, and cycling and walking along the award-winning 137-mile Chuck Huckelberry Loop, a beloved paved recreation trail with dozens of access points that runs alongside the Santa Cruz River and its major tributaries.

Local leaders, alongside restoration volunteers, have created over 17 miles of vibrant habitat that has been foundational to the recovery of native vegetation, wildlife, insects, reptiles, fish and migratory birds. Collaborations between governments, academics, non- profits and volunteers have helped establish the importance of the river corridor for wildlife and connectivity to the surrounding Sky Island mountain ranges. The people of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation have ancestral ties to the flowing Santa Cruz River and the lands around it. The original homeland of the Tohono O’odham Nation is located near what is now downtown Tucson on the river, which the people of the Nation have stewarded for millennia. They continue to access these lands for ongoing cultural and religious practices.

The America the Beautiful for All Coalition Wildlife Workgroup requests the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designate the country’s newest urban national wildlife refuge, the Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge, along the length of the Santa Cruz, south and north of the San Xavier District, in Santa Cruz and Pima Counties to preserve the river’s past, present and future.

“Designation of the Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge would be a celebrated win for community-led conservation efforts. A new national wildlife refuge would protect important habitat for the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher and hundreds more animals, all while ensuring access for Tucson residents and visitors to connect with nature and cherished wildlife.” – Jewel Tomasula, Policy Advisory at Endangered Species Coalition.

“The Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge is a critical step towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to experience and benefit from the beauty and biodiversity of our natural world. Access to urban green spaces and wildlife sanctuaries is essential for the well-being of marginalized communities. These areas provide critical opportunities for recreation, education, and a connection to nature that enriches our lives and cultural heritage. This refuge will not only protect vital habitats but also foster a sense of stewardship and belonging.” — Adrian Angulo, Campaign and Program Director at Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project.