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Sonoran Desert Region
Our Regional Work: Sonoran Desert Heritage Campaign
Snakes, Saguaros, and Sunsets: Protecting the Icons of Arizona
Species Diversity | Geological
Significance | Recreational Opportunities
| Get Involved
 The
Sonoran Desert Heritage Campaign is Arizona Wilderness Coalition’s
(AWC) flagship initiative in Central Arizona, focused on conserving a
vast swath of pristine Sonoran Desert, home to the largest population
of desert bighorn sheep in the country. Saguaro-studded hills and mountains
stretch from the outskirts of Wickenburg to the remote wilderness of the
Sonoran Desert National Monument, forming a 800,000 acre arc of soon-to-be
protected areas within western Maricopa County.
Mountain Crags and Fields of Cactus
The Sand Tank, Gila Bend, and Harquahala Mountains - among others –
are ideal icons for the last, best places in Arizona’s world famous
Sonoran Desert. Filled with an unprecedented number of cultural and archaeological
resources, the Sonoran Desert offers an awe-inspiring natural environment.
Arizona’s history has been written in remnants of the Butterfield-Overland
Trail, petroglyph-lined canyons along the Gila River, the historic Anza
Trail, and many other historically significant places throughout the Sonoran
Desert region.
Urgent Action is Needed
The West Valley of Maricopa County currently hosts 21% of Phoenix’s
population, which will explode to 34% by 2030 as a key segment of one
of the nation’s fastest growing regions. This surge, which is occurring
even now during the recession, has enormous implications for the scenic,
biological, and cultural integrity of public lands at its fringe. A vision
for land and water conservation must match this ambitious growth if we
are to retain our natural and cultural heritage. The Sonoran Desert Heritage
Campaign is the quintessential component of conserving the land, water,
wildlife, recreational opportunities, and cultural resources in Arizona’s
western Sonoran Desert.
Our Plan for Action
AWC has developed blueprints for 500,000 acres of new wilderness designations
in the Sonoran Desert – all on existing public lands; comparable
in acreage to five Saguaro National Parks combined. Wilderness designation
for appropriate areas is the highest level of protection for federal lands
and cannot be removed for political or administrative interests. The new
wilderness designations are nested within two new and one existing National
Conservation Area(s) which provide a lesser level of protection, allowing
for roads, interpretative areas, mountain biking, and other more intensive
uses.
Wilderness areas and National Conservation Areas must be
legislated by the United States Congress, therefore AWC and partners are
working to facilitate the initiative with members of Arizona’s Congressional
delegation. Concurrently, we are engaged in myriad outreach activities
with stakeholders and the public, hosting presentations, field tours,
listening sessions, and negotiation talks. With a solid grassroots support
base, the proposal will have the necessary clout to gain the support of
congress and alleviate opposition.
Species Diversity
The semi-desert grassland ecosystems of central Arizona—rapidly
disappearing because of development—support pronghorn antelope,
deer, and elk. Thick riparian vegetation of willows and cottonwoods found
near canyons and river corridors nurtures numerous bird species, such
as wintering bald eagles, zone-tailed hawks, and a plethora of migrating
birds.
Other denizens of the central and south desert include Peregrine falcons,
lowland leopard frogs, desert tortoise, Mexican
garter snakes, Gila chub, common black hawks, and Gila monsters. Ironwood
Forest National Monument, for example, offers refuge for the last herd
of desert bighorn sheep in Pima County.
Lowland leopard frog.
Photo: Tom Brennan |
The Gila Monster, and the closely related Mexican beaded lizard, are
the only poisonous lizards in the world.
Photo by Diane Joy Schmidt with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. |
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Recreational
Opportunities
 The
Sonoran desert can be a wonderful and dangerous place at all times of
year, which is why many people find it so interesting to travel here.
In the winter people can enjoy mild daytime temperatures for hiking, backpacking,
birding, climbing, and photography. Nighttime temperatures can hover around
freezing. Two of the most beautiful times in the Sonoran Desert are after
the spring rains and during the summer monsoons. After the spring rains,
thousands of colorful flowers carpet the desert floor. During the summer
monsoons, unique desert amphibians and reptiles awaken to eat and breed.
Many of the reptiles that can be found are poisonous, such as rattlesnakes.
Watch your step and listen well!
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Get Involved
We always need help with our field inventory
and service projects. For more information regarding the Sonoran Desert
Heritage Campaign and public lands around metropolitan Phoenix, or to
get involved with our work in this region, please contact Aleah Sato,
Membership Coordinator, at 602-252-5530.
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