Protected Natural Desert Environment

Definition: Includes protection of the Sonoran desert eco-system and protection of washes, hillsides, open space, and wildlife

What the community said:

• "Preserve our special desert environment."
• "Restore the health of local natural ecosystems within the urban area."
• "Save our natural environment; stop the scrape and rape mentality."
• Preserve the wildlands that surround us."
• "People need places to go to gain appreciation of nature."
• "We need to maintain the Sonoran Desert."
• "Our desert and its wildlife are fast disappearing. More open spaces and planning to sustain our desert environment are needed as well as more education of our citizens on how to do this."

• Intergovernmental Relations – providing technical assistance on grant applications geared toward protecting the natural desert environment
• Special Projects – administering the Civano Project, which will leave over 35% of its site in open and natural condition
• Fire – coordinating clean up of hazardous materials found on public lands when no responsible party can be found and preventing destruction of natural desert vegetation by fighting wildfires
• Planning – implementing the native plant preservation ordinance and working to designate properties as open space
• Parks and Recreation – designing and administering Case and Northside Parks as natural desert parks, supporting Atterbury Wash Bird Sanctuary, and maintaining Sweetwater Wetlands in conjunction with the Tucson Water Department

Key Indicators of Progress:

1. Ratio of protected natural desert to total developed land The ratio of open to developed land measures the balance between the urban and the natural environment. It tells how well we are preserving the desert as we continue to grow. Aerial photographs and computer-aided mapping can provide this information.

Staff is researching the best way to collect and report the data for this Indicator.

2. Area of preserved or restored urban washes and wildlife corridors This indicator describes the total amount of natural corridor area and, because washes extend throughout the city, how many neighborhoods have nearby contact with nature. City and County engineering departments can develop these figures.

Staff is researching the best way to collect and report the data for this Indicator.

3. Population and diversity of key native wildlife species Native species require a healthy ecosystem, so this indicator measures the success of desert preservation efforts across the community. This assessment can be performed by scientists or trained citizen observers each year.

Source: Staff is researching how this can be accomplished. The Chief of Resource Management for the Saguaro National Park stated that they do not keep counts of any plant or animal species at this time, but they are interested in having this information. Arizona Game and Fish does count game species, but only in areas where hunting is allowed.

4. Miles of trails and bikeways in desert preserves in eastern Pima County The total length of trails in natural areas near Tucson helps to know how many convenient opportunities exist for people to connect with their desert environment. Determining an amount per person tells us whether our preservation efforts are keeping pace with increases in population. Public recreation agencies can assemble this information.

Staff is researching the best way to collect and report the data for this Indicator.

What YOU Can Do

• Respect desert habitat and wildlife
• Learn about different native species of plants and animals
• Visit the Sonoran Desert Museum, Tohono Chul Park, the Botanical Gardens, and Sabino Canyon
• Go for a hike (and stay on the trails)
• Support development that respects native habitat and desert wildlife
• Smell the flowers