Santa Cruz River Initiative

“Running water is something for a southwesterner to get excited about. It’s scarce, it’s cool, it’s wet, and it creates an oasis of shade, a green retreat from the sun and desiccation of the surrounding country.”  Going Back to Bisbee - Richard Shelton

Reclaiming an Oasis in the Desert - Tony Paniagua, Arizona Public Media

While rivers and riparian areas provide numerous benefits to human communities, they are among the most endangered ecosystems. In the southwest, riparian areas constitute less than 2% of the land area, but support the highest density and abundance of plants and animals in the region. The Santa Cruz River is a visible green ribbon of life connecting the U.S. (Arizona) and Mexico (Sonora), bridging rural and urban landscapes, joining together diverse stakeholders, and providing important habitat for wildlife. The Santa Cruz River is therefore critical to the ecological integrity of southeastern Arizona and northwestern Sonora.  

In an arid region where water is scarce, the greatest challenges to conserving river systems are balancing competing demands and engaging local communities in collaborative conservation actions. The Sonoran Institute’s Santa Cruz River Initiative is responding to these challenges by focusing on four components:

•  Science-based Outreach: A Living River -- report series charting health of Upper Santa Cruz River

•  Water Harvesting and Restoration

•  Innovative Policy

•  Water for the Environment: Conserve to Enhance -- linking water savings with river restoration 

The project’s approach, spirit, and priorities highlight the long-term benefits of involving diverse stakeholders in stewardship of natural resources – in the Santa Cruz River watershed and river basins throughout the West.

Read more in the Santa Cruz River Initiative document