Sonoran Desert Heritage
Aug 29 - Desmond Johns, Coordinator, Arizona Campaign - Wilderness Society described the many facets of the Sonoran Desert Heritage initiative. Desmond, with degrees in biology and many years as a
researcher, recently moved to her current position with the Wilderness
Society (an organization that began in 1935). She gave us a variety of
statistics about the various species (plants, mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, and birds) that call this desert home. In fact, the Sonoran Desert has a
colorful history which includes being the home of more than 15
different Indian tribes at one time or another. Desmond explained the
economic importance of the desert and why conservation is so important.
In a nutshell, the Sonoran Desert Heritage initiative is working to expand
conservation designations that:
Preserve the ecology, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities in the Sonoran Desert west of Phoenix;
Ensure the viability of nearby military facilities;
Allow for future renewable energy development;
Protect important wildlife habitat and migration corridors; and
Build connections between local communities and their public lands to increase stewardship and awareness about the values of the Sonoran Desert.
Preserve the ecology, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities in the Sonoran Desert west of Phoenix;
Ensure the viability of nearby military facilities;
Allow for future renewable energy development;
Protect important wildlife habitat and migration corridors; and
Build connections between local communities and their public lands to increase stewardship and awareness about the values of the Sonoran Desert.