Santa Rita Mountains

Open Pit Mining Update

On Tuesday, The Living Desert Alliance joined forces with multiple community organizations including the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas (SSSR), the Great Old Broads for the Wilderness, to discuss strategies to challenge the Copper World, Inc. project, including the Aquifer Permit and deny them open pit mining rights slated for the destruction of the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains, the pollution of water critical for supporting life and the general devastation of the flora and fauna that depend on the Santa Rita Mountains and its resources their very survival.

As you may recall from previous Living Desert Alliance newsletters, attempts by Copper World, Inc to quick start this project have been challenged by the SSSR, multiple community groups, and the public who have exposed the lies, untruths, and distortion of facts by Copper World, Inc, its subsidiaries and supporters.

This committee of concerned citizens is organizing to prioritize efforts and continue the fight to stop this disaster from happening. The Living Desert Alliance is pleased to participate and support this struggle. We will keep our members informed as it progresses and present opportunities to participate in meetings, letter-writing campaigns, other ways to voice your concerns. 

Defeating this permit and saving the Santa Rita Mountains supports our mission to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.

Click our website link to learn more about

the effects of open pit mining on the environment.

Water Open House

Wednesday, May 29th

Marana Civic Center

Marana and Tucson water customers within the Town of Marana are invited to attend a water open house on May 29^th, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the Marana Police Department Community Room, 11555W. Civic Center Drive.

Attendees will have an opportunity to listen to speakers, ask questions about Marana designation of assured water supply (DAWS), Marana water services, Tucson water services in Marana and more.

A great opportunity to learn about our precious water resources and gain first-hand knowledge of the views and operations of both water departments.

Habitat Restoration Day

Saturday June 1st

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Last week's Living Desert Alliance newsletter focused on the great work the Coalition for Desert Protection is doing maintaining the Oracle Road Wildlife Crossing.

Here's an opportunity for you, or perhaps a family member or friend, to volunteer and become a part of the Desert Wildlife Crossing Crew. Your efforts will help them create and maintain native habitat on the Oracle Road Wildlife crossings!

This project will include removing invasive species, enhancing wildlife habitat by planting native plants and seed mixes, and watering plants. 

If you are unable to help out, please forward this information to family or friends who might be interested. This is a great way to learn about this amazing project while meeting folks with like-minded conservation and community interests.

Habitat Restoration Day Volunteer Link

Did you know?

A Sonoran Desert tortoise like the one pictured above was the first wildlife species to be recorded trying to use the Oracle Road wildlife crossings? When the wildlife underpass was being built in 2015, construction workers found a tortoise crawling over mounds of dirt towards the partially built underpass (they made sure the tortoise safely crossed to the other side).