August 2007 - Sky Island Rhythms

If you've been getting our eNews Alerts or reading the papers lately, you probably already know that earlier this month Congressman Raúl Grijalva introduced the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act (H.R. 3287) into Congress. Did you also know that the Tumacacori Highlands are home to endangered wildlife like the jaguar, the Chiricahua leopard frog and the Sonora chub. The area is one of the most diverse bird species habitats in the world.

The Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act of 2007 aims to preserve habitat for all these species, and more, and to preserve unspoiled wilderness for generations to come. With your help, we hope to get the the bill enacted before everyone in Washington takes off for the campaign trail next fall. We cleared a major hurdle with the introduction of the bill, but still more hurdles lay ahead. We can overcome these obstacles with your generous donation of time or money. It's only $35 per year to become a member of the Sky Island Alliance and it's free to volunteer your time. To learn more about Sky Island volunteer opportunities like riparian restoration and animal tracking, scroll down or visit the volunteer page of our site. To learn more about how to become a Friend of the Tumacacori Highlands, visit the Friends of the Tumacacori Highlands website.

Atascosa Ridge through Emory oaks on the Tumacacori Highlands.

The Future of the Jaguar and the Ocelot

While fencing projects rumble forward, the borderlands continue to reveal new wonders. Just a few dozen miles south of the Arizona border, in the Mexican Sky Islands, Sergio Avila is exploring little-known territory.

A biologist with the Sky Islands Alliance, a nonprofit group based in Tucson, Avila studies the area between the northernmost known breeding population of jaguars-the animals in and around the Los Pavos Ranch, a 10,000-acre reserve about 130 miles south of the border-and the jaguars sighted over the past decade in southern Arizona.

"We wanted to find out what was going on down here," says Avila, a native of central Mexico. "We're not only doing jaguar work but also getting to know people, and letting them get to know us."

Unlike the northern end of the Sky Islands region, which is largely public forest, much of the Sonoran part is private ranchland. So Avila has put his fluent Spanish and easy grin to work, gradually building relationships with ranchers.

The above article was excerpted from "Dead End," a thought-provoking article on the effects of U.S. immigration policy on the endangered large carnivores inhabiting the Arizona-Mexico borderland region. The article, written by Michele Nijius, originally appeared on page 64 of the September-October 2007 edition of Audubon Magazine and on the Audubon Magazine site.

Wildlife Linkages program accepting applications for 2007 tracking workshop. Sky Island Alliance is seeking dedicated "citizen scientists" who can commit to an exciting conservation program on a long-term basis. This fall we will be traveling to Rancho El Aribabi in northern Sonora for the first leg of our tracking workshop, October 26, 27 and 28. The second session will be located at a yet-to-be-determined site in southern Arizona December 1 and 2.

Our tracking volunteers monitor the presence of large mammals, such as mountain lion, black bear, jaguar, and Mexican gray wolf between the mountain ranges of the Sky Island region. Volunteers collect data by conducting "track surveys" where they search for and document signs left by wildlife. Volunteers follow strict guidelines and adhere to a six-week survey interval to ensure the scientific viability of our data. Collected data strengthen our efforts to advocate for protection of important wildlife corridors.

For more information, please visit our site or contact Janice Przybyl, Wildlife Linkages Program Coordinator, at janice@skyislandalliance.org or (520) 624-7080x15.

Summit Hut sale benefits SIA. Thinking about checking out the rugged heart of the Tumacacori Highlands this fall? Perhaps you'll be visiting the Peloncillos or following snowy tracks in the Chiricahuas this winter. No matter what part of the Sky Islands you visit, you'll need to stay warm and Summit Hut has a way for you to protect yourself from the elements and support Sky Island Alliance at the same time.

Starting this fall, Tucson area Summit Hut stores will be selling the Mountain Hardwear "Micro Ozone Zip T", a favorite fleece pullover for nature lovers of all stripes, at the discounted price of $79! (The pullover normally retails for $90.) Not only will you get a great deal on the perfect fleece, but Sky Island Alliance will get a portion of the proceeds of each fleece sold. The sale is going on now, but only runs while supplies last, so hurry down to Summit Hut before it's too late!

Gallery benefit for Sky Island Alliance continues. ArtsEye Gallery, located at 3550 E. Grant Rd. in Tucson, is currently exhibiting the work of Andre Bruwer, known for his elegant ink and carbon nature prints. Not only is this a chance to support a local artist and gallery, but it's also a chance to support the local Sky Island ecosystem. ArtsEye is donating the proceeds from the sale of the first print in each series to Sky Island Alliance. The benefit continues until Nov. 9, but act fast before all the first prints are gone! If you have missed out on the first print of a series you just love, you can still support Sky Island Alliance by signing up for a $35 annual membership or making a more generous donation.

SIA hires development associate. Sky Island Alliance is pleased to welcome Moniqua Lane. Moniqua joins SIA as Development Associate, and will focus her energies on increasing membership and unrestricted funds. Moniqua has worked in a fundraising capacity with a variety of political and social service non-profits and looks forward to a great, new experience with the conservation movement. If you have any questions or ideas regarding your membership specifically, or membership generally, or fundraising, Moniqua is happy to chat with you. She can be reached at (520) 624-7080x17 or at moniqua@skyislandalliance.org.

Not a member? Sky Island Alliance is embarking on a new member drive. If you've been reading this newsletter or checking out other national and local news sources lately, you know Sky Island Alliance is working to preserve and protect your favorite mountain escapes. If you're not already supporting us with your membership, please think about doing so now. Joining only takes a moment and your dues go to support programs like Wilderness and Special Designations, Wildlife Linkages, Landscape Restoration and Jaguars of the Sonoran Sky Islands. Your membership also includes a subscription to Restoring Connections, Sky Island Alliance's crtically-acclaimed journal.

We want to continue to reach out to those who share an interest in protecting our beautiful landscapes. Please tell friends and co-workers they can receive our monthly eNewsletter by signing up for it here.


Become a Member of Sky Island Alliance Volunteer with Sky Island Alliance \| Visit Our Website
Some of you may have noticed that we're a bit late with our August eNewsletter. Here it is, already September! Between the excitement of getting the Tumacacori Highlands Bill introduced into Congress and hiring a new Development Associate, we've been a bit busy. Please expect the September edition of "Rhythms" to appear in your inboxes at the end of this month, as usual.
Sky Island Alliance P.O. Box 41165 Tucson, AZ 85717 520.624.7080 www.skyislandalliance.org Sky Island News In the Wilderness - A visit to the Tumacacori Highlands reveals... Forest plan limits winter trail use, cuts picnic areas Arizona Illustrated feature on the Tumacacori Highlands bill (video) Tucson-based enviro group files intent to sue Interior Department Asarco wants Rosemont back Great Groups! Wild By Nature Republicans for Environmental Protection Arizona Native Plant Society Click here to read the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection's newsletter.		Tumacacori Wilderness Act Hits Congress If you've been getting our eNews Alerts or reading the papers lately, you probably already know that earlier this month Congressman Raúl Grijalva introduced the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act (H.R. 3287) into Congress. Did you also know that the Tumacacori Highlands are home to endangered wildlife like the jaguar, the Chiricahua leopard frog and the Sonora chub. The area is one of the most diverse bird species habitats in the world. The Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act of 2007 aims to preserve habitat for all these species, and more, and to preserve unspoiled wilderness for generations to come. With your help, we hope to get the the bill enacted before everyone in Washington takes off for the campaign trail next fall. We cleared a major hurdle with the introduction of the bill, but still more hurdles lay ahead. We can overcome these obstacles with your generous donation of time or money. It's only $35 per year to become a member of the Sky Island Alliance and it's free to volunteer your time. To learn more about Sky Island volunteer opportunities like riparian restoration and animal tracking, scroll down or visit the volunteer page of our site. To learn more about how to become a Friend of the Tumacacori Highlands, visit the Friends of the Tumacacori Highlands website. Atascosa Ridge through Emory oaks on the Tumacacori Highlands. The Future of the Jaguar and the Ocelot While fencing projects rumble forward, the borderlands continue to reveal new wonders. Just a few dozen miles south of the Arizona border, in the Mexican Sky Islands, Sergio Avila is exploring little-known territory. A biologist with the Sky Islands Alliance, a nonprofit group based in Tucson, Avila studies the area between the northernmost known breeding population of jaguars-the animals in and around the Los Pavos Ranch, a 10,000-acre reserve about 130 miles south of the border-and the jaguars sighted over the past decade in southern Arizona. "We wanted to find out what was going on down here," says Avila, a native of central Mexico. "We're not only doing jaguar work but also getting to know people, and letting them get to know us." Unlike the northern end of the Sky Islands region, which is largely public forest, much of the Sonoran part is private ranchland. So Avila has put his fluent Spanish and easy grin to work, gradually building relationships with ranchers. Read More The above article was excerpted from "Dead End," a thought-provoking article on the effects of U.S. immigration policy on the endangered large carnivores inhabiting the Arizona-Mexico borderland region. The article, written by Michele Nijius, originally appeared on page 64 of the September-October 2007 edition of Audubon Magazine and on the Audubon Magazine site. Wildlife Linkages program accepting applications for 2007 tracking workshop. Sky Island Alliance is seeking dedicated "citizen scientists" who can commit to an exciting conservation program on a long-term basis. This fall we will be traveling to Rancho El Aribabi in northern Sonora for the first leg of our tracking workshop, October 26, 27 and 28. The second session will be located at a yet-to-be-determined site in southern Arizona December 1 and 2. Our tracking volunteers monitor the presence of large mammals, such as mountain lion, black bear, jaguar, and Mexican gray wolf between the mountain ranges of the Sky Island region. Volunteers collect data by conducting "track surveys" where they search for and document signs left by wildlife. Volunteers follow strict guidelines and adhere to a six-week survey interval to ensure the scientific viability of our data. Collected data strengthen our efforts to advocate for protection of important wildlife corridors. For more information, please visit our site or contact Janice Przybyl, Wildlife Linkages Program Coordinator, at janice@skyislandalliance.org or (520) 624-7080x15. _____________________________________ Summit Hut sale benefits SIA. Thinking about checking out the rugged heart of the Tumacacori Highlands this fall? Perhaps you'll be visiting the Peloncillos or following snowy tracks in the Chiricahuas this winter. No matter what part of the Sky Islands you visit, you'll need to stay warm and Summit Hut has a way for you to protect yourself from the elements and support Sky Island Alliance at the same time. Starting this fall, Tucson area Summit Hut stores will be selling the Mountain Hardwear "Micro Ozone Zip T", a favorite fleece pullover for nature lovers of all stripes, at the discounted price of $79! (The pullover normally retails for $90.) Not only will you get a great deal on the perfect fleece, but Sky Island Alliance will get a portion of the proceeds of each fleece sold. The sale is going on now, but only runs while supplies last, so hurry down to Summit Hut before it's too late! _____________________________________ Gallery benefit for Sky Island Alliance continues. ArtsEye Gallery, located at 3550 E. Grant Rd. in Tucson, is currently exhibiting the work of Andre Bruwer, known for his elegant ink and carbon nature prints. Not only is this a chance to support a local artist and gallery, but it's also a chance to support the local Sky Island ecosystem. ArtsEye is donating the proceeds from the sale of the first print in each series to Sky Island Alliance. The benefit continues until Nov. 9, but act fast before all the first prints are gone! If you have missed out on the first print of a series you just love, you can still support Sky Island Alliance by signing up for a $35 annual membership or making a more generous donation. Check out Tucson Weekly's review of the show and the gallery. _____________________________________ SIA hires development associate. Sky Island Alliance is pleased to welcome Moniqua Lane. Moniqua joins SIA as Development Associate, and will focus her energies on increasing membership and unrestricted funds. Moniqua has worked in a fundraising capacity with a variety of political and social service non-profits and looks forward to a great, new experience with the conservation movement. If you have any questions or ideas regarding your membership specifically, or membership generally, or fundraising, Moniqua is happy to chat with you. She can be reached at (520) 624-7080x17 or at moniqua@skyislandalliance.org. ______________________________________ Not a member? Sky Island Alliance is embarking on a new member drive. If you've been reading this newsletter or checking out other national and local news sources lately, you know Sky Island Alliance is working to preserve and protect your favorite mountain escapes. If you're not already supporting us with your membership, please think about doing so now. Joining only takes a moment and your dues go to support programs like Wilderness and Special Designations, Wildlife Linkages, Landscape Restoration and Jaguars of the Sonoran Sky Islands. Your membership also includes a subscription to Restoring Connections, Sky Island Alliance's crtically-acclaimed journal. _____________________________________ Landscape Restoration Program Field Schedule Check it out! skyislandalliance.org/calendar.htm For more information, contact Trevor at (520) 624-7080x14 or at trevor@skyislanalliance.org. _____________________________________ We want to continue to reach out to those who share an interest in protecting our beautiful landscapes. Please tell friends and co-workers they can receive our monthly eNewsletter by signing up for it here.