Support Grows for Santa Cruz River National Wildlife Refuge Proposal
There’s increasing momentum for a National Wildlife Refuge along the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona, almost like water flowing downhill. The latest boost came from the Tucson City Council, which unanimously voted on Wednesday to support the initiative.
Since April, Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and Tojono Odamnation’s Sanxavier districts have come together to back the proposal for a 90-mile Santa Cruz River National Wildlife Refuge stretching from Mexico to Marana, with an eye on enhancing future riverside parks in Tucson.
This initiative is backed by a growing coalition of civic leaders, community groups, and environmental nonprofits. They see the refuge as a way to spotlight river corridors and restoration efforts, which is pretty important.
Currently, there are about 50 organizations and individuals showing their support. “Everyone seems to support the idea,” noted Mike Quigley, Arizona State manager, from one of the founding groups. “It’s all approaching the green.”
The idea for this shelter first emerged in 2021, and over the past year, representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior have been visiting the area to learn more about it. Quigley mentioned that establishing the refuge doesn’t even need council approval. If Fish and Wildlife determines it’s a go, the Secretary of the Interior can proceed via administrative actions, possibly as early as next year.
Arizona is home to nine National Wildlife Refuge areas, including Buenos Aires and Cabezaprieta in Pima County. If the Santa Cruz River Refuge is designated, it will be the first wildlife sanctuary in Santa Cruz County and the first urban refuge in Arizona, serving areas with populations around 250,000.
Community-driven Support
Luke Cole, director of the Tucson-based Santa Cruz River Program, expressed that this urban wildlife refuge designation provides the best long-term federal protection for green spaces and wildlife. “This is not a grab for the land,” he added.
Quigley emphasized that landowners along the river can sell their properties to the government or put conservation easements in place to keep them protected from future development. The vision is to create a refuge that resembles “a patchwork” of gradually acquired properties. Interestingly, Andrew Jackson, a significant landowner in Santa Cruz County, has shown interest in contributing nearly 12 miles of his land along the river, which contains vital water sources for local ecosystems.
Jackson gained some attention last year when he proposed a mixed-use development plan for a large portion of land near the Interstate 19 corridor but later backed down due to community opposition. He did offer to include an open space easement as part of that project to preserve surrounding areas.
Looking Ahead
Cole pointed out that the refuge would pave the way for federal funding aimed at acquiring land and performing ongoing restoration work on the river. The Santa Cruz River runs 184 miles, starting in Santa Cruz County and winding south into Mexico before returning to the U.S. near Nogales, passing through various communities.
While the Santa Cruz is mostly dry now, it once supported vibrant agricultural communities and missions. Unfortunately, by the mid-20th century, human activity contributed to its decline. However, there are ongoing efforts to restore water flow, with nearly $2 billion invested in wastewater treatment improvements over several decades helping to revive about 40 miles of the river.
During a recent City Council vote, river advocates celebrated progress, coinciding with Pima County’s marking of a drainage area that had undergone treatment for a decade. The latest report from the Sonoran Research Institute highlights positive environmental changes along the river, including the reintroduction of native fish and the growth of new habitats.
As Cole stated, designating the refuge would only accelerate these restoration efforts. It’s not just about the river, either. Rebecca Perez from the Wilderness Association mentioned that this initiative acknowledges the historical stewardship of Indigenous communities and addresses environmental justice issues faced by marginalized groups formerly living near the riverbanks.
Perez expressed the coalition’s commitment to developing the refuge to genuinely reflect community needs, with diverse grassroots support from various local groups, including history associations and environmental advocates.
The vision involves expanding restored areas of the river, ensuring equitable access for the community, but Quigley notes that bringing lasting changes will require years and years of dedicated work. Declaring the area a refuge is just the start.
