USFWS signs bi-country agreement to conserve the Santa Cruz River ecosystem

In a collaborative effort to revitalize the Santa Cruz River, recently declared one of the country's "most endangered" rivers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) entered into a Wildlife Partnership agreement with Pima County, Santa Cruz County, and the City of Tucson, made official at a signing ceremony hosted at the Historic Canoa Ranch on Thursday.

"I feel honored to be here and recognize this critical moment," said Martha Williams, USFWS Director, in a Pima County press release.

The goal of this Partnership, enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is to provide environmental education, promote care for natural, cultural, and wildlife resources, plan and implement educational programs together, create wildlife habitats, and find ways to support the Partnership's ongoing operations. This collaboration builds on decades of Indigenous and community restoration work that has been foundational to the recovery of vegetation, wildlife, insects, and migratory bird species.

The Partnership adds a regional layer of protection for the Tucson Basin and sets the stage for designating the proposed Santa Cruz River National Wildlife Refuge, which would be anchored in Rio Rico and Tucson.

"The signing of this Wildlife Partnership agreement is a meaningful step forward in recognizing the importance of the Santa Cruz River ecosystem, and we welcome the collaboration," said Mike Quigley, Arizona State Director of The Wilderness Society. "We look forward to working with USFWS and local communities and stakeholders to build upon this agreement to establish a National Wildlife Refuge along the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona-an idea that has strong support from every level: individuals and local community organizations, Santa Cruz and Pima Counties and the City of Tucson, the San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation and Arizona Governor Hobbs."

The next step in designating a wildlife refuge is for the FWS to initiate a Land Protection Plan, or LPP. The LPP, which includes an environmental assessment and opportunity for public comment, also includes information on refuge boundaries, co-management, and other collaboration opportunities.

To speak with our team in Arizona, contact Gaby Diaz, communications manager: [email protected]