Sign the Letter of Support

We, the undersigned, call for federal protection of the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona as a national wildlife refuge.

The Santa Cruz River has been a storied spiritual and cultural place for the Tohono O’odham and their distinct ancestors, and the Pascua Yaqui people from time immemorial. The people of the San Xavier District, in particular, have ancestral ties to the flowing Santa Cruz River and the surrounding lands. The original homeland of the O’odham and their ancestors, including the Hohokam and Early Agricultural People, is located along the river, which they have stewarded for millennia. They continue to access these lands for ongoing cultural and religious practices.

For thousands of years, the Santa Cruz River and its underlying aquifer have supplied water to humans and wildlife throughout the Tucson Basin. Over the past century, increasing water demands have caused the river to dry up in places. However, recent efforts to improve water quality in the Santa Cruz River have proven successful, restoring nearly 40 miles of vibrant habitat that support the recovery of vegetation, wildlife, insects, and migratory birds. The river corridor, stretching from the Mexican border to the north of Marana, has become a transformational hub of ecological recovery and recreational opportunities, especially through Tucson, where historic rancherias and barrios along the Santa Cruz River exist within a fast-growing city of over 1 million people. 

Our vision is to establish a national wildlife refuge, creating a network of protected properties along the Santa Cruz River. This “string of pearls” would provide protected wildlife and plant habitat, outdoor access, and educational opportunities for surrounding communities. Anchored by Tucson, this refuge would offer shade, river access, and space for outdoor learning. With over 50 organizations and individuals in support, our coalition is inspired by ongoing restoration efforts like the San Xavier District’s Wa:k Hikdan project and is committed to preserving the river’s cultural and ecological legacy for generations to come.

We urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate Arizona’s next national wildlife refuge along the stretch of the Santa Cruz River from Mexico to Marana, ensuring the protection of its past, present, and future, as well as all who depend on it.