Articles
The Babocomari River is a tributary of the San Pedro River, supporting Cottonwood gallery forests and beaver habitat. Watershed Management Group has been working on a beaver habitat restoration project in this area since 2023 and we look forward to continuing the work with your help!We are hosting a miriad of different workshops this season to support this effort, including a cottonwood and...
By: Lisa Shipek and Catlow ShipekNewsflash: Tucson will be building its first facility to turn recycled wastewater into drinking water. This project — often referred to as “toilet-to-tap” — seemed like a distant future until last week’s announcement. The entire project will be funded by the Bureau of Reclamation, which is covering the costs as part of a negotiation to forgo a portion of...
Arizona Illustrated recently featured WMG’s project with Prince Elementary School where we built a rain garden and engaged kids in hands-on learning.Watch the video here“Imitating nature is part of the educational process,” said Joaquin Murrieta, Cultural Ecologist Director at WMG.We planted native shade trees and pollinator plants alongside students, staff, parents, and volunteers from St...
The River Run Network is a group of people working together to restore Tucson's heritage of flowing creeks and rivers - which means restoring the Santa Cruz River and its tributaries.The River Run Network includes all of the Tucson basin, with a focus on target restoration areas, called streamsheds. Streamsheds are specific stream sections and the adjacent land area that most influences the...
We have a lot to be proud of, restoring desert rivers, expanding green jobs, and conserving water for future generations. Will you keep our momentum going strong into 2025 with a donation today? Make a bigger impact by setting up a monthly gift or donating stock.Our Top Ten Accomplishments for 2024#10: The Tanque Verde Creek is feeling loved! New cottonwoods and...
Donations are WMG’s primary source of funding and your gift ensures we can continue and bolster our big initiatives to restore our desert rivers, make water harvesting and hydro-local living common practice, and create cooler, healthier cities. Our ask is urgent: we are short $47,000 to reach our year-end fundraising goal, and we must raise these funds to continue our planned programming....
In desert cities like Phoenix and Tucson, intense heat and intense flooding are dual problems, exacerbated by how we've built our cities and climate change. Green stormwater infrastructure can mitigate both flooding and heat by harvesting stormwater to grow shade trees and other native plants.With donor support, WMG has been a leader in promoting community-based green infrastructure,...
Help us remove the invasive Arundo donax plant to restore natural water flows and native habitats in the Tanque Verde Creek and beyond. Arundo grows quickly and uses up to four times the water of native plants, threatening our desert ecosystem. By volunteering with WMG's River Run Network, you can make a difference in bringing back a healthier, greener riparian forest across the Tucson Basin.We...
WMG is dedicated to restoring our desert rivers and partnering with beavers to expand our precious wetlands and riparian forests. This fall, 120 volunteers joined our 4th annual binational beaver survey along the San Pedro River in Arizona and Sonora Mexico, where we searched for signs of activity such as dams, lodges, and tree chews.“I love wildlife and hiking and getting out and contributing to...
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, an inspiring transformation is taking root – and Watershed Management Group is proud to be a part of it. This coming year, we’re joining forces with GROW Tucson to help turn some of our city’s hottest neighborhoods into cool, thriving green spaces.At Watershed Management Group, we know that meaningful change happens when communities and ecosystems grow together...
All aboard the Polar Express! On December 19th, believe with us and enjoy this festive ride for clean air, a healthy watershed, and public transportation for all people.We’ll be boarding the Polar Express, our local, free Sun Tran bus system, right from WMG’s Living Lab. With stops at Casa Video for complimentary popcorn and $1 off draft beer along with the final destination at Hotel Congress for...
There are many tax-smart ways to give to WMG! Consider giving stock, cryptocurrency, an IRA contribution, or a Donor-Advised Fund grant to WMG. These types of donations can now be done seamlessly through a new partnership with Freewill, at Freewill.com/smartgiving/WMG. Click on any of the images below to learn about each of these tax-smart ways to give to WMG.
On Friday, November 15, Watershed Management Group (WMG) and volunteers had the privilege of spending the day at the San Xavier Co-op Farm, nestled within the ancestral lands of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Our visit offered a glimpse into the farm’s mission to honor its heritage while fostering sustainability. From touring demonstration gardens showcasing traditional tepary beans to planting 20...
On Friday, November 15, Watershed Management Group (WMG) and volunteers had the privilege of spending the day at the San Xavier Co-op Farm, nestled within the ancestral lands of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Our visit offered a glimpse into the farm’s mission to honor its heritage while fostering sustainability. From touring demonstration gardens showcasing traditional tepary beans to planting 20...
Bring the family and enjoy a winter night at the Living Lab! Learn more and register here!Join us for a special evening edition of Family Saturday, February 15, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The whole family can enjoy a night out, with activities for all...
What does our watershed sound like? We invite you to soak in this unique sound experience performed by UA School of Music faculty artists with traditional O'odham singing and readings by Alison Hawthorne Deming. This free concert series is at WMG's Living Lab in midtown Tucson, made possible through a collaborative grant with the UA. Learn more and register here:Friday, November 22nd concert...
World premiere of a new multimedia piece inspired by local riparian soundscapesTraditional O'odham singingPerformances by UA School of Music faculty artistsReadings by Alison Hawthorne Deming and Gretchen Ernster HendersonMusic by Carolina Heredia, Sergei Prokofiev, Yuanyuan Kay He, and Lachlan SkipworthVisual art by Heather Bird HarrisMEET THE PERFORMERSPhilip Alejo, bassCassandra Bendickson,...
On October 25, Watershed Management Group (WMG) teamed up with International Rescue Committee/New Roots Farm to install a rain garden, bringing together community members to learn about and create a green infrastructure solution that will help mitigate flooding and provide much needed shade. The installation was a hands-on learning opportunity for everyone involved, demonstrating how rain...
Sustainable Mobility: Redefining the Way We MoveWelcome to our Sustainable Mobility Series, an innovative program designed to revolutionize how we think about and engage in daily transportation. This series is a great way to make real changes to your day-to-day life, both big and small!Why Join the Series?Explore Sustainable Travel Options: Learn about diverse, environmentally-friendly ways to...
Next Family Saturday | Próximo Sábado Familiar:Beavers, Dams, and River Jams!November 16th, 2024 | 9:00am-12:00pm Join us at the Living Lab on Saturday, November 16 from 9:00am - 12:00pm to learn about the return of beavers to Tucson's rivers and what you can do to help them. This event is free for the whole family! For this month’s featured activity, learn about beavers through...
Restore Tanque Verde Creek: Join the Effort!Help us remove the invasive Arundo donax plant to restore natural water flows and native habitats in the Tanque Verde Creek. Arundo grows quickly and uses up to four times the water of native plants, threatening our desert ecosystem. By volunteering with WMG's River Run Network, you can make a difference in bringing back a healthier, greener riparian...
Why Sustainable Mobility?Combat Urban Heat: Tucson is now 11 degrees warmer on average than it was 100 years ago. Half of that is due to our built environmentCool Our City: By shifting to sustainable mobility, we can help reduce the city’s temperature by up to 5 degreesHealthy & Equitable: Sustainable transportation supports the well-being of the watershed and peopleUpcoming EventsBus Ride...
As the spirit of Giving Tuesday sweeps the nation, celebrate the joy of water stewardship at Watershed Management Group’s annual Rainwater on Tap Happy Hour!This December 3rd, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at our very own living lab, enjoy innovative rainwater concoctions - cocktails, mocktails, and teas, paired with dinner from our neighbors Bashful Bandit Barbeque. Experience firsthand how to collect...