Articles
We did it! Thanks to the support of donors like you, WMG was able to exceed our fundraising goal and raise $228,460 during our spring campaign. Your support has stabilized our budget in these uncertain times, and given us the confidence to continue our programs for the rest of the year.Thank you for empowering us to continue our mission, and we can't wait for what's ahead!...
Every bag of trash makes a difference! Join us this May for an event focused on creek care and beautification.We’ll target areas where debris and invasive plants have collected to make the space cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for people and wildlife. Tools and supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring gloves, a water bottle, and loppers if you have them. The site is easily accessible...
“You do it the WMG way, you do it the right way,” Martha Retallick said, standing near a flourishing pomegranate tree nurtured by greywater from her laundry system.Martha has been involved with WMG since 2007 when she volunteered for the first time at a water harvesting project at the Ward 3 Tucson City Council office. Through learning about rainwater harvesting with WMG, she has since...
I told many friends I was taking a water harvesting design certification course this spring. I got back many kind-but-honest texts: So cool! What is that? At first, I picture a big plastic rain tank. It’s sitting off to the side of a bare yard, baking in the sun. It’s technically doing something good—collecting water—but it feels a little disconnected, like a gadget added onto a home rather...
Join us for a hands-on science adventure as we track the creek’s recovery from invasive Arundo and restore native habitat. You'll help survey plants using a simple method called transects—no experience needed! Our team will guide you in identifying native riparian species. It’s a fun, educational way to explore nature, learn about our restoration work, and make a real impact.Click on one of the...
Summit Hut Volunteer DaySaturday, April 19th @ 4:30pm - 6:30pmRegister HereFor this special event, we're partnering with Summit Hut! As a thank you for your hard work, they will be giving away Cotopaxi waist packs to the first 30 volunteers. We'll focus on trash pick up in this area and there will be an opportunity to remove small Arundo stands if you would like to support that effort....
The Watershed Soundscape project is building Hydro-Local community through music, art, and watershed science. We're celebrating our desert waters through a year-long series of multidisciplinary concerts and workshops, and arts activities. A collaboration between the UA School of Music, WMG and other community organizations, this year-long initiative explores themes of stewardship,...
We're kicking off our Spring Campaign! Our goal this spring is to raise $200,000 to help us adjust to the uncertainty of federal grant cutbacks. We have $60,000 in matching funds for this campaign, so your dollar will go further! Your donation funds our community conservation programs that help cool our desert cities, job training initiatives, and river restoration work.Watch the video...
Cooling ConsultationsContact Nicole Parks at nparks@watershedmg.orgDo you have a space that retains or reflects too much heat? Hire us for a consultation and a WMG staff member will come out, identify hot zones in your area and provide you with a plan to address those hot spots using the natural evaporative cooling power of plants!Why use plants, instead of a shade structure?Due to the heat...
Exciting News: More Opportunities to Help Restore Tanque Verde Creek!We're adding a second weekly Arundo removal event on Thursdays! Due to changes in our federal funding, we're shifting more work time to our state-funded projects — great news for the Tanque Verde ecosystem as we expand our restoration efforts.See the list of workshops below, you can click on the links to register:Thursday, April...
WMG's programs are made possible by a strong community of volunteers. Learn about ways to dig in deeper at our Open House, and see how your talents and passions can make a difference on our board of directors, as a docent, through our River Run Network, or as an ambassador at our Living Lab.Join us at the Living Lab on Monday, March 24th from 5:30 - 7pm to learn more!RSVP Here
We've got 3 more months to tackle Arundo this season! Arundo grows aggressively, consuming precious water, crowding out native plants, and increasing flood and fire risks. By removing this invasive species, we’re making space for native vegetation, improving groundwater recharge, and working toward a future with restored creek flow.Join us for hands-on restoration...
Our popular one-day Desert Living Home Tour is now a monthly series! Tours will be offered in the spring and fall, so keep an eye out as new tours are offered.Christian & Joaquin's Desert OasisChristian and Joaquin will immerse you into their Sonoran Desert oasis of their home, their backyard is undulating with rain gardens that feed a variety of native plants that provide shelter for...
Join the River Run Network for restoration workshops in the Rillito this month, where we’ll remove invasive Arundo and clean up trash to help restore this vital habitat.Arundo (giant reed) threatens our local waterways by outcompeting native plants and reducing water flow—but together, we can make a difference! Come out to Brandi Fenton Park on March 1st and 15th to support.This event is a great...
Hear directly from our team about how the federal grant freeze is affecting our work, and why your support matters.Watch the video on YouTube
Explore the confluence of Tanque Verde and Sabino Creeks with Lisa Shipek, WMG's Executive Director on Saturday, February 22nd @ 3pm - 5pm (register here)You'll walk upstream along Sabino Creek, weaving through the sandy floodplain, shallow waters, and cottonwood forest. Learn more about what this area would have looked like historically and what you can do to help restore groundwater levels...
By Lisa ShipekMany of you may be wondering how the Executive Orders of the Trump administration are impacting WMG. We were initially concerned that new grant revenue would be impacted by the Trump administration, however, the Executive Orders are impacting our funding now. The current reality creates uncertainty for our staff and programs. My number one priority is developing a rapid...
We are starting out the month of February by heading into the Rillito near Curtis Park to keep trash out of our creeks and remove the invasive species Arundo donax. We will bring everything you need to participate in this effort to pick up trash and remove the invasive species, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies as well! We recommend bringing your favorite set of gloves, a water...
Inspiring young people to become good stewards of the environment is a vital part of WMG's mission. Last year we worked with the John Valenzuela Youth Center in South Tucson to build rain gardens and plant trees to cool the school grounds and encourage birds and pollinators to visit. “This was a great activity because it brings families together, helps them work on projects...
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 myriad 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...