River Run Network Restoration Workshop: Danny Lopez Park

Tucson’s rivers, creeks, and arroyos historically were natural cooling areas, with riparian forests supported by natural floodplains and shallow groundwater areas. With development, flooding, and groundwater pumping, much of this riparian forest has been lost. We look forward to working with Danny Lopez Park in cultivating and caring for native vegetation and enhancing this section of floodplain of the Santa Cruz River.

Get your hands in the dirt at this restoration workshop aimed to improve riparian forest habitat around Silverbell Lake on the west side of Tucson. We will be working to enhance the recreational spaces along the Santa Cruz River near and within Danny Lopez Park by planting native riparian tree and understory vegetation, shaping and digging water harvesting earthworks, and stabilizing rock work already in the area. This project is in partnership with the Friends of Danny Lopez Park.

This event is organized through WMG’s River Run Network (RRN). The RRN is a program that honors the heritage of our rivers and the value that water holds for the peoples of Southern Arizona. We acknowledge the indigenous communities that have respected and stewarded our rivers for thousands of years and the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’odham, and Latino communities that continue to steward the rivers today. Members work together to learn about and steward our rivers through creek walks, restoration activities, river clean-ups, and educational workshops. If you are not yet a member, we will add you to the RRN when you register for this event. Membership is free and includes a regular e-newsletter with upcoming events.