Protecting
An Ecological Treasure of International Importance
A Voice for Volunteer Conservationists
The mission of the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance is to protect the ecological integrity and associated indigenous cultural heritage of the lower San Pedro region of Arizona, primarily through voluntary and effective actions by local citizens.
Due to rapid growth in Arizona's Sun Corridor, the San Pedro River is the last remaining major natural and intact river ecosystem in southern Arizona. As a result of its rich biodiversity, the lower San Pedro watershed has become the default repository for the mitigation of adverse ecological impacts caused in other parts of the state by such rapid growth.
By joining with the LSPWA, you help demonstrate that organizing at the watershed level is an important movement in the desert Southwest, one that transcends county and community boundaries. Together, let's ensure that this endangered landscape offers future generations far more than yet another land and water base for resource exploitation.
On April 22, 8-11 a.m., join with other Arizona communities impacted by mining in a civil protest against the manipulation of public opinion by mining corporations and University departments that support the mining industry. The Arizona Mining Reform Coalition (AMRC) is calling the University of Arizona to task for hosting its April 22-24 Mining Social License Summit on Earth Day and for excluding community and Tribal voices. Learn More...
The San Pedro River Valley today faces unprecedented industrial threats to its survival. Find out how LSPWA has been challenging these threats, in its efforts to conserve this crucial desert waterway.
Read our challenge to the Bureau of Land Management's defective Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Faraday Copper/Redhawk "Copper Creek" exploratory mining project, which threatens the San Pedro's already-diminishing groundwater, unique riparian biohabitat, and federally protected species. Special thanks to everyone who wrote in individual comments too—as it is important to let BLM and Faraday/Redhawk know the community deeply cares.
Take in a series of recent op-eds that address the need to protect the San Pedro from harmful industrial incursions and to safeguard local access to water.
Read an Arizona Republic article on how the proposed Faraday Copper/Redhawk copper mining project threatens San Pedro conservation efforts (in spite of industry assurances).
Listen to an AZ Public Media story on our Ecoflight aerial survey of the impacts that inroads and drill pads developed by Faraday Copper/Redhawk Exploration are having on the Lower San Pedro's rare and unfragmented wilderness.
Watch an ABC15 segment on our Feb. 11 Public Meeting, held in Mammoth to a packed house, where we and our partners addressed past, current and future concerns in the lower San Pedro watershed, along with lessons learned and strategies to save our water resources and natural habitats from industrial threats. For a deeper dive into the issues, check out the speakers' presentations and read the press release.
Learn about lawsuits against oversight agencies for SunZia's unwarranted decision to construct giant transmission towers along the most remote and ecologically sensitive portion of the San Pedro watershed, rather than using existing infrastructure corridors.
Discover our concerns regarding plans by Redhawk Copper, Inc. (owned by the Canadian corporation Faraday Copper) to build a series of six new open-pit mines and two block-cave mines at Copper Creek, a tributary of the San Pedro River.
Read our Comments in response to a recent Air Force proposal to conduct subsonic and supersonic, low-altitude flight-training exercises over the lower San Pedro and other parts of our state's most remote and ecologically pristine wilderness areas.
A Significant, Singular Landscape
The San Pedro corridor has become the most important north-south migratory bird flyway within Arizona. The lower San Pedro watershed also harbors one of the richest remaining fish, reptile, amphibian, and mammalian habitats in the nation, and is the key to protecting several threatened and endangered species.
A few of the many who call this place home:
Imagine this spectacular watershed from the perspective of those who live here.
Because words are insufficient, please enjoy this short video. In it, you can clearly see that this stunning ecosystem—and the plants, animals, and landforms that comprise it—make a compelling case for conservation.
Of Interest
Documents Submitted
Canadian-owned Pattern Energy Corporation ignored the existence of low-impact alternatives and started building the haphazardly-planned SunZia Transmission Project through 33 miles of the most remote and ecologically sensitive portion of the San Pedro Valley. LSPWA stood against this travesty in the Arizona Courts.
Presentation by LSPWA
Peter Else discusses issues facing the San Pedro River in this presentation to the Sustainable Water Network.
Our Programs
Collaborative Conservation
We collaborate with allied partners on actions to protect the ecology and cultural heritage of the San Pedro, at a landscape scale.
Conservation Advocacy
Our administrative, legal and outreach efforts are wholly focused on advocacy for the protection of the San Pedro's wild landscape.
Creating a Bright Future Together with You
We are made up of allies, experts, activists, naturalists, artists, archaeologists, and donors, but anyone with an interest in protecting this special place is welcome to call themselves our member.
LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED BY JOINING TODAY