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Dedicated to maintaining and preserving the integrity and character of the residential neighborhood known as "The Notch" in Tucson, Arizona.
Our Purpose
Our Purpose
We are a nonprofit neighborhood association whose purpose is to maintain and preserve the integrity and character of our unique, residential, semi-rural area known as "The Notch" and to develop a sense of community among our residents.
The Notch is a one-square mile neighborhood that borders Saguaro National Park, Rincon Unit, in Pima County, Arizona. The Notch is bounded by Speedway Blvd., Freeman Rd. and Saguaro National Park.
Voluntary membership is open to residents and property owners within the defined Notch area. There are no required dues or fees.
News & Events
News & Events
🌵 Sonoran Desert Talk on Restoring Desert Ecosystems Through Research and Conservation -- Sunday, Oct. 25, 4-6pm
What: Restoring Desert Ecosystems Through Research and Conservation. Lizbeth Perez, Restoration Ecology Project Lead & Living Lab Facilities Caretaker with Watershed Management Group, will discuss her team’s fieldwork, research, and conservation of a remarkable desert ecosystem.
When: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 4-6pm
Where: Desert Research Learning Center (DRLC), 12661 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson (end of Broadway)
Light refreshments available.
Courtesy RSVP: CLICK HERE TO RSVP
🔭 Star Party hosted by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association -- Friday, Nov. 27, 6-8pm
What: The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We'll observe planets, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters and lots more. It's a great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes. Star Parties are weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page.
When: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 6-8pm
Where: Desert Research Learning Center (DRLC), 12661 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson (end of Broadway)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
📃Annual Meeting Summary from Jan. 24, 2026: Please CLICK HERE to view the meeting summary and minutes for the annual meetings of Neighborhood Watch and The Historic Notch Preservation Association. [Posted February 1, 2026]
🌳$5 Shade Tree Program from Tucson Electric Power: TEP’s Trees for You program offers TEP customers a wide selection of shade trees at a discounted price through its partnership with Civano Nursery and other local nurseries. Currently, TEP customers can purchase two shade trees per year for $5 each through the program: https://www.tep.com/trees-for-you/ [Posted November 4, 2025]
🎉 Tanque Verde Valley Special Area Policy: We did it! Thank you to those who petitioned, wrote, attended and spoke to have The Notch included in the Tanque Verde Valley Special Area Policy. Here's how it went...
Highlights of the Pima Co. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting on 8/26/2026
70+ people advocating for our position attended. This includes Notch residents, Tanque Verde Valley residents, hydrologists and ecologists.
15 public comments. Nine were from Notch residents with the rest by Tanque Verde Valley Association representatives and watershed and biodiversity experts.
At least one Commissioner remarked that they rarely get this level of public participation advocating on behalf of their community.
Commissioners complimented our organization and effective comments by residents.
Outcome
Success! The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously voted to approve the Tanque Verde Valley Special Area Policy within the boundary proposed by the Tanque Verde Valley Association (TVVA) including south of Speedway and west of Melpomene Way. This includes The Notch.
Next Steps
Next is review and vote by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, which is expected in the fall.. Approval by Planning & Zoning was an important milestone before it goes to the Supervisors. We'll keep you posted.
We Couldn't Do It Without You
Thank you to so many of our neighbors who showed up. It's a long way, hot, and painfully bureaucratic. Passion for The Notch abounds!
Thank you to our speakers and those who had their letters read.
Special thank you to Cathy Griffin, our Historic Notch Preservation Association Treasurer, who has been our liaison to TVVA and led The Notch effort.
Thank you JoAnn and Jim Trego and the TVVA Board for their work and advocacy to protect and preserve the Tanque Verde Valley including The Notch.
Background
The Special Area Policy (SAP) is important because it defines the community values and boundaries of the Tanque Verde Valley as an equestrian, farming and ranching community with rich ecological and environmental diversity. The SAP applies to rezoning requests, requiring the Planning Commission to seek TVVA input for consideration when making their rezoning recommendation to Pima County. While the SAP does not prohibit rezoning, major development or annexation, it is a way to maintain our voice in future land-use decisions. It does not apply to homeowners unless they plan to rezone their property and it does not apply to residential permits. For more, please visit TVVA.org or email us at historicnotch@gmail.com.
Resources for More Information
Slide deck of TVVA's original proposal and Pima County's modifications. In particular, see the original map on slide 4 and Pima County's map reductions, including The Notch, on slide 6.
Questions? Please email us at historicnotch@gmail.com
We are working with TVVA since the Tanque Verde Valley, including The Notch, is a unique area with rural character, open space, wildlife habitat, equestrian activities, scenic resources, and adjacency to Saguaro National Park. We share common ground and have a stronger voice together. [Updated 8/26/2026]
🌵 Event Recap: On March 22, 2026, Tony Figueroa, Director of the Invasive Plant Program for the Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly the Tucson Audubon Society) discussed how protecting and conserving our native desert habitat saves birds. His presentation was very informative with frequent questions and discussion with attendees. Tony shared that 15 species of birds depend on saguaros so threats to saguaros, such as fire, also threaten these bird populations. For invasive plants, his team’s focus has been on buffelgrass and fountain grass and the change these grasses have brought to our landscape, especially fire. He explained that the Sonoran Desert is not evolved for fire and how these grasses, which can burn at up to 1500F, cause mortality of saguaros. To demonstrate their eradication efforts, Tony presented before and after photos of large buffelgrass areas successfully treated by mechanical reduction of plants with electric power tools followed by strategic application of post-emergent herbicide. Invasive and toxic Stinknet was discussed with maps showing hot spots in the Tucson area, including in The Notch and Saguaro National Park. Stinknet has round, yellow flowers without petals and has carrot-like leaves. To identify, remove and report Stinknet, visit www.stinknet.org. Tony also talked about the Habitat at Home program that uses native plants to attract birds and pollinators. The top three flowering native plants he recommended were Brittlebush, Desert Mallow and Chuparosa. Tony recommended the Arizona Wildflowers app for finding and identifying native plants for home gardens. It was an excellent program and we hope to have Tony back again!
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