Sky Island Alliance 2011 Annual Report Reflections on our 20th year Greetings, On behalf of the Sky Island Alliance Board of Directors and staff, I am proud to share this report of the accomplishments and outcomes of our 20th anniversary year. The report details how we are practicing strategic conservation through our focus on core and corridor protection and landscape restoration across the entirety of the Sky Island region, developing and sharing new science especially in understudied biodiversity rincones of the region, and engaging the greater Sky Island community in all the work we do. In reflecting back on 2011, I realize what an exceptional year it has been. 2011 began with an unimaginable tragedy. It shook the foundation of our community with the loss of friend and colleague Gabriel Zimmerman, the attempted assassination of our Wilderness champion Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the death of five neighbors simply engaged in the democratic process, and injuries to dozens more. We were devastated and stunned; we were moved to reflect on the fragility of life. Mostly we felt helpless. People from all walks of life came together as a community and chose civil engagement over divisiveness. As an organization, we recommitted ourselves to work for outcomes that would respect and affirm life. We recommitted ourselves to a public discourse that supports our founding commitment to engage collaboratively and be open to disparate viewpoints to Staff find durable lasting solutions to our greatest conservation challenges — essentially to Melanie Emerson Executive Director engage in good faith. Out of the tragedy that inaugurated this 20th anniversary year we Acasia Berry Associate Director were inspired by the community, by our partners and supporters, by the exceptional wild Keri Dixon Development Director places that offer us refuge, solitude, contemplation and tranquility. And so we spent 2011 Jenny Neeley, JD Conservation Policy Director & Legal Counsel working to heal the landscape and our community. Sergio Avila Northern Mexico Conservation Program Manager Nick Deyo MABA Project Coordinator In this 20th anniversary year we are proud to have documented the northernmost Trevor Hare Landscape Restoration Program Manager breeding population of ocelots (in northern Sonora); photographed a second male jaguar Jessica Lamberton Wildlife Linkages Program Coordinator just 25 miles south of the border; completed five major Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Louise Misztal Conservation Policy Program Coordinator Assessment scientific expeditions; celebrated ten years of wildlife tracking; completed Rod Mondt Protected Lands Program Coordinator the removal of five miles of seven-strand barbed wire fencing at the international border; Christopher Morris Conservation Assistant advanced the Arizona Climate Change Network with a two-day project development Julie St. John Newsletter Editor & Designer workshop; initiated a multi-year, cross-border, inter-jurisdictional watershed restoration Maggie Trinkle Finance & Operations Associate effort; garnered over 12,000 hours of volunteer effort, including numerous scientific Tom Van Devender MABA Project Manager experts (an almost $400,000 value); and increased organizational capacity through the Sarah Williams Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator hire of two newly-envisioned positions: Development Director and Conservation Policy Director. Board of Directors Dick Krueger President 2011 truly was an exceptional year. We reflected on our beginnings and growth as an Steve Marlatt Vice President organization. We thanked those whose vision and hard work created a dedicated and Patricia Frederick Secretary effective organization, and we recommitted ourselves to our mission. I hope that as you Carol Cullen Treasurer read this report, you will discover meaningful and possibly new ways that we can work together to make the next 20 years just as outstanding! Alberto Búrquez, Ana Córdova, Kevin Dahl, Howard Frederick, Kevin Gaither-Banchoff, Regards, Sadie Hadley, Adrian Quijada, Peter Warshall 2 Protect p. 4–7

Connect p. 8–11

Restore p. 12–15

20 Years p. 16–17

Cover photo © Sky Jacobs. Map created by Louise Misztal. 3 Sky Island Alliance is dedicated to the long-term protection of the Sky Island mountains, desert grasslands, life-giving waterways, and the amazing diversity of plants and animals they host.

This region is globally important because of its rich biodiversity of species and habitats. Here roam well over half the bird species of North America as well as over 3,000 species of plants, and about 200 species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, including such magnificent predators as the Mexican wolf and the jaguar.

By prioritizing and protecting public and private lands which provide the best quality habitat in the region, we ensure the long- term protection of “core areas” for native species. Wilderness, Wildlife Refuges, inquiry  engagement  advocacy in action National Conservation Areas, private preserves and other protective designations, not only provide long-term protection of the land and its inhabitants, but also connect local people with their wild lands and improve the quality of life in the region.

On the road to Sierra Bacadéhuachi for our fifth MABA expedition. Courtesy Chip Hedgcock. 4 What a difference a month makes: Calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia caletta) specimens collected in El Rincón de Guadalupe in August (left) and September (right). Courtesy Tom Van Devender.

Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment (MABA): 2011 brought new species, range extensions, and unique observations!

INQUIRY large, showy tropical moths were seen during the August MABA’s fifth expedition: visit; their caterpillars were found in September in addition A wealth of discoveries to smaller moths, temperate species typical to the About 200 miles south of Douglas, Arizona, the Sierra southwestern United States. Although amphibian and Bacadéhuachi is a relatively unexplored Sky Island reptile finds were not numerous, they were unusual, with mountain range close to the Sierra Madre Occidental. In late Sonoran Desert toad (Bufo alvarius), Sonoran lyresnake July a remarkable gathering of 45 scientists, university (Trimorphodon lambda), and green ratsnake (Senticolis professors and students, agency biologists, and volunteers triaspis) found in high-elevation pine-oak forest. set up base camp at Rincón de Guadalupe, a cluster of Tarahumara barking frog (Craugaster tarahumaraensis) and historic white adobe buildings nestled in a deep, forested, Chihuahuan earth snake (Geophis dugesii) were the first stream canyon. The habitats explored during the expedition records of Sierra Madrean species in a Sky Island range. — lowland foothills thornscrub, desert grassland, oak ENGAGEMENT woodland, and pine-oak forest — were also visited on a Online database at www.madrean.org: June scouting trip and in In the three trips to Enriching cross-border collaborations early September to include Rincón de Guadalupe, A powerful analytical tool, the MABA online database plant and insect approximately 500 houses data collected on MABA expeditions in addition to observations from later in thousands of other species records from herbaria, the rainy season. moth taxa were collected with more museums, and scientific literature. Through three Over 1,550 observations than a dozen new, presentations given in 2011 — a field workshop on from the Bacadéhuachi undescribed species. amphibian monitoring and conservation at a Universidad were added to the MABA de la Sierra herpetology conference and presentations database (www.madrean.org) — 664 plant observations in given at two conferences in Hermosillo, Sonora — SIA staff approximately 300 species and 892 animal records, generated a great deal of enthusiasm among university including 471 insect and 277 bird observations. students and professors and we look forward to future Entemologist John Palting was very successful in attracting collaborations applying the data to local and regional diverse moth species to his blacklights at night — many conservation efforts. 5 A grassland divided: vehicle barriers cross the San Bernardino Valley. Courtesy Chip Hedgcock.

We protect connectivity across the borderlands by advocating for smart, science-based decision-making.

ADVOCACY INTO ACTION ADVOCACY INTO ACTION Working together, making our borderlands Mapping the way to a better future safer for sensitive species Our creation of compelling maps, integrating biological data Working with rural landowners in southeastern Arizona’s and geographic information, continue to empower our San Bernardino Valley and southwestern New Mexico’s advocacy and ensure it is grounded in science. This year we Animas Valley, we helped convince the Department of used satellite imagery to map Sky Island vegetation and Homeland Security to minimize environmental impacts connectivity in the Mexican portion of the region, producing when constructing Forward Operating Bases on these four maps with oak woodland and other important habitat fragile landscapes. We also worked with local, regional and types delineated. Combined with MABA data and ongoing national conservation partners to monitor legislation with field work, these maps will help us better understand the the potential to impact most biologically important places in northern sensitive border habitat Mexico on which to focus our protection and and important cross- restoration efforts. We also produced dozens of border linkages, and new maps analyzing sub-watersheds (left) to engaged members and inform riparian restoration and data collected by the public to promote volunteers in combination with important strong, conservation- ecological and terrain features to identify roads for based policies for the closure, important corridors for wildlife movement, borderland region. and the potential harm caused by mining exploration. 6 ADVOCACY INTO ACTION ENGAGEMENT / INQUIRY Turning up the heat on Bringing climate change to harmful mining proposals the forefront of regional Large-scale mining activities pose natural resource management one of the gravest threats to the Sky Island Alliance continued its health of the Sky Island landscapes leadership role on this crucial issue by and its inhabitants, and in 2011 we convening Between a Rock and a Hot saw a barrage of harmful mining Place, the second workshop in our proposals targeting two Sky Islands. Rosemont Valley, as we are working to keep it for climate change adaptation series, and The massive Rosemont Copper years to come. Courtesy Sky Jacobs. establishing the Arizona Climate Change mine, proposed for the eastern Network. This network of informed and slope of the Santa Rita Mountains along Scenic Highway 83, engaged managers, researchers and conservationists is continues to be met with an unprecedented level of developing actionable strategies to build resilience in opposition across the region. Sky Island Alliance’s letter- Madrean forest, grassland, desert and riparian ecosystems. writing workshops were key in educating community With support from the Desert Landscape Conservation members about this harmful proposal and providing Cooperative, Sky Island Alliance is initiating work with key information and mechanisms for them to voice their landowners and agencies to inventory, assess, and, opposition. We also responded to three separate mineral ultimately, improve protection of crucial seeps and springs exploration proposals for the Patagonia Mountains, all of — the lifeblood habitat for many native plants and endemic which threaten the watersheds, riparian areas, critical species that are extremely susceptible to a warming wildlife corridors, and big cat borderlands habitat found in climate. this small Sky Island gem. After submitting extensive ENGAGEMENT comments, we ultimately initiated litigation against the Coronado National Forest for approving one proposal in Achieving protection for Rancho El Aribabi violation of the National Environmental Policy Act and the is a win-win for borderland species Endangered Species Act. Sky Island Alliance is proud to be a partner with private landowners, scientists, conservationists and government ENGAGEMENT agencies working towards protection of high biodiversity Moving Wilderness forward areas on both sides of the border. In March, the Mexican The Protected Lands Program made considerable tracks in National Commission of Natural Protected Areas 2011 — increasing awareness and support for protected announced the certification of “Rancho El Aribabi” as a areas and special designations — although we keenly felt Private Natural Preserve, under the category of Voluntary the void created from the attempted assassination of our Land Conservation. This certification covers 10,000 acres of Congressional champion, Gabrielle Giffords. We gathered oak woodland forests, Sonoran Desert and riparian habitats. new support for Wilderness, engaged untraditional partners The area hosts a wide array of protected species of plants such as Ft. Huachuca, and continued our work in and and animals, including jaguars and the northernmost advocacy for decommissioning roads as part of the breeding population of Sonoran ocelots. Coronado Forest's Travel Management Plan process. 7 Open, permeable, healthy wildlife corridors are essential in linking isolated mountain ranges and establishing habitat connectivity. inquiry  engagement  advocacy in action In the face of climate change, connecting corridors is key for the survival of populations.

These “linkages” allow wildlife to disperse and migrate in order to find new territories, feeding areas or mates.

Restoring and protecting corridors is a key approach to achieving whole, healthy landscapes.

Gila Wilderness (left) was the site of our 17th tracking 8 workshop. Courtesy Sergio Avila. Mexican Gray Wolf track in the Blue Range (above). Courtesy Sky Jacobs. Remote cameras are valuable in documenting wildlife movement before, during and after construction of the wildlife crossings. Rendering courtesy Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, photo courtesy Sun City / Rancho Vistoso Wildlife Camera Project.

Wildlife Linkages celebrates ten years of making the right connections.

INQUIRY / ENGAGEMENT / ADVOCACY INTO ACTION approval of two expanded wildlife underpasses and one Amazing progress linking volunteers to wildlife overpass project (the second in the state) on Arizona science and advocacy State Route 77 (SR77). Working with residents in Sun City and Rancho Vistoso, volunteers document black This year marks ten years of tracking and a 17 wildlife bear tracks in golf course sand traps, photograph decade of citizen science, monitoring at-risk tracking wildlife corridors throughout southeastern badgers and bobcat kittens on remote cameras, workshops Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. In this and effectively engage neighbors in the process. time we have trained and engaged volunteers 233 trained In December 2011, ten years after tracking in the monitoring of 50 transects (1.5 mile long citizen scientists volunteers first put feet to the ground, a new routes) within seven priority linkage areas. We project proposed by the Tohono O’odham Nation have conducted over 1,000 track count surveys 50 transects and supported by data from the Arizona Wildlife and documented over 4,000 records for more monitored Linkages Assessment gained final approval for than 40 different animal species in the region Regional Transportation Authority funding on 1,000+ track — this year for the first time documenting State Route 86 near Kitt Peak. This project will opossum tracks! count surveys also include two wildlife underpasses and a Sky Island Alliance has successfully applied 4,000+ records wildlife overpass, and is the first indication that the SR77 wildlife crossing project, scheduled to survey results to land use policy and land of more than break ground in 2013, is serving as a model for conservation, and this year we took a 40 species leadership role in wildlife linkage planning for similar projects in the rest of the region. Pima and Cochise Counties. Tracking data from the Catalina–Tortolita Mountain linkage contributed to the 9 BioBlitz 2011: Even after a long day in the field, there was still a lot of enthusiasm and excitement from the high school ambassadors and tracking volunteers. Courtesy Elizabeth Webb. Desert tortoise at Saguaro National Park West. Courtesy Melanie Emerson.

The Wildlife Linkages program helps people make the connection that everything is connected and we’re all connected, too!

ENGAGEMENT booth. Our volunteer trackers led tracking surveys, Building enthusiasm for our Sky Islands conducted after-dark black-light insect inventories, and led In March, at the annual Tucson Festival of Books on The 77 middle and high school students to check remote University of Arizona campus, the Sky Island Alliance tent cameras, set track plates and look for animal sign. Over buzzed with activity as hundreds of people stopped in to 5,500 people attended and more than 900 species were check out our program posters, learn about volunteer documented — including 400 species new to the park and a opportunities, handle wildlife track samples, and purchase microscopic critter that may be new to science. books, maps and t-shirts. Regional authors Ken Lamberton, ENGAGEMENT Jefferson Carter, Frank Rose, and Linda Brewer were in our Spreading the word to broader audiences tent, talking about their books and sharing their love of the Sergio Avila, Program Manager of our Northern Mexico Sky Island region. In October, staff and a team of volunteers Conservation Program, attracted national attention in 2011. “stepped up” to run and gather signatures for Wilderness The National Geographic Education website published support at the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb. “Real-World Geography” describing Sergio’s beginnings as SIA ensured a big presence at the 2011 BioBlitz — hosted a scientist, and his work and accomplishments at SIA, while by Saguaro National Park and the National Geographic The Wilderness Society magazine’s “Building an Army of Society — leading nature walks, making presentations, and Young Conservation Leaders,” specifically addressed playing interactive “Biodiversity University” games at our Sergio’s efforts in Northern Mexico. 10 Photos © Sky Island Alliance / El Aribabi.

INQUIRY activities, and the need to maintain connectivity across the Ocelots, volunteers and amazing news! international boundary. SIA Executive Director Melanie Thanks to one volunteer who catalogued all our ocelot photos Emerson traveled to Washington DC to share these results taken since 2007, we were able to identify individual ocelots directly with Members of Congress, staffs of House and photographed and confirm the location of the northernmost Senate Appropriations Committees, and the public through breeding population of ocelots on the continent — the Sierra a news conference with partners at the National Press Club. Azul Mountains of Sonora. Shown above are an adult female ADVOCACY IN ACTION (left) and her kitten (middle). Our remote camera also Documenting impacts from border barriers corroborated the presence of a second jaguar (right) 30 miles We continued mapping border barriers and other tactical south of the border in the Sonoran Sky Islands. Our 2010 infrastructure through photo-flights, field visits and GIS jaguar photo appeared with “In Southern Arizona, Rare Sightings analyses. In conjunction with a graduate student in of Ocelots and Jaguars Send Shivers,”(New York Times, 12/4/11), Geographic Information Systems at The University of and with “The Jaguar Returns to the Southwest”(Encyclopedia Arizona, we took photographs, geographically referenced Britannica Advocacy website, 12/26/11). types of infrastructure, and recorded evidence of the INQUIRY / ADVOCACY IN ACTION barriers’ impacts on protected lands, wildlife habitats, and transboundary water courses. We conducted site BORDERLANDS Learning how to get the message across evaluations along almost the entire border within the Sky ENVIRONMENTAL To better understand public Island region including the Buenos Aires and San SURVEY RESULTS: perception of borderlands Bernardino National Wildlife Refuges, and the San Pedro 92% favored spending money conservation, SIA conducted Riparian National Conservation Area. at Ports of Entry vs. extending a nationwide survey focusing ADVOCACY IN ACTION border infrastructure in remote on border security and land Reconnecting wildlife linkages seven areas; 64% opposed waiving management in the region. strands of barbed wire at a time environmental laws for the These results will guide our SIA staff led three field days supporting the Bureau of purpose of building advocacy in reducing current Land Management’s removal of close to five miles of infrastructure; and 52% and future threats by redundant fencing along the border in the San opposed extending the educating the public about Bernardino Valley. Over 35 volunteers, in concert with border wall after learning the unique biodiversity of the agency personnel, removed almost 3,000 pounds of wire, about the costs associated and Sky Island borderlands, the allowing for improved movement of wildlife in this the problems caused by the threats posed by border sensitive, critical linkage. lack of regulatory oversight. security infrastructure and 11 This was a watershed year for restoration with rain filling the newly-restored Cloverdale Ciénega and riparian surveys and eradication of invasive species conducted across the region.

Across the board — in coordination with partners, in funding applications, and in engaging volunteers through our on-the ground work —we advocate for coordinated and robust management of the landscape while working tirelessly to lower road densities, repair upland erosion, restore riparian areas and aquatic ecosystems, reintroduce rare species and eradicate harmful invasive species, and celebrate the revival of our magnificent Sky Island landscape. inquiry  engagement  advocacy in action

Grasslands and volunteers working on grasslands restoration at Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area. Courtesy Sarah Williams.

12 ENGAGEMENT / ADVOCACY IN ACTION Two cross-border riparian Bill Zeedyk discusses restoration projects come techniques with students. Courtesy Sarah Williams. to fruition In 2011, SIA conducted surveys to assess and collect baseline data on the health of the Restoration Greater Huachuca Grasslands Complex and Las Nutrias Headwaters Watershed as it flows Accomplished! into Sonora. In concert with our partners and 50,000 acres of habitat engaging landowners on both sides of the assessed border, we have begun development of a 1,000 acres of habitat comprehensive restoration plan — a restored coordinated eradication of invasive species and restoration of riparian areas — to be ENGAGEMENT / INQUIRY 100 stock tanks and 50 implemented in 2012-2013. Sharing induced meandering miles in 10 drainages and erosion control methods surveyed for native and We kicked off our Restoration of Priority non-native frogs Habitats for Neotropical Migratory Birds in the with regional practitioners Sky Island Alliance, in cooperation with the Madrean Sky Islands Region project with a 100 miles of roads Bureau of Land Management, brought visit to two sites that Ejido Miguel Hidalgo surveyed watershed restoration expert Bill Zeedyk members have been working to restore — one 5 miles of fence and two of his students to Las Ciénegas along the Rio Santa Cruz and one in Arroyo removed along the National Conservation Area to lead a Milpillas, a tributary to the Rio Cocóspera. This border wall seven-day intensive training for twenty project combines ecological research, participants including staff from Sky Island 3 sites rid of bullfrogs; outreach to landowners and communities, and Alliance, National Park Service, BLM, all three are being our innovative restoration methods. In total, conservation organizations, local recolonized by native we are assessing and restoring up to 20 miles landowners, biological consulting firms, frogs of Sonoran creeks in three or four focal areas and college students. Through this hands- including the Río Santa Cruz and the Río and 2 drainages restored on training, participants learned how to Ciénega Saracachi. As we implement the and 15 large structures collect information for in-depth analysis of planning and restoration work, we are built with 60 tons of incised channels, from past causes to engaging volunteers from both the U.S. and rock current and future impacts; short-term Mexico, as well as local community members, 2 sites readied for cures like check dams, gabion baskets, ranchers and ranch hands, and state and Chiricahua leopard frog streambank armoring, and gully plugs, federal land and wildlife managers. We are reintroduction (bullfrog and their potential long-term negative excited to share landscape restoration eradication, fencing, consequences; and, how to critically methods with our partners in Sonora and the and building the pond) evaluate potential designs for success. Mexican Sky Islands! 13 2011 Fieldwork: All over the map!

Las Ciénegas NCA (LCNCA) Restoration Feb 19-20 Huachucas Watershed Inventory Mar 4-6 Aravaipa Restoration Mar 25-27 BLM Fence Removal II Mar 31 Parker Canyon Lake Habitat Work Apr 2 Fence Building with Tucson Audubon Apr 12 Chiricahua Wilderness Inventory May 6-7 Huachuca Frog Habitat Restoration May 13-14 Pajarito Bullfrog Survey May 21 Aravaipa Restoration Jul 15-17 Huachuca Riparian Surveys Jul 22-24 Courtesy Van Clothier and Trevor Hare. Sierra Esmeralda Riparian ENGAGEMENT / INQUIRY Survey Aug 5-7 Cloverdale: A ciénega returns LCNCA Restoration Aug 20-21 Sky Island Alliance’s efforts in the Cloverdale Valley — protecting and restoring one of the largest and healthiest ciénega and creek systems in the region — Pajarito Survey Sep 23-25 continued in 2011 as we monitored the work we completed in Phase One (2010) Private Pond, Chiricahuas while planning and designing for Phase Two (2012). We had been waiting through Sep 30-Oct 2 two monsoon seasons for a flood event to engage the restoration works we had LCNCA Restoration Oct 15-16 built in Phase One (inset), and finally on December 16, 2011, over three inches of BLM Fence Removal III Nov 17 rain fell in one day in addition to the 3 inches which had fallen since Thanksgiving. LCNCA Restoration Nov 19-20 The rain and subsequent flood event did exactly what we had hoped (above)— the water was diverted out of the manmade gully and flooded the drying ciénega! We Santa Rita Road Surveys look forward to more flood events and the conversion of the dried wetland and Dec 17-18 degraded creek back to their original form and function." 14 Sky Island Alliance volunteers put the “fun” in protecting, connecting, and restoring functioning landscapes.

Due to our cadre of steadfast volunteers, sharing thousands of hours of time and expertise, SIA has numerous accomplishments to brag about… thank you! (Names in orange contributed 100 hours or more in 2011!) 12,020 Total hours for 2011 Anurag Agrawal Shane Clark Kim A. Franklin Jan Johnson Francisco Isaías Hugo Silva- Isabel Amorous Tyler Clark Nico Franz Valerie Johnson Ochoa-Guetiérrez Kurumiya John Anderson Van Clothier Howard Frederick Juan Jorquera Tiffany Odem Tom Skinner Jundari Armstrong Augustino Pat Frederick Dan Kent Jennifer Oliver Aaron Smith 5,520 Howard “Chip” Concolino Debbie Friesen Ashley Kerna Carl Olson Alex Smith MABA Project Arnberg Constantino Roberto Fuentes Dick Krueger Jonny Paklaian Nicholas Smith Humberto Arriola Concolino Glenn Furnier Bill Kurtz John Palting Jordan Soet Michael Austin Paul Condon Carol Ellie Kurtz Theo Palting Julie St. John Bill Azevedo Steven Condon Gawrychowski Ernesto Laborín- Caroline Patrick Christine St. Onge 3,017 Richard A. Jeff Conn Ed Gilbert Servín Pat Phelan Birdie Stabel Wildlife Linkages Bailowitz Charlotte Cook Enrique Gil- Karen Lamberton Barbara Phillips John Stansberry Frank Baker Tim Cook Montaño Ken Lamberton Ethan Pierson Patty Stern Tina Baker Kathy Cooper Emily Robyn Landis Scott Pipken Michael Stock Dinah Bear Carlos Coronel Gindlesparger Jack Lasseter Rudy Poe Kristina Stramler 2,305 Robert Behrstock Zelenia Coronel- Carlos González William Lattea Betty Poteet Chi Talley Landscape Lauren Berka Lara Sandy Goodall Dennis LeBlond Brian Powell Frog Tinker Acasia Berry Bonnie Corrigan Lane Greer SooRang Lee Cynthia Carl Tomoff Restoration Meagan Bethel Dagmar Cushing Jennifer Gremer James Little Prendergast Roberto Torres- Bill Bethel Nick Czaplewski Joann Griffiths Karen Lowery Stephen García Alan Binnie Deryn Davidson Rich Griffiths Felicia Lowery Prendergast Eduardo Trinidad 608 Michael Bissontz Don Davis Linda Guinter Beatriz E. Loyola- William Radke Dennis Turner Rebecca Blancher Gail Dawkins Manuel Omar Reina Kim Rego Martin Turner Office/data entry Nick Bleser María de la Paz Gutiérrez-Castro Russell Lyon Sande Rego-Ross Dale Turner Benjamin Blonder Montañez- Steve Hale Mary Ann Marazzi- Ana Lilia Reina- Melissa Valenzuela- Marge Blum Armenta Edward Haley Hassan Guerrero Yanez 316 Lee Borzick Tom Deacon Samantha Jackie Marcus Martín Reyes- Evie Van de Bogart Cheri Boucher Virgina Dean Hammer Amy Markstein Juárez Anna Van Devender Wilderness Curt Bradley Dana Deeds Jeannette Hanby Chris Marzonie Marilyn Ringland Tim Van Devender Rebecca Brinker Marcia Devere Jonathan Hanson Susan Mast Mayra Ríos- Robert Villa Kristin Brinkman Kathy Dixon Roseann Hanson Danielle Mathieu Madero Martín Villa- 254 Jim Brock Ellen Dorn Mike Headrick Jacques Mauger Kelly Robertson Andrade Hank Brodkin Britt Dougherty Chip Hedgcock Richard Maxwell Graciela Robinson Eric Wallace Outreach Precilla Brodkin Sandy Doumas Erica Heist Pat McGowan Chris Roll Mary Walsh Wynne Brown Jennifer Dreyer Sandy Heunisch Malcom McGregor Jim Rorabaugh Carrie Warman Margaret Bruning Dave Eerkes Bruce Hilpert Shelly McMahon Bob Rose Norm Watson Elizabeth Joan Eerkes Jeff Holt Harry Meekin Phil Rosen Kelly Watters Buchroeder- Frances Emerick Charlie Hoskins Trent Meekin Morgan Ross Dave Weeks Webb Erik F. Enderson John Hoskins Joe Meenach Stanley Ross Niles White Rachel Burke Richard England Elizabeth Pat Merrill Marianne Rowe Susan White Mike Burman Martin Esqueda - Hospodarsky Norma Miller Andrew Salywon Tom Withey David Bygott Valle Pat Hux Barbara Miller Beth Sanders Cynthia Wolf Richard Callahan Kim Etherington Mike Ingram Chuck Minckley Zach Scallate Brandon Worden Kacey Carleton Dave Evans Bernice Isaacs Tom Minckley Annamarie Gertrudis Yanes- Jefferson Carter Michael Fadel Gene Isaacs Dennis Moore Schaecher Arvayo Kerry Caruthers George Farmer Jana Jackson Beth Morgan Dieter Schaefer George Yatskievych Scott Casterlin Joe Fazekas Morgan Jackson Axhel Muñoz Krista Schmidt John Yerger Aida Castillo- Cody Ferguson Sky Jacobs Jeff Nekola Marjanne Schnarr Enrique Yescas Flores George Ferguson Linda Jakse Karen Nickey Dug Schoelkopff Chang You Andrea Chapell Pat Figuli Gayle Jandrey Robert Nixon Leslie Schupp 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Jerry Chapell Juan Fimbres Bethany Michael Nommert Leslie Sellgren Dennis LeBlond. Courtesy Dyna Chin Mark Fishbein Johannesson Jeff Nordgren Ron Serviss Jim Chumbley Sarah Forrester Kaoru Johansen Matt Nordgren Dan Shein Melanie Emerson. Joe Cicero Warren Forrey Terry Johansen Vicky Nordness 15 2011 was a year of milestones as Sky Island Alliance celebrated 20 years of protecting and restoring our treasured landscapes.

inquiry  engagement  advocacy in action We marked the anniversary with events throughout the year, celebrating everything that’s been accomplished, remembering January those who’ve made all the successes FROM LEFT: Pat and Howard Frederick, Sergio Avila, former Executive Director Roseann possible, and visioning where we’re headed. Hanson, and Jonathan Hanson at the kickoff celebration. Courtesy Melanie Emerson. Thank you to everyone who shared in the celebrations. We are looking forward to your involvement in another 20 years of critical conservation work!

SIA kicked off the celebration by hosting an open house in January, shared a day of fun and evening under the stars with SIA members at the Labor Day Campout, brought the community together for a five- part Speakers Series in September, celebrated the accomplishments of our amazing volunteer corps at the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic in October, and concluded the year-long celebration with a Wrap Party in December.

May We launched the Nancy Z Memorial Fund, At our 5th Annual Mountain Islands Desert Seas Awards Banquet in 2011, we honored the and highlighted the accomplishments of people who are making a difference (from left): Julia Fonseca (Pima County), Agency several exceptional individuals: Dale Turner Leadership Award; former Arizona Representative Nancy Young Wright, Public Service Award; David Hodges (accepting for Tim Lengerich’s family), the first-ever Nancy Zierenberg Sky Island (Founder, 20-year Board member, and Advocate Award; Bill Radke, Land Stewardship Award (USFWS); Deb and Dennis Moroney (Sky Board President); Sky Jacobs (longtime SIA Island Brand), Business Conservation Award; and Carolyn Campbell, Mike Seidman Memorial Award. Courtesy Melanie Emerson. staffer); Dennis LeBlond, 2011 Volunteer of 16 October

Great food, great people, great music — must be another Sky Island Alliance Volunteer Appreciation Picnic! Courtesy Melanie Emerson.

A special benefit concert was held in November, featuring the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute, R. Carlos Nakai, and award-winning classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala, where new friends joined current members and donors to September support the future of Sky Island Alliance’s endeavors. A huge thank-you goes to both Native Plant Poet Laureate Peter Gierlach, amazing performers for sharing their time “Petey Mesquitey,” launched our Speakers and exceptional talents in furthering SIA’s Series. Courtesy Keri Dixon. conservation mission and message. Courtesy Chip Hedgcock. the Year; and, at the May Awards Banquet, seven deserving Sky Island November champions (see photo, left).

The 20th Anniversary Founders Fund campaign, concluded in 2011, was a year- Legacy Giving long effort to raise $100,000. The We are honored by the following donors and wish to acknowledge their long-term campaign was a rousing success thanks to commitment to conservation in the Sky Islands. The following people have let us over 200 members, including two donors know they intend to leave a legacy gift to Sky Island Alliance: who challenged others to help by offering matching gifts. Gifts ranged from $10 to Carianne Sienna Funicelli Campbell Trudy Christopher $10,000 and all together, our broad base Elizabeth Hospodarsky Robert Huebsch Richard Krueger of supporters contributed over $106,000 We also wish to extend our sincere thanks to our anonymous donors who have made to shore up critical programs and help the same charitable pledge through a will, retirement or other estate plan. If you would Sky Island Alliance launch its next decade like to disclose your intent to join our growing list of legacy donors, please contact of outstanding conservation, restoration Development Director, Keri Dixon at 520.624.7080 x15. and advocacy work.

17 Thank you supporters. Your generosity makes our work possible. We appreciate your dedication to protecting and restoring the Sky Islands we all treasure. Sky Island Alliance is committed to making the most of every gift.

Major Project Support $5,000+ Chris Roll Audrey & Arthur Emerson Acasia Berry* Bureau of Land Management Anonymous Bob Sanderson Dianne Engleke* Jean-Paul Bierny & Chris Tanz The Kresge Foundation Christina & Doug McVie Dale Turner & Julia Fonseca Elizabeth Farkas Bruce Billings The MET Foundation Julie St. John* Robert Zierenberg Peter Ffolliott* Crystal Bingham National Fish & Wildlife Neil Goodwin Rich & Nancy Bohman Foundation $1,000+ $500+ Samantha & Timothy Hammer Katie Bolger Nina Mason Pulliam Anonymous Briggs & Pat Ackert Bill & Gayle Hartmann Sara Boyett Charitable Trust Dana Backer Anonymous Gilbert & Alice Homstad Curt Bradley & Jennifer The PEW Charitable Trusts Jennifer Becker Diana Barnes-Freshwater & Mike & Susan Ingram Katcher The REI Foundation Don Davis & Diana Wheeler David Freshwater Mari Jensen & Karl Flessa Dorita Brady Summerlee Foundation Lyle & Vera Dethlefsen Jack Bartley Carol Keck & David Rupley* Jeanne Broome Turner Foundation David G. Ebert Kathleen & William Bethel Karolyn Kendrick & Peter Bill Broyles & Joan Scott U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Paul Hirt & Linda Jakse* Alan & Krista Binnie Schmidt David Bruce U.S. Forest Service Bonnie Kay Benjamin Blonder Beth Lang Leslie Bryan Veolia Environment Dick & Sue Krueger Nancy Bower & Lindsey Felicia Lowery Kathryn & Jeff Burgess Foundation Ellie & Bill Kurtz Quisenberry Steve Marlatt* Carianne Funicelli Campbell The Wallace Research Jim Malusa & Sonya Norman Kristina Brown Rob Marshall Andrea Chappell Foundation Billy Moore Jim Chumbley Patrick McGowan Michael Chriss Wilburforce Foundation Bill & Alice Roe, Jade Tree David Coblentz* Barbara & Floyd Miller Trudy Christopher Foundation Sky Crosby John Mondt Robert Claassen Kevin Dahl & Bam Miller Beth Murfee & Dino DeConcini Sid & Laurel Clarke* Jeri Edwards Caroline Patrick Mich Coker* Thank you 2011 business & Richard Felger & Silke Richard & Laura Reilly* Carolyn Cooper & John Schneider Doug & Arlene Ripley Sharawara organization supporters. Howard & Patricia Frederick Randy Serraglio & Louise Lynn Crew & Aaron Miller Brooke Gebow* Misztal Carol Cullen & Bruce Pheneger The Arizona Senior Academy Diana Hadley & Peter Warshall Alan Timmerman Melanie Culver* Axle Canyon Preserve, George Farmer & Linda Zatopek Elizabeth Hospodarsky & James Michael Torres Ed Curley & Kathleen Fockler Bar Boot Ranch, Justin Congdon & Nancy Dickson Schaan Herb Trossman Curley Brooklyn Pizza Company Lil & David Hunsaker Martin Turner Nicholas Czaplewski Casa Maria Jim & Helen Jennings Tom Van Devender & Ana Lilia Kimberly Daly Colossal Cave Mountain Park Pat Jessup Reina-Guerrero Natalie & Douglas Danforth ConserVentures*, Jonathan & Roseann Hanson John McLean Nick Van Kleeck* Louis Daugherty Creative Costumes, Sandra Almasy Matt Pollock Jim Watson & Anne Berry Nancy Daunton Defenders of Wildlife Dawn & John Sellers Matt Wheat* John & Kathy DeKeizer Empire-Fagan Coalition Leslie Sellgren Robert Witzeman David Dewenter* Forrest Sherman Wanda Wynne & Craig Marken Arthur Dilley Environmental Planning Group, Inc., Linwood Smith Bob Tafanelli Kathy Dixon Farmers Investment Co., Nan Stockholm Walden Michael & Cyndi Tuell $100+ Bill Doelle & Linda Mayro Financial Systems for Nonprofits, LLC, Deena Fishbein David Yetman Aida Algosaibi-Stoklos & Fran Dostillio General Mills Foundation Michael Stoklos Richard Duffield Gloo Factory Ink, Dwight Metzger $250+ Kathryn Anderson* Doug Duncan Grasslands Restoration, Inc., Sam Smith Anonymous Jo Anderson & John Coinman Taylor Edwards & Cori Dolan Green Valley Hiking Club Thomas Becker Anonymous David & Joan Eerkes Intel Volunteer Grant Program John Bloch Don Arkin & Sharon Emley Ken Emery Kent’s Bromeliad Nursery, Jeffery Kent Ken Bosma Karl Arne Roy & Fran Emrick Originate Natural Building Materials Maritza Broce* Steve Arnquist & Jen Allen David Evans Oswald Cattle Co. Jean Calhoun Sergio Avila & Jenny Neeley Betty Feinberg Pitchfork Ranch, AT & Cinda Cole Kacey Carleton Dana Backer Gloria Fenner Jeff Conn Don & Karen Bahnick* Richard Franke REI Tim Cook Kenneth Ballenger Matt Frankel Sky Bar Dagmar Cushing & Dana Deeds Roger Barthelson* Kim Franklin Saguaro National Park Laurence de Bure & Sy Rotter Deron Beal & Jennifer Bette Frost Southwest Hearing Aid Center, Laurie Van Vliet Keri Dixon* Columbus Margaret Fusari Sunflower Market, Rocko Heiny Frank & Kate Draper Greg Bedinger & Jan Mulder Kevin & Kelli Gaither- The Letter Shop, Kathy Cooper Malia Du Mont Alice Bennett* Banchoff* Wildwind Realty, Shawn Burke Charles & Betty Eldon Rebecca Benoit Robert Garrett & Mary Hotvedt Melanie Emerson* Pamela Bent Carol Gawrychowski 18 Please consider joining our monthly and quarterly donors in this effective way of supporting our ongoing and emerging work.

Tricia Gerrodette Karen Lowery Roy Rodriguez Sarah Vetault Sylvia & Christopher Beth Woodin Patricia Gilman David Lutz Patricia Rorabaugh & Elizabeth Vierling Weyenberg* Lori Woods Andy Glanz* Douglas & Nancy Matthew Johnson Sandi Wagelie Cindy Wicker & Kent Anthony Wright David Gori Mackenzie Phil & Julia Rosen Jean & Ralph Wahl Jacobs Randi Yawn Susan Graham & Lucy & Marshall Stanley Ross Barbara Walker Anthony & Suzanne Jerry Yudelson Eduardo Trinidad Magruder* Jonathan Rothschild & Vernon & Patricia Walker Wight* Glenda Zahner Randall & Anna Gray Dave Malutich Karen Spiegel Janelle Weakly & Scotty Stuart Williams Diana & Joseph Zerella Phil & Kaye Gray Mary Ann Marazzi Marianne Rowe Johnson Erika Wilson Ross Zimmerman & Pam Colin Gremillion Wilmet Marlatt Robert Russell Richard Webster & Rose Tom Withey Golden Maura Grogan Cornell Stephen Martinek Sherry Ruther Ann Rowlett Gary Wommack* Janice Zinkl Maria Gruenewald* William & Joan Marum Betsy Sandlin Mark Wentley Terry Gustafson* Maria Masque Mary Sasse Gustav Hall Bradley & Barbara Justin & Li Shen Schmidt Eve Halper Massam Kathie & Alan Schroeder We appreciate the generous support Lara Hansen & Eric Donna McArthur Jerry Schudda of our in-kind supporters! Mielbrecht Lucinda McDade & John Russell Scott & Robin Alex Streeter Madaras Gallery David & Billie Hardy Lundberg Kropp The Amerind Foundation Eric Magrane Chip Hedgcock & Kim Sharon McDonough- Scott Sebree Morrison Means Sharon Sittloh Antigone Books Christopher Marzonie Phil Hedrick & Catherine Rebecca McGraw* Tom & Jane Skinner Homer Hansen, Aplomado Consulting Petey Mesquitey Gorman Pat Merrill Matt Skroch Carlos Robles, El Aribabi R. Carlos Nakai & Pam Hyde-Nakai Nancy Helm Saralaine Millet Tom Slawson* The Art & Framing Company by Mary Native Seeds/SEARCH Bruce Hilpert Thomas Moore Curtis Smith & Sue Helen The Nature Conservancy, Cobra Mary-Margaret Hockings Ruben & Irma Moreno Carnahan Axle Canyon Preserve Ranch Jack Holder & Laura Mark Murphy Richard Spotts Gabriel Ayala The Nature Conservancy, Tucson Holder Mills, Holder Dawn Myers Deborah Spruill Barrio Brewing Co. office Family Foundation Hella Nordberg & Alicia Christine & Michael St. Beyond Bread Rici Peterson Andy Holdsworth & Tonnies Onge Blue House Catering Plaza Liquors Hillary Oppmann Jim & Iris Notestine Joe Stevens Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange Vince Rabago Albert Hopper Yvonne O’Doniel-Davis Ron & Renell Stewart Brooklyn Pizza Company REI, Tucson Peter Hubbell Katharine Olmstead Virgil Swadley, Jr.* Sky Jacobs & Claire Trica Oshant Hawking Bron Taylor Wendy Burk Joey Schwanz Zugmeyer Jonathan Overpeck & Barbara Tellman Dennis Caldwell, Caldwell Designs Sierra Network Solutions Fritz & Gayle Jandrey Julia Cole* Susan Thickett Jefferson Carter Sky Bar Carl Kanun Jonna Peterson* Margaret Thomas City of Tucson, Ward 3 Council Office Craig Sponholtz John & Sarah Kennedy Helen Pettit & Chris William Thornburgh* Jonathan & Roseann Hansen, Julie St. John Kathleen Kennedy Botlinger Bill Thornton ConserVentures Christine St. Onge John Kittredge Lorel Picciurro David Tiers & Sue Tim Cook Stream Dynamics Larry & Judith Laing* Margaret Pope & Norman Breems Kimberly Daly, Dalysite Design Summit Hut Ken & Karen Lamberton Epstein Pamela Tilden Desert Survivors Nursery Sunflower Market Rudi Lambrechtse Kenneth Porter Allison Titcomb ESRI Conservation Program TechSoup Pierre Landau & Katya Charles Prewitt Jonathan & Priscilla Titus Food Conspiracy Co-op Trader Joes Peterson Ann Prezyna & Gordon Dr. Howard Topoff & Dr. Fourth Avenue Yoga Training Resources for the David Langebartel Lewis Carol Simon David Leary* Luther Propst & Liz Storer Leon Tsai & Diana Howard & Pat Frederick Environmental Community Virginia LeBaron Ron Pulliam & Janice Chapin-Tsai Gregg Garfin Tucson Audubon Society Jonathan Lee-Melk & Pulliam Jerry & Louise Turner Grace St. Paul Episcopal Church The University of Arizona Wild Cat Yang Yi* Danielle Pyevich John Urban & Robert Richard & Joanne Griffiths Research & Conservation Center Marjorie & Peter Leon Mike Quigley Claassen Chip Hedgcock Father Varela, Rincon de Guadalupe Beth & Ed Leuck* Adrian Quijada & Laura Bob & Maddie Van Deven The Historic Y Faith Walker Joanne Lewis Lopez Hoffman Willem & Johanna Van Kalil Bottling Co. West Press Howard & Barbara Lilley Michael Quinlan & Nancy Kempen Ken & Karen Lamberton Wild by Nature Wilderness Tours Lyn Loveless Lesko Roberta Vandegriff* Jack Lasseter Xoom Juice Sherry Lowenthal Bill Risner & Susan Adler Brian Vandervoet Melanie Lenart Yikes Toy Store The Loft Cinema Bill Zeedyk * Monthly or Quarterly donor 19 PO Box 41165, Tucson AZ 85717 www.skyislandalliance.org 520.624.7080