Blog: Oasis in the Desert - Restoration and Resilience in Arizona
With our changing world and the constant pressure of climate change, many communities, especially Hispanic, Black, Indigenous and low-income communities, have been greatly affected by deteriorating ecosystems and difficultly accessing nature. Arizona, being one of the most biodiverse states, is especially susceptible to climate change as is evidenced by the increased frequency of devastating wildfires and decreasing water levels in our rivers and lakes each year. Now more than ever, it is important for us all to realize we are important stakeholders and for us to come together to restore degraded lands and waters as a form of resistance to the adversities Arizona communities continually face. The following examples of restoration projects in Arizona showcase some of the efforts to protect and restore our nature so communities—and generations to come—can continue to enjoy and have access to the outdoors.
The Santa Cruz River Restoration Project
In the year 1900, well drilling began at Sentinel Peak in Arizona resulting in the depletion of the Santa Cruz River. The Santa Cruz River’s Water was used for farming operations until the river, watershed, and surrounding vegetation dried up. Until recently, the Santa Cruz riverbed had remained empty and dry, only occasionally and slightly rising after heavy rainfall.
In 2019, the City of Tucson decided to take action by creating the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project dedicated to restoring the area using existing infrastructure like Tucson’s water recycling system. The Heritage Project began by releasing 2.8-million-gallons of Tucson’s recycled water into a one-mile stretch of the river channel so that it would begin to flow once more. The artificial addition of water created a new perennial flowing river, allowing the watershed to replenish itself and go back to what it used to be.
As a result of the Santa Cruz Restoration Project, native vegetation has begun to flourish again, with wildlife returning to the area and reclaiming their habitats. Additionally, the area has become a recreational space that has increased outdoor access to nearby communities, especially Hispanic and other minority groups.
The success of this project demonstrates how we can utilize existing infrastructure, in this case water recycling systems, to restore an ecosystem. Restoration projects like these benefit all communities, but is especially impactful for marginalized communities that have historically been underfunded -- not receiving the necessary investment funds to update infrastructure and protect the landscape. Without restoration and resiliency projects like these, the challenges presented by a lack of access to water threatens the very livelihood of communities of color.
Restoring and protecting the Santa Cruz River has increased wildlife habitats as well as stimulated the local economy, and has created a place where all communities can continue to build connection to nature. The restoration of the Santa Cruz River is an investment in resilience, combatting the exacerbated impacts of climate change by protecting wildlife habitat, and building community connection to local landscapes.
Size of the project: Amount of water up to approximately: 4.3 cubic feet per second/1,950 gallons per minute/2.8 million gallons per day/3,150 acre-feet per year
Cost: Construction cost $850,000
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area:
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is considered an ecological oasis in Arizona with open grassland, native wildlife and plants, and a rare perennially flowing stream. Over the years, the resources in this special place have been exploited, starting with the purchase of land and water rights in the area from a mining company seeking to develop a copper mine.
The watershed in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area delivers a significant portion of water to the city of Tucson. Concern over watershed depletion caused the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to acquire the 35,000 acres in 1988 through a series of land swaps in order to prevent its deterioration. After the purchase, the BLM created a resource management plan for the land and presented it to the public for commentary. However, a wide range of stakeholders, including local community members, ranchers, and hunters, were not a part of the planning process and did not approve the suggested plan. After intense pressure from the public, the BLM was encouraged to listen and engage with the community. They sent out invitations to a potluck meeting where all stakeholders could gather and discuss the management plan. The common ground discovered was that everybody wanted to protect Cienegas Creek and the surrounding area.
Additional potlucks followed and relationships began to form between the diverse groups that benefit from the Cienegas NCA. After establishing relationships with stakeholders and building community trust, the BLM continued to develop the management plan resulting in a co-management system where roles were distributed across stakeholders. For example, ranchers would be in charge of managing grazing practices, and biologists would be in charge of conducting surveys. All in all, this management plan made sure that all stakeholders had a part to play in the conservation of the area.
The relationships built between community members was essential for the restoration and creation of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Community members coming together in support and protection of the land demonstrates resilience by working together for a common cause. Additionally, the connections that were developed will be critical as our natural world continues to change in the face of climate change.
Size of the project: 42,000 acres
Tres Rios Wetlands
Comprised of the Salt, Gila, and Agua Fria Rivers, the Tres Rios Wetlands have all been successfully restored to increase biodiversity and help communities continue to connect to natural landscapes.
After World War II, many people immigrated to Arizona in search of opportunity. To support the population growth, dams were built along the Salt River to supply cities like Phoenix with water. Due to its overuse and the impacts of climate change, the rivers dried up.
Tucson city officials called upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to strategize solutions to restore the wetlands as part of a flood control plan for the city. The developed solution consisted of artificially stretching the watershed along the Salt and Gila Rivers on vacant farmland by releasing water from the treatment plant into the Salt River confluence and the newly created wetlands. Since the completion of the project in 2009, approximately 78 million gallons of reclaimed wastewater have been released into the rivers daily, allowing water to once again flow through the Tres Rios Wetlands. This effort restored biodiversity to the area while simultaneously working as secondary water treatment plant.
The wetlands have been increasingly beneficial for the City of Phoenix, but also for wildlife and habitat that diminished when the rivers dried up. Since its restoration, various programs have been working hard to re-introduce native plants and wildlife to the wetlands. Their work has been valuable, and over 150 different species now thrive in this special area. For community members, the Tres Rios Wetlands offers recreation and birding opportunities, allowing Arizonans to connect with nature.
Having spaces like the Tres Rios Wetlands and utilizing innovative restoration strategies not only protects and makes communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change, but also adds natural value to community members' lives.
Size of the project: 128 acres of wetlands, 38 acres of riparian corridors, 134 acres of open water/marsh areas, and about 69 acres of habitat.
Cost: $99,320,000.00