Chris Clarke March 10, 2025
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Invasive species threaten Arizona's land and water. What to know about keeping them away
Think the yellow sprinkling of flora alongside the I-17 highway is testament to a beautiful blooming spring? Think again.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/03/01/how-to-make-lessons-from-national-invasive-species-awareness-week-relevant-to-arizona/80372186007
The military might start patrolling Big Bend National Park for the first time in decades
The last time military personnel patrolled the region, it ended in tragedy.
www.texasstandard.org/stories/big-bend-national-park-military-patrols-possible
The Desert Speaks Out
Last week on 90 Miles from Needles: Inspiring stories of dedication and sacrifice from residents of Amargosa Valley, Nevada, and Joshua Tree, demonstrate the collective effort to conserve natural resources for future generations.
www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e6-the-desert-speaks-out
Moab demonstrators join national movement against federal worker firings
“It might be a small town, but we’re on the map. We’re passionate people, and we care about our resources, and we care about our community and we have a voice in this too.”
www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-demonstrators-join-national-movement-against-federal-worker-firings
Mexican gray wolf numbers rise for 9th year, but advocates question foster pup strategy
The number of endangered Mexican gray wolves has increased for the ninth year in a row, but advocates say recovery isn't occurring fast enough.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/03/05/mexican-gray-wolf-numbers-rise-to-286-9th-year-of-population-growth/81422012007
Phoenix launches Green Stormwater Infrastructure Handbook to promote water conservation, sustainability
Phoenix is launching the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Handbook to help residents save water, support local wildlife and decrease temperatures.
arizonadigitalfreepress.com/phoenix-launches-green-stormwater-infrastructure-handbook-to-promote-water-conservation-sustainability
Presidio, TX approves resolution to protect water supply
PRESIDIO — On Tuesday night, the Presidio City Council voted in favor of a resolution designed to protect the city’s water supply from future development. The measure is brought by Trey Gerfers of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District.
bigbendsentinel.com/2025/03/05/city-of-presidio-approves-resolution-to-protect-water-supply
Locals protest land management
A small protest Monday (Feb. 3) in Tres Piedras, where the Carson National Forest is one of few emwww.moabtimes.com/articles/hundreds-oppose-kane-creek-incorporation-at-public-hearing-as-process-moves-forwardployers, revealed it's isn't just fired U.S. Forest Service workers who are concerned about the overhaul of public land agencies launched by the Trump administration.
www.taosnews.com/news/environment/locals-protest-land-management/article_592b80b6-5277-52ce-986a-3aef373eb450.html
Raising the next generation of raptors’ guardians
Throughout March, birders, scientists, and families will converge to witness the migration of raptors through the Santa Cruz River corridor.
www.nogalesinternational.com/community/raising-the-next-generation-of-raptors-guardians/article_8541b596-faec-11ef-9694-a7ef728404a2.html
Bullhead City asks National Park Service for 900 acres within city limits
BULLHEAD CITY — Bullhead City has no immediate plans for about 900 acres of federal land it wants to acquire from the National Park Service.
www.kdminer.com/news/bullhead-city-asks-national-park-service-for-900-acres-within-city-limits/article_dba0f80a-4425-561c-b100-8fcdd304ff14.html
Utah adds $50K for dust monitoring after initially skipping it in budget
Utah lawmakers have opted to spend at least some money toward monitoring dust issues, following concerns brought up by environmental researchers.
www.ksl.com/article/51267212/group-calls-foul-after-great-salt-lake-dust-monitoring-fails-to-land-in-utah-budget
Land designated to protect endangered species being bulldozed for new homes, businesses, hotel
Pam Johnson’s family has been part of the Leeds community for generations and previously had a cattle operation that would graze on the public land in the area.
kutv.com/news/local/land-used-to-protect-endangered-species-being-bulldozed-for-new-homes-businesses-hotel-leeds-new-development
‘Say her name’: Hundreds gather to honor Native teen Emily Pike, demanding justice
Hundreds of people gathered outside a church in Mesa for a vigil to honor and support the family of San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, who was murdered in February.
azmirror.com/2025/03/07/say-her-name-hundreds-gather-to-honor-native-teen-emily-pike-demanding-justice-for-her-death
Native languages should be spoken and preserved, tribes say after Trump's 'English' order
President Donald Trump issued an executive order over the weekend declaring English as the official language of the U.S. Tribes say "not so fast."
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/03/07/tribes-say-native-languages-should-be-spoken-despite-trumps-english-order/81168775007
“Terrible, Thoughtless, and Reckless”: Inside the Firings at Big Bend National Park
Tourists are flocking to the 1,252 square miles of rugged terrain, where visitor safety is a primary concern. DOGE just slashed five employees from the already understaffed park.
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/terrible-thoughtless-and-reckless-inside-the-firings-at-big-bend-national-park
Scorpions are waking up earlier than usual around metro Phoenix. Here's why
Chances are you're seeing scorpions earlier this year than in past years. Here's why that's happening and when scorpions are most active.
www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/life/2025/03/07/scorpions-waking-up-early-2025/81783661007
Federal Funding Freeze Hurts Local Nonprofits
Borderlands Restoration Network, Tucson Bird Alliance and other organizations are scrambling to understand the impact of the January federal funding freeze on their programs.
patagoniaregionaltimes.org/federal-funding-freeze-hurts-local-nonprofits
Electric vehicle industry will persist, experts say, despite Trump funding cuts
Despite hostility from the new administration, EVs will eventually become a major part of the nation’s vehicle fleet.
azmirror.com/2025/03/07/repub/electric-vehicle-industry-will-persist-experts-say-despite-trump-funding-cuts
Prescott Basin Prescribed Fire Prep Begins
Contractor crews plan to begin prep work in the Prescott Basin for future prescribed fire implementation.
theprescotttimes.com/news/prescott-basin-prescribed-fire-prep-begins-crews-work-to-reduce-wildfire-risk-through-bradshaw-vegetation/article_f5a04e98-fb72-11ef-940f-e70db3a0482f.html
As Trump's national parks cuts deepen, a California desert town fights back
A new Joshua Tree National Park visitor center opened in Twentynine Palms in 2022.
www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/twentynine-palms-joshua-tree-visitor-center-20204791.php
What’s the buzz? Scientists surveying Nevada’s bee population are seeking volunteers.
If Nevada’s bumble bees went extinct, what would the local ecosystem look like? This is a question the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas is trying to answer.
renonr.com/2025/03/07/whats-the-buzz-scientists-surveying-nevadas-bee-population-are-seeking-volunteers
A lens on life: Jack Dykinga still breathing, still making great photographs
Jack Dykinga won a Pulitzer in Chicago, then came West for a celebrated career in nature photography. And at age 82, after a lung transplant, the Oro Valley resident is
tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/article_e9db2370-e35e-11ef-b17d-3b78f9d73c34.html
2 sentenced for defacing Cowboy Camp at Canyonlands National Park
A pair convicted of defacing national park property in Utah were recently banned from federal lands as part of their sentence.
www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/2-sentenced-for-defacing-cowboy-camp-at-canyonlands-national-park/article_19653cb0-fc56-11ef-bc16-277e43cbc125.html
Utah legislators pass bill to keep public lands open should federal government shutdown
Utah's HB200 prioritizes safeguarding public lands and their economic impact on neighboring communities during government shutdowns.
www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/utah-legislators-pass-bill-to-keep-public-lands-open-should-federal-government-shutdown/article_8880d494-fae2-11ef-b799-7b9f0d05303a.html
As it seeks to drought-proof El Paso, city’s water utility breaks ground on first-of-its-kind water recycling plant
El Paso is the first city to treat wastewater to drinkable standards and then reintroduce it directly back into the city’s drinking water system.
elpasomatters.org/2025/03/09/el-paso-water-sewage-purification-plant
In Utah’s National Park gateway, Trump’s ‘sledgehammer’ cuts, tariff threats inject uncertainty
In a tourist town still struggling to climb out from pandemic restrictions, tourists are canceling trips to Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2025/03/09/trump-arches-and-canyonlands-national-park-service-cuts-tariff-threats-worry-tourist-town-moab/82145193007
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