2009 Annual Report - Sky Island Alliance

Sky Island Alliance
2009 Annual Report
Thank you to all our members, volunteers and supporters for a year full of active participation
in conservation, restoration and advocacy.
Our shared vision of a healthy and resilient Sky Island region could not be held back by economic downturns —
it only made our efforts stronger, smarter. In fact, the volunteer effort in 2009 had a value of over $260,000, a full
quarter of our income! The amount of research, restoration and advocacy accomplished in the Sky Islands this year
was impressive as a result. Reflecting on my first year as Executive Director, it is clear that SIA’s amazing staff,
dedicated volunteers, and supportive friends like you, make it all happen. I could not have asked for more of a
welcome to this extraordinary community
Additionally, with the support of the Veolia Environment Foundation we added an exciting new project detailed on
page 5, hired renowned botanist Tom Van Devender, Ph.D., and logistical whiz Marc Trinks, and set out to inventory
the biodiversity of the Sonoran Sky Islands.
2009 was another great year for the Sky Islands and laid the groundwork for the next decade — thank you!
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www.skyislandalliance.org
PO Box 41165, Tucson AZ 85717
520.624.7080
www.skyislandalliance.org
Board of Directors
Protect
p. 6
President
Dale Turner
Vice President
Steve Marlatt
Secretary
Nancy Zierenberg
Treasurer
Carol Cullen
Connect
p. 9
Ana Cordova, Kevin Dahl,
Patricia Frederick, Brooke Gebow,
Sadie Hadley, Paul Hirt, Oscar
Moctezuma, Rod Mondt, Adrian
Quijada-Mascareñas, Chris Roll,
Peter Warshall
Melanie Emerson
Executive Director
Acasia Berry
Associate Director
David Hodges
Policy Director
Janice Przybyl
Wildlife Linkages Program
Jessica Lamberton
Wilderness Outreach Associate
Restore
p. 14
Restore
p. 14
Staff
Restore
p. 15
Protect
p. 7
Restore
p. 13
Protect
p. 7
Connect
p. 10
Connect
p. 11
Restore
p. 13
Julie St. John
Newsletter Editor & Designer
Protect
p. 5
Louise Misztal
Conservation Associate
Marc Trinks
MABA Project Coordinator
Mike Quigley
Wilderness Campaign
Coordinator
Protect p. 7
Connect p. 10
Sarah Williams
Volunteer Coordinator &
Outreach Associate
Sergio Avila
Northern Mexico Conservation
Program
Sky Jacobs
Membership & Administrative
Associate
Tom Van Devender
MABA Project Manager
Trevor Hare
Landscape Restoration Program
www.skyislandalliance.org
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We are dedicated to the protection
and restoration of the rich natural
heritage of native species and
habitats in the sky islands.
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 100 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, 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.
With practically every step we are discovering spectacular
landscapes and biodiversity to protect in the Sonoran Sky
Islands. courtesy Chris Marzonie
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www.skyislandalliance.org
In 2009 Sky Island Alliance launched the Madrean Archipelago
Biodiversity Assessment (MABA) — a scientific initiative to
protect the wildlife and wildlands of the Sky Island Region
A visionary initiative — scientific expeditions into the Sonoran Sky Islands
Because we believe that “you cannot adequately protect that which you do not understand,” MABA is
a unique project that is furthering conservation efforts through the gathering of scientific data about
the flora and fauna of the sky islands. We engage an international cadre of scientists, landowners,
government organizations, students and volunteers, and lead them deep into the sierras of the sky
islands to inventory the area’s incredible biological wealth and its rich cultural and natural history.
In 2009, MABA scientists contributed more than 2,700 hours of their time
MABA relies heavily on volunteers in making its scientific expeditions successful. With specialties in
a wide array of scientific disciplines such as botany, ornithology, entomology, mammalogy, geology,
and herpetology, these volunteers assist MABA staff in carrying out field biology studies and forging
synergetic partnerships which benefit the livelihood of landowners while serving to protect
conservation efforts regionwide.
Bug lights bring in myriads
of insects… and scientists!
courtesy Chip Hedgcock
Rancher and landowner outreach is a major component of MABA
We believe that working with landowners such as Josiah and Valer Austin of the Cuenca Los Ojos
Foundation and Carlos Robles of Rancho El Aribabi to document and protect these beautiful southern
sky islands benefits the landscape, while also highlighting the excellent conservation work these
landowners are accomplishing every day.
Hundreds of new species
are documented with every
MABA expedition.
courtesy Melanie Emerson
Introducing MABA Project Manager, Tom Van Devender
His long-term interest in the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert Region is more than evident
— Tom (right) has published well over 100 research papers and collected over 20,000 specimens,
most of which reside in the University of Arizona and Universidad de Sonora herbariums.
Veolia Environment Foundation partners with Sky Island Alliance to support MABA
In Spring 2009, SIA was privileged to enter into a new three-year partnership with Paris-based
Veolia Environment Foundation (VEF), one of the leading private-sector
foundations in France. VEF supports non-profit, community-oriented
projects in France and around the world, with special focus on biodiversity.
www.skyislandalliance.org
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Sarah Williams assesses the health of a riparian corridor courtesy Trevor Hare
Sky Island Alliance’s Geographic Information System (GIS)
expertise creates compelling conservation tools
Ecologically damaging roads identified
When the Coronado National Forest began evaluating its
system of roads, Sky Island Alliance
mapped
and
recommended
an
ecologically-sensitive system based on
field data and sensitive species and
habitat locations. Our recommendations
would reduce road densities by nearly
50%, protecting biological diversity, and
promoting quiet.
GIS transforms biological and
field data into dynamic visuals
and analytic data
No moss grew on our GIS equipment in
2009! Visual projects included outreach
maps for public lands advocacy campaigns
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www.skyislandalliance.org
and field maps for wildlife tracking and MABA expeditions.
GIS also enabled us to analyze the value of potential
wilderness areas — for the protecting sensitive species and
habitat diversity — in the National Wilderness Preservation
System, and prioritize roads for field
assessments based on ecological
impacts.
Sky Island Regional Map
produced
After many requests and much
anticipation, Sky Island Alliance produced
the Sky Islands Regional Map. This eyecatching and informative map features
mountain ranges, rivers and other
regional points of interest and is
bordered by photographs of stunning
views, and colorful plants and animals of
the region.
We are building the case — and momentum —
for the protection of wildlands and wildlife
SIA identifies priority areas suitable for
Wilderness on National Forest lands
Sky Island Alliance combined on-the-ground knowledge with
biological data to analyze nearly 200,000 acres of the
Coronado National Forest to make the case for protecting
outstanding wilderness characteristics found here. We
submitted detailed maps and reports of six priority areas to
the Forest Service for their consideration in identification of
potential wilderness.
Presenting successes at the 9th World
Wilderness Congress in Mérida, Yucatan
SIA staff presented our successes with riparian restoration
and experience with private reserve designation in Mexico to
1,800 delegates from over 50 countries. Teaming with Cuenca
Los Ojos Foundation, Naturalia, A.C., Northern Jaguar Project,
Wildlands Network and private landowners, our plenary
presentation highlighted the amazing conservation
collaboration afoot in the southwest crescent to protect
regional and international wildlife connectivity.
Building steady support for
Tumacacori Highlands
Wilderness designation
In 2009, 45 years after the signing of
the Wilderness Act, momentum for
Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness designation was building —
we conducted nearly 45 presentations, community outreach
activities and hikes in Green Valley, Tubac, Tucson and the
Highlands itself, resulting in over 100 new letters of support
from businesses, residents, faith and community groups.
A Conservation Dream… in the making
Carlos Robles Elías, owner of Rancho El Aribabi located in a Sonoran sky island 30 miles
south of the international border, has spent many years crafting a “conservation dream.”
His 10,000-acre property presents a high degree of biodiversity, containing more than 35
protected species of plants and animals.
En forma verdaderamente ejemplar, Carlos Robles Elías ha establecido una visión de manejo
por encima de la tradición ganadera, aplicando nuevas ideas y creatividad en acciones
tangibles para impulsar actividades más acordes con el desarrollo sustentable y la
protección y conservación de los recursos naturales en el rancho.
Esto acentúa el mérito por parte de la familia Robles al realizar un esfuerzo más allá de la
relativa comodidad económica que pudiera implicar el pastoreo del ganado cerca del agua,
para modificar y redirigir sus actividades hacia acciones congruentes con la conservación
de los recursos naturales y promover el desarrollo sustentable para beneficio del ambiente
y eventualmente para la administración misma del rancho.
right: Carlos Robles — dreamer and conservation hero of the Sonoran Sky Islands. courtesy Christa Weise
www.skyislandalliance.org
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Open, permeable, healthy wildlife
corridors are essential in linking
isolated mountain ranges and
establishing habitat connectivity.
These “linkages” allow animals to disperse and
migrate, either temporarily or spatially, in order
to find new territories, feeding areas or mates.
In the face of climate change, connecting
corridors is key for the survival of populations.
Sky Island Alliance’s approach to restoring
whole, healthy landscapes includes protecting
the corridors that connect those areas.
left to right:
Sun rising over the Sierra la Madera. courtesy Chip Hedgcock
Lampropeltis pyromelana ssp. pyromelana (Arizona Mountain
Kingsnake). courtesy S.L. Minter
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www.skyislandalliance.org
When people are connected to place, amazing things can happen
Local landowners become citizen scientists,
using remote cameras to capture wildlife
presence and movement
It’s a win-win-win situation — photographs demonstrating
high species diversity or the continuous presence of a
protected
species
are
instrumental in facilitating the
permanent protection of an
area. As a research component,
cameras offer readily available
information on species that live
on a property, prompting
discussions on impacts and
methods of land management
— livestock grazing, predator
control, and hunting of prey populations. In terms of
outreach, remote cameras allow us a low-cost, continued
“presence” on private properties, making it possible to
regularly return, maintain contact with landowners, and
advance discussions towards protective designations.
Additionally, we gain on-the-ground advocacy by
empowering landowners to own and share the results as
well as their historical knowledge of the landscape.
States, avoiding a repeat of the tragedy that befell Macho B.
Specifically: Prompt creation of an effective Jaguar Recovery
Plan and a Recovery Team, and accelerated preservation of
jaguar habitat on private and public lands and its connectivity
across the international border.
Wildlife Crossing Structures approved in
December 2009
In partnership with the Coalition for Sonoran Desert
Protection our $8.2 million funding proposal was approved
for three crossing structures across State Route 77 (Oracle
Road) in the Tortolita Mountains to Santa Catalina Mountains
linkage. Construction begins in 2012 on one overpass and
two underpasses designed to facilitate wildlife movement
across an expanded State Route 77.
La Muerte del Jaguar Macho B:
He will not have died in vain
Macho B was the name used by scientists to identify a wild
male jaguar first photographed in southern Arizona’s sky
islands in 1996. He symbolized the rich biodiversity and
glorious beauty of our region.
The loss of Macho B is a tragedy that must not be repeated.
Sky Island Alliance called on state and federal agencies,
other environmental conservation groups, scientists and
citizens to work together to preserve jaguars in the United
Proposed Wildlife Crossing structures in Pima County. courtesy Coalition
for Sonoran Desert Protection
www.skyislandalliance.org
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An ocelot moves on fresh snow. courtesy Sky Island Alliance / El Aribabi.
“YES! Bring back the cats!”
The Bring Back the Cats! Campaign was a concentrated effort to raise
awareness and funds for our continuing goal to protect and reestablish wild
feline populations in the region. Encouraged by the $10,000 contribution and
inspiration of two anonymous donors, we set out to raise $30,000 by the end of
2009. On the stroke of 2010 we concluded with a resounding, “YES! Bring back
the cats!” — 112 members and supporters contributed to this campaign.
Sky Island Alliance teams up with world-renowned
photographers to document/exhibit borderland impacts
In December 2009, approximately 4,000 Arizonans attended the International
League of Conservation Photographers photo exhibits in Tempe, Tucson, and
Bisbee, which documented the wildlife, ecology, and effects of the border wall
on the southwest’s imperiled landscapes. At once stunning for its spectacular
landscape and wildlife images — including those of SIA supporter and Pulitzer
Prize-winning photographer, Jack Dykinga — as for its somber evidence of
environmental devastation, the exhibit provided a tool for SIA and its partners
to raise critical community awareness of the mounting ecological impacts of the
unbridled border infrastructure and enforcement activity, to advocate for
urgently needed mitigation, and to influence decision-makers’ understanding of
the impediments to wildlife, water and ecological system functioning.
Above, from top: Images from the RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition… Against the Wall by Krista Schlyer, a portrait
of the border wall ©Jack Dykinga, the International League of Conservation Photographers team courtesy Ian Shive.
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www.skyislandalliance.org
When it comes to collecting connectivity data,
Sky Island volunteers make it happen
Our tracking data plays an essential role in protecting wildlife
movement corridors
With a record high of ninety active wildlife tracking volunteers, Sky Island Alliance walked
approximately 270 miles and monitored seventeen transects in five identified wildlife corridors:
the Tortolita, Tumacacori-Santa Rita, Peloncillos, Las Ciénegas and the Ciénega Creek watershed.
Tracking data are analyzed for wildlife movement patterns which allow us to inform land use
planning and advocate for corridor protection.
Investment in collaborative work
yields unexpected dividends
Together with Witness for Wildlife, a citizen naturalist program of the Freedom to Roam Coalition,
we created field guides, led community hikes, and deployed six wildlife cameras in a pilot study
— leading to the discovery of an Arizona ocelot.
The 20th and final Fort Huachuca
Track Count
In June 2009, 34 participants documented the presence of
mountain lions and black bears in six out of eight canyons in
the Huachuca Mountain canyons of southeast Arizona.
Documenting bobcat tracks on a
dirt road. courtesy Jessica
Lamberton
At our 3rd Annual Mountain Islands Desert Seas
Awards Banquet in 2009, we honored the people
who are making a difference… who inspire us:
Agency Leadership Award: Tom Skinner, Coronado National Forest
Given to an agency or agency personnel who exhibit a high level of
dedication toward project implementation which restores and protects
native biological diversity.
Business Conservation Award: Brooklyn Pizza Company
Given to a business whose practices, policies, or support significantly
benefits the wildlands of the Sky Island Region.
Landowner Stewardship Award: Seth Hadley, Diamond A Ranch
Given to landowners who show exemplary dedication to restoring and
protecting the native assemblages of species and natural processes
that occur on their land.
Mike Seidman Memorial Award: Phil Rosen
Given to an individual in recognition of his/her outstanding
contributions to land and wildlife conservation, and who strives to
connect the realms of science, grassroots organizing, and on-theground success.
www.skyislandalliance.org
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Sky Island Alliance took great strides
in 2009, driving home the concept of
watershed health while advocating for
coordinated and robust management
of the landscape.
Across the board — in coordination with partners,
in funding applications, and in engaging volunteers
in our on-the-ground work — we worked tirelessly
to lower road densities, repair upland erosion,
restore riparian areas and aquatic ecosystems,
reintroduce rare species, and celebrate the revival
of our magnificent Sky Island landscape.
left to right:
Lowland leopard frog (Rana yavapaiensis). courtesy Chip Hedgcock
Looking east from la Sierra Oposura, Sonora. courtesy Sky Jacobs
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www.skyislandalliance.org
Sky Island Alliance partnerships
make great things happen
Restoring Cloverdale Ciénega:
Thinking big just got bigger
2009 marked Year Two of Sky Island Alliance’s largest
restoration project to date: a three-year project restoring
Cloverdale Creek and Ciénega. Historically channelized to
divert water away from the largest desert marsh in New
Mexico, it is our task to restore a healthy flow back into the
ciénega, coordinating with restoration experts, the
landowner and the Forest Service to create a robust design
that will be implemented in 2010.
Twenty volunteers, three organizations,
and one-rock dams
In the spring of 2009 SIA combined forces with the New
Mexico Wilderness Alliance and the Upper Gila Watershed
Alliance for the annual Tres Alianzas volunteer work
weekend. We gathered in the Burro Mountains of New
Mexico in an area known as the Axel Canyon Preserve to
implement proven riparian restoration techniques on an
ephemeral stream.
from top:
The Cloverdale Ciénega.
courtesy Trevor Hare
Tres Alianzas crew at
work. courtesy Trevor
Hare
Volunteer checking out a
possible bat roosting
site. courtesy Trevor
Hare
Surveying potential habitat for
migratory bats in the Santa Rita
Mountains
SIA partnered with Bat Conservation International (BCI)
in 2009 to conduct external mine surveys to help
identify potential bat habitat in the Santa Rita Mountains.
Data collected by volunteers aided BCI in determining
which mines have potential roosts for migratory bats
like the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus
townsendii).
www.skyislandalliance.org
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Sky Island Alliance volunteer
No more bullfrogs at Peña Blanca: Hard
work pays off
Trained volunteers controlling bullfrogs at Peña Blanca Lake. courtesy Paul Condon
In the spring of 2009, Sky Island Alliance partnered
with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the
University of Arizona on a project to control bullfrog
populations in Peña Blanca Lake and the surrounding
drainages and stock waters of the Tumacacori
Highlands. Bullfrogs are non-native predators that have
significantly contributed to the decline of native
leopard frog populations. Volunteers dedicated many
hours hiking to investigate area water sources and
seining stock waters through mud and muck to
capture bullfrog tadpoles and juveniles before they
grew large enough to breed and spread. Follow-up
monitoring showed zero presence of bullfrogs in many
stock tanks and natural waters that once harbored the
nasty non-native amphibians. Especially important to
this effort were employees from the Summit Hut, a
local outdoor retail store, who provided many hours
of their time through the Summit Hut’s “100 days of
Community Service” initiative which allows employees
to use a paid work day to volunteer in the community.
Thank you Summit Hut!
Sky Island Alliance would not have as many accomplishments to brag about if it weren’t for our steadfast
Brian Adam
Patty Adams
Paul Adams
Tim Allen
Isabel Amorous
Glorya Anderson
Jan Anderson
Howard Arnberg
Humberto Arriola
Valer Austin
Cedric Baecher
Rachelle Baker
Tina Baker
Devin Bayly
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Deron Beal
Steve Bergey
Carol Bernstein
Johnathon Blade
Nick Bleser
Benjamin Blonder
Cheri Boucher
Julie Bourns
Diane Boyer
Curt Bradley
Dorita Brady
Bill Branan
Andy Bridges
Wynne Brown
Dan Brudno
Greg Bryan
Susan Buchan
Melissa Buchman
Elizabeth
Buchroeder-Webb
Mike Burman
David Bygott
Horacio Cabrera
Michelle Caprari
Jefferson Carter
Jo Ann Caruthers
Kerry Caruthers
Craig Chapman
Michael Chappell
Jessica Chavez
Dyna Chin
www.skyislandalliance.org
Trudy Christopher
Joe Cicero
Steven Clinkscales
Jeffrey Close
Van Clothier
Jenny Columbus
Paul Condon
Cathy Connolly
Charlotte Cook
Christopher Cooley
Kathy Cooper
Roberto Corella
Hanna Coy
Dagmar Cushing
Dana Davis
Don Davis
Gail Dawkins
Misha Dawn
Laurence De Bure
Virgina Dean
David Delgado
Marcia Devere
Katrina Dimitroff
Sandra Doumas
Jennifer Dreyer
Jim Dryden
Dale Durham
Shirley Durham
Jack Dykinga
Dave Eerkes
Joan Eerkes
Kim Etherington
George Farmer
Joe Fazegas
Gavin Ferguson
Ken Fields
Deena Fishbein
Jesse Fleisher
Conor Flynn
Julia Fonseca
Warren Forey
Sarah Forrester
Debbie Friesen
Roberto Fuentes
Sergio Garcia and
Family
Tony Garcia
Tom Gibbons
Ed Gilbert
Jim Goodkind
Andrew Gray
Joanne Griffiths
Richard Griffiths
Randy Grohman
Terry Gustafson
Edward Haley
Jeanette Hanby
Jonathan Hanson
Roseann Hanson
Manny Hart
Steve Hayden
Gary Haynes
Mike Headrick
Chip Hedgcock
Robert Herdliska
Bruce Hilpert
Paul Hirt
Will Hodges
Andrea Hopper
Mike Huckaby
Pat Hux
Bernice Isaacs
Gene Isaacs
Sky Jacobs
Linda Jakse
Gayle Jandrey
Brian Jones
Cory Jones
Julie Jonsson
Paul Jonsson
Juan Pablo Jorquera
Jennifer Katcher
Arlene Kellman
Cybele Knowles
Ronn Koeppel
field weekends bring the fun back into functioning landscapes
Bio-assessment and restoration:
Sky Island Alliance’s commitment to
Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area
Motorized recreational impacts on the grasslands is the
greatest short-term threat to the ecological integrity of this
landscape, under the watch of the Bureau of Land
Management. Over three weekends, volunteers gathered data
on erosion and vegetation impacts from ATV use, and closed
and restored an ATV playground.
Getting some great old broads out
for fieldwork… and a hike or two
From top:
In April 2009, SIA hosted the Great Old Broads for Wilderness
for an extended field weekend to the Chiricahua Mountains to
collect data on eroding roads, illegal ATV trails, sprawling
campsites and other human-created impacts. Combining the
regional knowledge of Sky Island Alliance staff with the data
collection expertise of the Great Old Broads, over twenty
volunteers gathered important information on the health of
our public lands.
Yet another successful
road closure in Las
Ciénegas! courtesy Ron
Mitchell
Two great old broads
enjoying the Chiricahua
Monument. courtesy
Sarah Williams
cadre of volunteers (names in bold contributed 100 hours or more in 2009)__________________________________
Taryn Kong
Lance Krigbaum
Bill Kurtz
Ellie Kurtz
Alex Laetsch
Nick Laetsch
Rudi Lambrechtse
Tim Lengerich
Max Li
Michael Livingood
Robin Llewellyn
Karen Lowery
Remy Mabille
Ivonne Maldonado
Frederic Malter
Steve Marlatt
Chris Marzonie
Susan Mast
Jacques Mauger
Richard Maxwell
Carolyn Maycher
Malcom McGregor
Cecilia McNicoll
Jenny Merritt
Rinda Metz
Barbra Miller
Norma Miller
Saralaine Millet
Dan Millis
Drew Milsom
Louise Misztal
Ron Mitchell
Rod Mondt
Beth Morgan
Mike Morgan
Sue Morse
Axhel Munoz
Ray Nagle
Aletris Neils
Juan Ochoa
Jennifer Oliver
Scott Olmstead
Diane Ouradnik
Nohelya Pacheco
Hoyos
Jonathan Paklaian
John Palting
Patricia Pawlicki
Alexandra Permar
Pat Phelan
Cindy Pierard
Carolina Piña Paez
Scot Pipkin
Barbara Poulin
Cynthia Prendergast
Steve Prendergast
Tom Pringle
Polly Ready
Crystal Reedy
Kim Rego
Sande Rego-Ross
Ana Lilia Reina
Guerrero
Kelly Robertson
Graciela Robinson
Carlos Robles
Martha Robles
Hector Robles
Chris Roll
Lisa Romano
Addy Rose
Frank Rose
Stormy Rose
Sy Rotter
Stephanie Rozzo
Dieter Schaefer
Cassandra
Scheffman
Krista Schlyer
Justin Schmidt
Krista Schmidt
Marjanne Schnarr
Matt Schultz
Leslie Schupp
Greg Schuster
Joe Schwanz
Leslie Sellgren
Randy Serraglio
Ron Serviss
Jon Shumaker
Nicole Siqueiros
Tom Skinner
Matt Skroch
Diane Smith
Greg Smith
Costas Sofianos
Christine St. Onge
Birdie Stabel
Patty Stern
Donna Stevens
Claire Stielstra
Sheridan Stone
Kristina Stramler
Mary Sweeney
David Tenen
Bill Thornton
Sue Thornton
Scott Trageser
Arthur Transue
JD Trebec
Dale Turner
Anna Van Devender
Tim Van Devender
Gerardo Vega
Megan WallaMurphy
Lorene Wapotich
Storm Waters
Norm Watson
Christa Weise
Jeff Whitmore
Matt Wiechert
Cynthia Wolf
Daun York
Nancy Zierenberg
Jan Zinkl
www.skyislandalliance.org
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This year, SIA’s staff and board
crafted a bold and ambitious
four-year strategic plan.
Through all aspects of implementing this
plan, we will strive to be innovative,
anticipate opportunities and challenges,
stay ahead of the curve, and set the
agenda. Our principal focus will continue to
be leading conservation efforts on the
ground (through active science, restoration
and improved connectivity) and through
formalized mechanisms (planning, policy
and special designations) as the most
effective organization working exclusively
for protection and restoration of this
region’s mountain islands and desert seas.
We will think forward.
We will think big.
We will act.
Sunset in la Sierra Oposura, Sonora.
courtesy Chip Hedgcock
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www.skyislandalliance.org
As we look to the future…
Working toward resiliency in the face of climate change
SIA has been functionally warding off the encroaching impacts of climate
change since its inception in 1991 — advocating for adaptive management,
reducing non-climate stressors, protecting habitat cores, defragmenting the
landscape, controlling invasive species, and documenting changes on the
landscape. Over the next three years, SIA will be focused more explicitly on
climate change adaptation in this region, collaboratively developing climatesmart adaptive land management strategies and policies and ensuring their
successful implementation. Concurrently, we will augment and adjust our
ongoing core and corridor restoration and protection activities, increasing
resistance and resilience of systems to a changing climate. This is a critical
step forward in ensuring that we are effectively applying all the resources at
our disposal to the most urgent conservation needs in the region.
Monitoring the border;
reestablishing continental connectivity
Baseline monitoring of environmental impacts — determining the current onthe-ground status of border infrastructure and its construction — is essential
for informing policy and decision makers, crafting effective mitigation
measures, and planning restoration efforts — including reasoned removal of
physical barriers to wildlife habitat connectivity. Of special monitoring
concern are federally protected areas, threatened or endangered plant and
animal species, and watersheds on both sides of the border. Ultimately, with
joy, we will work to renew the natural processes which have been interrupted
— restoring watersheds, revegetating native landscapes, and reestablishing
continental connectivity.
Increasing designated wilderness in the Land of
Legends
Sky Island Alliance has taken yet another progressive step by working to
secure protection for three significant areas in Cochise County, Arizona, as
Congressionally-designated Wilderness. Our campaign is designed to
recognize and highlight not only the unique natural history of the region but
also the historic and prehistoric values captured in this, the Land of Legends.
Relatively undisturbed wildlife exists at El Aribabi.
courtesy Paul Hirt
Sergio Avila setting up a new remote camera. courtesy
Paul Condon
Cochise County’s Land of Legends.
courtesy SIA archives
www.skyislandalliance.org
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Our deep appreciation to our 2009
supporters. Your faith has made our work
possible; your generosity exemplifies your
commitment to protecting and restoring our
Sky Islands. Thank you one and all.
$10,000 and above
Campaign for America’s Wilderness
J.M. Kaplan Fund
New Mexico Environment
Department
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Turner Foundation
Veolia Environment Foundation
Wilburforce Foundation
Wyss Foundation
$1,000 to $9,999
Animas Foundation
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Defenders of Wildlife
Bonnie Kay
Clark Family Foundation
Lyle & Vera Dethlefsen
Mary Diaz-Przybyl
Ellie & Bill Kurtz
Paul Hirt* & Linda Jakse**
Richard & Susan Krueger
MET Foundation
Patagonia
Bill & Alice Roe
Dale Turner* & Julia Fonseca
$500 to $999
Rich & Nancy Bohman
Nancy Bower
Shawn Burke
Carol Cullen* & Bruce Pheneger
Kevin Dahl* & Bam Miller
David & Joan Ebert
Brooke Gebow*/**
Diana Hadley & Peter Warshall*
Sadie Hadley* & Sage Goodwin
Lil & David Hunsaker
Pam Hyde-Nakai & Carlos Nakai
Pat Jessup
Carol Keck** & David Rupley
Ed & Madeleine Moore
Louise Misztal* & Randy Serraglio
Elizabeth Murfee & Dino DeConcini
Laurinda Oswald
Juan Rascón Rubio
Chris Roll*
18
www.skyislandalliance.org
Summit Hut
Michael & Cyndi Tuell
Nick Van Kleeck
Robert Witzeman
$250 to $499
Briggs & Pat Ackert
Thomas Becker
Curt Bradley & Jennifer Katcher
Dorita Brady
Susan Buchan
Anne Carl & Al Anderson
David Coblentz**
Don Davis & Diana Wheeler
Laurence de Bure & Sy Rotter
Frank & Kate Draper
Howard & Patricia* Frederick
Jeri Edwards
Audrey & Arthur Emerson
Dianne Engleke**
Peter Ffolliott**
Food Conspiracy Co-op
Glenn Furnier & Aida Castillo-Flores
Fritz & Gayle Jandrey
Mari Jensen & Karl Flessa
Steve Marlatt*
Cecilia McNicoll
Christina & Douglas McVie
Barbara & Floyd Miller
Justin Nast
Chuck & Pat Pettis
Michael Quinlan
Phil & Julia Rosen
Kathie & Alan Schroeder
Cecil & Carol Schwalbe
Tom Slawson
David & Nely Stratton
Bob Tafanelli
Ron Thompson & Gordon Whiting,
Primero Conservation Outfitters,
LLC
Leon Tsai & Diana Chapin-Tsai
Tony Vaccaro, Brooklyn Pizza
Company
Tim & Anna Van Devender
Sandi Wagelie
Elaine Walsh
Jim Watson & Anne Berry
Norm & Linda Watson
Nancy Zierenberg* & Rod Mondt*
$100 to $249
John Alcock
Timothy Allen
Sandra Almasy, Creative
Costumes
James Ambrose**
Louise & Andy
Anderson**
Sandy Anderson
Anonymous
Sergio Avila* & Jenny
Neeley
Diana Barnes-Freshwater
& David Freshwater
Jack Bartley
Patti Baynham**
Alice Bennett**
Acasia Berry*/**
David Bertelsen
Jean-Paul Bierny & Chris
Tanz
Dave Bilgray
Alan & Krista Binnie
Steve Boberg & Lynn
Mowery
Sophia Bowart
Maritza Broce**
Jeanne & Robert Broome
Lori Bryant**
Elizabeth Buchroeder
Stephen Buck
Jean Calhoun
Steve Carson, Rangeland
Hands
Jefferson & Constance
Carter
Andrea Chappell
Laura Cleveland
Mich Coker**
A.T. & Cinda Cole
Charles Cole & Carol
Townsend
Paul & Lorna Condon
Justin Congdon & Nancy
Dickson
Kathy Cooper
Lynn Crew & Aaron Miller
Melanie Culver**
Ed Curley & Kathleen
Fockler
Dagmar Cushing & Dana
Deeds
Nicholas Czaplewski
Bob Davis
Jonathan Davis & Sylvia
Marinas**
Virginia Dean & Don
Demeritt
Arthur Dilley
Bill Doelle & Linda Mayro
Rene & Anthony
Donaldson
Fran Dostillio
Doug Duncan
Charles & Betty Eldon
Melanie Emerson*/**
Pam Emerson
Roy & Fran Emrick
Kim Etherington
Donald Falk
Elizabeth Farkas
George Farmer & Linda
Zatopek**
Deena Fishbein*
Warren Forrey
Joseph & Patricia Frannea
Caroline Fraser & Harold
Espen
Peter Friederici
Carianne Funicelli
Campbell
Robert Garrett & Mary
Hotvedt
Shannon Ginn
Kirsten Girdner &
Bradford Hazzard
Rodney Glassman
Neil Goodwin
Cherie Ann Gossett
Phil & Kaye Gray
Green Valley Hiking Club
Bruce Gungle
Donna Guy
Suzanne Haddock
Gustav Hall
Homer Hansen,
Aplomado
Environmental
Jonathan & Roseann
Hanson**
David & Billie Hardy
Gretchen Harkins
Jim & Kathy Haun
Phillip Hedrick &
Catherine Gorman
Robert Herdliska & Fran
Altieri**
Bruce Hilpert
Jack Holder
Peter Hubbell
Billie Hughes**
Helen Ingram & David
Laird
Mike & Susan Ingram
Les Johnson
Cory Lee Jones
Arlene Kellman
Jack Kiser & Denise
Bounous
Larry & Judith Laing**
Jessica Lamberton*
Ken & Karen Lamberton
Rudi Lambrechtse
Beth Lang
Tracy Lassen
Nicole LeBlanc
Beth & Ed Leuck**
Jackie & Winston Lewis
Howard & Barbara Lilley
Lois Loescher
Lyn Loveless
Jeff & Becky MacEwen**
Lucy & Marshall
Magruder**
Jack & Katherine Marietta
Wilmet Marlatt
Rob Marshall
Susan Mast
Gayle & Evelyn McClure
Sharon McDonoughMeans
John McLean
Jim McPherson**
Kaitlin Meadows & Albert
Lannon
Narca Moore-Craig &
Alan Craig
Steven & Lois Morris
Sue Morse, Keeping
Track
Dawn Myers
Carl Noggle
Hella Nordberg & Alicia
Tonnies
Mary Oleary
Katharine Olmstead
Nancy Pearce
Linda Peery
Marie Claude Perigon
Kalman Pijawka
Dale Pogorelski
Margaret Pope & Norman
Epstein
Peter & Marita Prandoni
Luther Propst & Liz Storer
Ron Pulliam
Mike Quigley*
John Rawlins & Sylvia
Dunn
Richard & Laura Reilly**
Diana Rhoades & Michael
Finkelstein
Patricia Rorabaugh &
Matthew Johnson
Stephanie Rozzo
Laura & Paul Sagerman
Justin & Li Shen Schmidt
Staffan Schorr & Susan
Shobe
William Scott
Leslie Sellgren
Miriam Smead
Andrew & Harriet Smith
Greg Smith & Karen
Worcester
Helen & Noel Snyder
Donna Stevens & Van
Clothier
Ron & Renell Stewart
Julie St. John*/**
Bron & Beth Taylor
Michael Terrio
Walker Thomas
Bill Thornton
Lorraine Titus & Kim
Vacariu
Herb Trossman
John Urban & Robert
Claassen
Robert & Adelaide
Valentine
Brian Vandervoet
Joseph Vaughan
Elizabeth Vierling
Jim Walters
Marisa Wampler & Marcia
Locke
Catherine Wanek & Pete
Fust**
Janelle Weakly & Scotty
Johnson
Mark Wentley
Elaine West & Kevin Sharp
Cindy Wicker & Kent
Jacobs
Anthony & Suzanne
Wight**
Jeff Williamson
Mary Wintermantel**
Gary Wommack**
Ish Wood**
Anthony Wright
Wanda Wynne & Craig
Marken
David Yetman
Robert Zierenberg
Ross Zimmerman & Pam
Golden
* Sky Island Alliance
Board or Staff
** Monthly or Quarterly
Donors
Sky Island Alliance is
committed to spending
donor dollars wisely —
please consider becoming
a monthly or quarterly
donor and effectively
supporting our ongoing
and emerging work.
Many, many thanks to the following
friends for their in-kind support to
Sky Island Alliance in 2009:
$2,000 and above
Emilio Kifuri, Canyon Travel
Juan Rascón Rubio, Sierra
Network Solutions
Reed & Pat Mencke
$500 to $999
Janet Hare, The Lodge at
Ventana Canyon
Gary Williams
Zeedyk Ecological
Consulting, LLC
Up to $499
Art for Conservation
ASU College of Liberal Arts
ASU Institute for Humanities
ASU Northern American
Center for Transborder
studies
ASU School of Geographical
Sciences & Urban Planning
ASU School of Historical,
Philosophical & Religious
Studies
Bisbee Coffee Co.
Border Action Network
Borderlands Trading Co.
Summer Celeste
Central School Project
China Mist Tea
Lorna Condon
Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation
Carol Cullen
Engrained Café
Kelli Gaither-Banchoff, Tucson
Touch Therapies
Sadie Hadley & Sage Goodwin
Chip Hedgcock
Paul Hirt and Linda Jakse
The Historic YWCA
Tamara Jones, Bookman’s
Recycled Entertainment
Latin America Network
Scott Mencke, The Hut
Migrant Resource Center &
Shelter
Carlos Nakai
Northern Jaguar Project
Bruce Pheneger Architect
Sierra Club
Julie St. John
Mark Thomson, Plaza Liquors
David Tiers
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Dale Turner
University of Arizona Latin
American Studies Dept.
University of Arizona Poetry
Center
Tom Van Devender
Cynthia Wolf, Wild by Nature
www.skyislandalliance.org
19
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PAID
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