Coalition, landowners and federal staff press forward on Santa Cruz River national wildlife refuge

Luke Cole, director of the Santa Cruz River program at the Sonoran Institute, told the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on March 11 that work to establish a Santa Cruz River national wildlife refuge has moved into a federal land protection planning phase.

“Now there are Fish and Wildlife Service staff specifically working on this project,” Cole said, describing a process the coalition has pursued for nearly five years and calling the river corridor “a vital and rare wildlife corridor.”

The presentation summarized why coalition members say the corridor qualifies as a refuge: about 15 flowing miles in Santa Cruz County sustained by upgraded wastewater treatment plants, connected north–south migration routes for wildlife, and habitat for species of conservation concern. Cole said the coalition has submitted a landscape conservation design and that the Fish and Wildlife Service approved a land protection strategy that advances the project into a Land Protection Plan (LPP), which allocates federal staff and resources for establishing the refuge.

The coalition includes more than 40 community groups, elected officials, universities and landowners. Heather Redding of Land Advisors Organization, who said she represents the Jackson family on conservation planning, said the family has offered “over 7,500 acres, including 12 miles of the linear flowing part of the Santa Cruz River,” a contribution presenters said accelerated federal engagement.

“This is a true gem,” Redding said. “The Fish and Wildlife Service really sees this as what has engaged them in the refuge effort.”

Mike Quigley, Arizona state director for The Wilderness Society, told the board the river’s growing perennial flow provides an alternative north–south flyway for birds and other species and that protecting it would help regional biodiversity.

Local volunteers and nonprofit representatives also spoke during the meeting’s public-comment period. Pamela McGee, a volunteer with Friends of the Santa Cruz River, said, “We’re really excited to see it here,” and Sky Leon, a board member of Friends of the Santa Cruz River, said the proposal “would be just so incredible to create and have passed down to our next generation.”

Presenters emphasized that an administrative‑route national wildlife refuge can be co‑stewarded with local landowners and municipal partners and that designation itself does not impose new regulations on private landowners within a draft boundary. They also said public comment will occur if and when the Fish and Wildlife Service posts the LPP for review.

County supervisors and staff at the meeting repeatedly offered support. Supervisor Fanning told presenters, “You have my full support in whatever we can do to help.”

Presenters listed next steps that include public review of the LPP, refinement of an acquisition boundary if the project advances, continued coordination with tribal partners (including the San Xavier District) and congressional outreach to sustain federal support. They also noted the project received an America the Beautiful Challenge planning grant and that the University of Arizona and other partners provide technical support.

If the Fish and Wildlife Service completes the LPP and moves to acquire interests or accept donated land, presenters said federal staff would work with local partners on acquisition priorities and operations funding.

The presenters and county officials said they would return with updates as the Fish and Wildlife Service completes the LPP and posts materials for public comment.