District 5 applicants praise Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, emphasize balancing growth and habitat protection

Candidates for the Pima County District 5 supervisor vacancy gave broadly positive assessments of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan at a League of Women Voters forum, calling it a model for balancing conservation and sustainable development.

Andres Cano described the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan as “one of the smartest policies that the board of supervisors has ever adopted,” saying it encourages smart growth, protects native species and improves air and water conservation standards. Kimberly Viesa called the plan “an absolute gem,” noting that it, along with the multi‑species conservation framework and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 10 incidental take permit, enables both conservation and predictable development.

Nut graf: Candidates across the forum said conserving natural and cultural resources in District 5 — home to Tucson Mountain Park, Saguaro National Park and the Santa Cruz riparian corridor — supports biodiversity, cultural preservation and economic benefits such as ecotourism.

Speakers emphasized several recurring themes: maintaining habitat connectivity, protecting waterways and archaeological sites, and ensuring that conservation policies are compatible with measured growth. Carla Bernal Morales highlighted the importance of safeguarding waterways and cultural sites and committing to public engagement in land‑use decisions; Kimberly Viesa noted the region’s parks and public lands as attractions that support economic development.

Several candidates linked conservation to broader county responsibilities. Cano said the supervisor’s land‑use oversight should ask whether plans “promote smart growth, protect our environment, and benefit our community.” Other speakers noted the role of ecotourism and the need to respect Indigenous cultural resources and wildlife dependencies — for example, one candidate remarked on ecological interdependencies such as pollinators’ role in maintaining saguaros.

What was not discussed in detail: No candidate outlined specific amendments to the plan or a precise land‑use permit threshold. While the Section 10 permit and multi‑species measures were referenced, candidates did not provide ordinance numbers, permit conditions or maps ofaffected parcels.

Ending: All candidates expressed support for conservation-minded land use in District 5 while calling for continued public engagement and coordinated planning to balance growth and resource protection.