I grew up 11 miles -- as the white-winged dove flies -- from the confluence of the Santa Cruz River and the Gila River. 

​

 The river holds significant ecological, cultural, and social value while being a true example of connectivity, as it links three nations while flowing through Arizona, the Tohono O’odham Nation, and Sonora, México. The Santa Cruz also carries a story of resiliency. The river that had brought water to this region for over 12,000 years dried up in the mid-20th century and was listed as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers. Through revitalization efforts, the flow of water has been restored along some parts of the river but is not guaranteed to remain. Sonoran Institute has identified the continued need for restoration efforts on the river as well as a need to bring visibility and recognition of its value to public awareness in order to inspired long-term connection and stewardship.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​