Help us collect data on a growing Willow Forest within city limits! Ever since we have been giving back water to our Santa Cruz River the trees have responded with amazing growth. To help protect and support this forest we need to have some data. Join us for a community science survey conducted through the River Run Network.

Tucson’s rivers, creeks, and arroyos historically were natural cooling areas, with riparian forests supported by natural floodplains and shallow groundwater areas. With development, flooding, and groundwater pumping, much of this riparian forest has been lost. A new riparian forest has sprung up along the Santa Cruz River in southern Tucson, in an area that over a century ago was a lush wetland with an extensive cottonwood-willow forest. The Goodings willow seedlings sprouted on their own in the last two years, thanks to rising groundwater levels and recycled water releases into the river. We have an opportunity to document, preserve, and protect this new riparian forest.

This event is organized through WMG’s River Run Network (RRN). The RRN is a program that honors the heritage of our rivers and the value that water holds for the peoples of Southern Arizona. We acknowledge the indigenous communities that have respected and stewarded our rivers for thousands of years and the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’odham, and Latino communities that continue to steward the rivers today. Members work together to learn about and steward our rivers through creek walks, restoration activities, river clean-ups, and educational workshops. If you are not yet a member, we will add you to the RRN when you register for this event. Membership is free and includes a regular e-newsletter with upcoming events.