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 Tucson Audubon Society
NW Side Pygmy-Owls and Open Space
by Chris McVie, Conservation Chair

The tiny predator that roared, the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (CFPO), has been removed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act as a result of a lawsuit filed years ago by the Southern Arizona and National Home Builders Associations.¹

Tucson Audubon has supported recent scientific research by Dr. Glenn Proudfoot, as well as Dr. Robert Steidl and Aaron Flesch, to advance our understanding of the Pygmy-Owl’s current status. Two of our members have had the honor of serving on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s CFPO Recovery Team. Tucson Audubon commented on the proposed delisting in October of 2005, stating: "We believe that new information on the distribution and population trends of CFPOs in Arizona and Mexico, coupled with new genetic information, provide a compelling rationale for maintaining the listing of the CFPO as endangered. Concurrently, using the best available scientific information and a biologic, as opposed to a political, perspective would warrant the analysis and consideration of listing a distinct population segment for the Sonoran Desert population of CFPOs as endangered."

Interestingly, the proposed final rule, which will take effect May 15, appears to indicate that there may be sufficient information to submit a new petition for listing the CFPO as endangered. If and when a new petition is filed, it will take a minimum of 90 days to be considered and could take much longer. In the interim, conservation of suitable CFPO habitat will depend in large part on the actions of Marana’s and Tucson’s Town Councils and Pima County’s and Pinal County’s Boards of Supervisors.

Both Marana and Pima County have repeatedly claimed that the long anticipated delisting will not effect their plans to pursue their respective Habitat Conservation Plans which include, and seek coverage for, the tiny raptor. However, at this time, Marana has still not adopted its long-promised overlay ordinance for its portion of the Tortolita Fan area and Pima County has yet to fully adopt and implement measures recommended by its Science Technical Advisory Team to protect and preserve suitable habitat on Tucson’s burgeoning northeast and northwest sides.

On a related topic, Mason Audubon Center neighbors and other residents of the northwest sub-region attended Pima County’s Conservation Acquisition Commission (CAC) meeting in March to advocate for purchase of the 2004 Open Space Bond-designated Priority Habitat Protection Parcels in the Tortolita Fan area. The last act of the 1997 Open Space Acquisition Review Committee was to recommend purchase of lands in this area. There are still approximately $6 million left of the 1997 bond monies, though their buying power is rapidly depreciating. Despite this, and the passage of the site-specific recommendations of the 2004 Open Space Bond, acquisition in this sub-region has lagged far behind other areas of Pima County.

At the April 12th meeting of the CAC, members of the environmental community and residents were encouraged that Commissioners recommended the pursuit of further due-diligence on parcels in this region that could promote connectivity between parcels already designated as protected natural open space. The critters of the old growth ironwood and saguaro forest are waiting to see if Pima County will actually purchase lands in an area where much of the county’s growth has been directed since the first Comprehensive Plan of 1992. We will keep you posted.

You have a unique opportunity to see what all the fuss is about—come and visit the incredible beauty and diversity of the old growth saguaro and ironwood forest habitat. Join us on May 20 for an evening of live music under the blooming ironwoods at the Mason Audubon Center (details on page 15, or go to our website at www.tucsonaudubon.org for more information). Stay informed and involved.