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Tucson Audubon Society After close to 6 years of work, Pima County is nearing completion of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP). The goal of the SDCP is to plan for future growth in a manner that protects our natural environment—our land, our water, and our way of life—and also meets the requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act. The Tucson Audubon Society, along with the 40 other conservation and neighborhood groups that comprise the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, has been participating diligently through the many opportunities for public input. With recommendations from other community members involved in the SDCP process, we are helping to finalize the details for a "Community Vision" that will enable the plan to meet the goals of the SDCP in a way that truly reflects the community’s values: pride in the unique natural and cultural heritage; concern for working families; and a desire to protect and better the quality of life for future generations. In the meantime, community members are working with the County to develop an open-space bond package for the May 18, 2004 election to begin funding for the plan, essentially a "down payment" on our future. By mid-January, the Board of Supervisors will release a detailed proposal for the May ballot that will describe the lands proposed for protection, and their importance to the goals of the SDCP. Although there will be other County projects on the ballot as well, we hope to have approximately $250 million allocated to protecting these important areas. You will have the opportunity to show your support for the "Community Vision" and the open-space bond in the upcoming months. We will be alerting Tucson Audubon member to opportunities for public action on the bond and the SDCP, so stay tuned for your chance to help shape Pima County’s future for the better! The County will need to hear as much support for it as possible; otherwise, they may be pressured by opponents into short-changing the goals of the plan and our community’s quality of life. During this holiday season... Please take time to remember our precious environment. Here are some ways you can express your respect and gratitude for our natural treasures: · Take advantage of the time spent with family and friends to share information about this important plan and its potential for the future of our community. Nothing is more important than our future, and we will need folks like you to help make it the best possible. Who better to encourage than family and friends to get involved? Participating in a new activity is easier when someone you know is already involved. · Donate to your favorite conservation organization, or ask your family to consider donating in lieu of gifts. Not only does this help protect the environment, your example will help to instill an ethic of concern for our natural resources that will benefit the environment for years to come. · Write letters to the newspaper and to your Supervisor supporting the goals of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the Open-Space Bond election. The environment, and groups concerned about it, need all the champions they can get. The Coalition and Tucson Audubon are working hard, but folks need to know that our cause is supported by the community. · Schedule a presentation by the Coalition for your next community meeting. Help to spread the word about the plan, and give others the chance to show their support for the "Community Vision." To contact the Coalition about a presentation, call me at the office, 388-9925. · Attend a Board of Supervisors meeting in January to show your support for the Open-Space Bond. The Board of Supervisors has scheduled hearings in January to finalize the package for the Open-Space Bond measure. Subscribe to Tucson Audubon’s email list to be notified about the meeting at which we will need to "pack the hall!" (See Web Corner, page 27, for instructions.) · Volunteer to support the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the Open-Space Bond. To get more involved in promoting the protection of our Sonoran Desert through the SDCP and the Open-Space Bond election efforts, please contact the Coalition office at Carolyn@sonorandesert.org or 388-9925.
Bird questions? Check Birding | General questions? Contact: Tucson Audubon Society | Webmaster: Email This page was updated on 12/28/05 |