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Lochiel tree-sitting protest crosses border into Mexico, effectively halting construction
The San Rafael Valley border wall protest is now binational.
An Aug. 18 press release from the online Sonoran Desert Press Office reports a first sighting of a tree-sitter on the Mexico side of the border in the San Rafael Valley. Local advocate for The Center for Biological Diversity, Russ McSpadden, posted a video on instagram while visiting both sites.
The tree in question is yet another “grandmother” cottonwood at the fence line, with overhanging major branches and of course, roots that cross the divide. Together with the “sit” on the American side, this new action is the latest step in a growing movement to halt construction of a double wall in the Lochiel area, effectively blocking both layers of wall.
McSpadden’s Instagram reel pays tribute to the growing momentum behind the movement and quickly attracted over 3,000 likes in the first few hours after posting.
“I almost have no words. From Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, the Tohono O’odham Nation and California communities are standing and saying yes to unity, no to the wall, yes to the wild, no to steel and militarization.”
Zach Palma, a resident of both Naco, Sonora, and Naco, Arizona, told the Sonoran Desert Press Office: “This resistance isn’t new, but there’s new energy behind our binational community, gathering together against this physical and social attack on our home. If this wall is built, history will show that it was done against the will of the people who call this land home. And we have a specific long-term agenda item: to bring this wall down.”
Ruben Peralta, former Mayor of Santa Cruz, Sonora, reported from the Mexican side of the border that he was told a deal had been made between construction crews and protesters to halt construction in the area where cones had been placed to protect the trees. The PRT could not independently confirm his account.
A love of place that no wall can keep out
By Gary Paul Nabhan
On the 104-degree Fahrenheit afternoon of July 26, nearly 100 people piled in cars, vans, and buses. They braved the hour-long drive from Ajo, Arizona, to the Quitobaquito oasis at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
The oasis stands among the most biodiverse and ecologically significant landscapes in Arizona’s National Park system, where Indigenous cultural features may reach back 16,000 years. It also stands in the shadows of a 30-foot-tall metal wall along the international boundary line, one to be complemented by a second so-called “smart wall” that will require the removal or destruction of even more native plants than the first wall.
Families from the Tohono O’odham Nation as well as Sonora, Mexico, and Arizona border communities had come together that July day for a Hands Around the Springs ceremony organized by the International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA). Founded in 1993, the nonprofit works to “hold space for and convene stakeholders around topics of preservation and stewardship of the Sonoran Desert.”
Just before sunset, as everyone gathered around the shores of the acre-sized pool in the oasis or waded into its warm waters, Hia-C’ed O’odham elder Lorraine Eiler, an octogenarian descendant of former residents of the oasis and one of ISDA’s founders, offered this blessing in her native language and in English:
“Let us offer a prayer to our Creator to protect this place that is now being threatened by the construction of a second wall… It has always been here for the animals and plants and all the rest of us. It is the heart of the Sonoran Desert and yet is has now been put at risk.”
Click here to continue reading.
Citizen Science Project aims to assist with firefly conservation efforts
By Carrie White
Native to this area or not, chances are that you’ve probably never seen a firefly here.
Lightbulb moment — no surprise.
Richard Joyce said Arizona fireflies are very “location specific,” and “you’re not going to see them at certain times of year.”
Joyce, an endangered species conservation biologist for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, gives us all a pass — fireflies are easy to miss.
Although it is now prime firefly season, thanks to the recent monsoons. They can be found in Creek beds, cienegas and ravines. An exhibit at the Patagonia Library spells out where these winged beetles can be found and offers an opportunity to take part in collecting data on them and assisting with conservation efforts.
The project, the FireflyAtlas.org Citizen Science Project, started in 2022. Forms for participating in the information gathering can be picked up at the library, or they can be downloaded from the website. The library display also gives recommendations on where to find the “moon bugs,” a playful but unscientific name for them.
Click here to continue reading.
SEFD board agenda for Aug. 24 includes update on Gutfahr litigation
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. in the meeting room at the station house, 3173 N. Highway 83 in Sonoita. The meeting is open to the public and also available via Zoom, meeting ID 839 6668 2690.
Agenda items include:
- An update on the status of Santa Cruz County’s litigation and recovery efforts related to the theft of public funds by former County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr.
- Presentation, discussion and possible action recognizing United Firefighters of Sonoita, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5597, as the official representative body for full-time SEFD firefighters.
- Presentation, discussion and possible action on a funding request of up to $75,000 for starting and completing Phase I of the Elgin Fire Resources Facility.
- Presentation, discussion and possible action on the recruitment and selection of a candidate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of board member Robert Garber.
- Presentation, discussion and possible action on a request by the Calabasas Alliance and University of Arizona to install a Purple Air monitor on first district property to assist with air quality research related to the South32 Hermosa mine.
- The board might vote to enter an executive session to discuss employment matters concerning chief Marc Meredith. Any action arising from the session would take place in public (open) session.
The complete agenda is attached.
Mustangs 4-H Club gearing up for County Fair
By Cienna Beyer
Members of the Mustangs 4-H Club are busy preparing their projects and animals for this year’s fair, which will be held Sept. 18–20. They have been working throughout the year to prepare for this buck wild event and are looking forward to showcasing their hard work and skill.
The fair is a great opportunity for 4-H members to share what they have learned through their projects and compete with other members. The Mustangs 4-H Club encourages the community to come out and support our members during the fair!
Moonshot Rural Pitch competition is coming to Nogales on Aug. 28
Calling all entrepreneurs, innovators, risk takers and big-idea thinkers looking for a little help getting the next great thing to the launching pad.
Startup Unidos is partnering with Moonshot and the Wittner Museum to bring the Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Competition to Nogales on Aug. 28. This is an opportunity for Santa Cruz County entrepreneurs, small business owners, artists, innovators and people with an idea they want to build to get on stage, pitch, and compete for funding and additional opportunities.
The competition is open to all county residents and is free to enter. It will be held at the Wittner Museum, 204 N. Morley Ave., starting at 9 a.m. Entrants will compete for $2,250 in prize money, and all competitors will be granted an annual Moonshot membership valued at $5,500. The local winner will advance to the state finals in Phoenix on Oct. 24, with an opportunity to compete for a $10,000 prize, plus a $5,000 Crowd Favorite Award.
Click on this link to register and for more information.
Chess in the Garden!
This just in from the Patagonia Community Garden:
SEFD requests public help in planning for 20th birthday celebration
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District is inviting the community to help celebrate its 20th birthday on Monday, Sept. 28.
The open-house celebration will immediately follow the district board meeting, which is also open to the public. Community members will have an opportunity to meet and mingle with district personnel, learn about the district’s history and get a closer look at the station house.
As part of the celebration, fire chief Marc Meredith is asking for the public’s help in documenting the district’s history.
“My guess is there are people who might have photo albums or old documents, maybe from before we became a district, or early on when we became a district,” Meredith said. “Anything that might be interesting, we’re putting together a bit of a history timeline to put on display. I’d be happy to see anything.”
Meredith said the birth of the fire district was a significant milestone for the Sonoita-Elgin area. The bay at the fire station was built in 1989, but prior to 2006, the community relied on Sonoita-Elgin Emergency Services Inc., a nonprofit private entity, for fire and emergency medical services.
“They were relying on donations,” he said. “Flipping pancakes in order to put fuel in the truck, in order to buy turnouts for the firefighters.
Meredith spoke about the departments rising expectations and said, “I think what we’re able to offer folks is pretty remarkable being a small rural agency.”
“You don’t have anybody at the station 24-7, you don’t have anybody paid to be at the station. By becoming a special tax district, we immediately had more ability to take care of this community from the get-go.
There are three options for anyone wanting to contribute photos and documents for the celebration: email them to flaherty@sefd911.ofg; text to 520-988-5162; or hand-deliver them to the station Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
From Santa Cruz County:
JP-East Justice Court services are available every first and third Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sonoita Community Space/County Building. We provide civil services, including small claims, civil complaints, evictions, orders of protection and weddings — bringing access to justice closer to Elgin, Sonoita, Canelo and Patagonia. We’re here to serve our community with fairness, empathy and integrity. Call: (520) 375-7661.
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. To list an event, please submit by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
From Elgin School Parent Teacher Club:
The Elgin PTC is looking for new members to join our team and help make our school an even more amazing place for our students, staff, and families! Whether you can volunteer a few hours a month or help with a specific event, there is a place for everyone in the PTC! Interested in learning more? Send us a message at Elginptc@elgink12.com. We’d love to have you join our flock! Together, we can help Elgin soar even higher!
Upcoming Events
To list an event, please submit an image file in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Fresh vegetable distribution Mondays at the Patagonia Senior Center
Come with friends and pick up your weekly fresh vegetables from East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank every Monday at the Patagonia Senior Center (100 Quiroga Ln, Patagonia) at 10:30am. Take what you need and give what you can.
The Sonoita Food Pantry at The Vine Church is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Monthly bird walks at the Paton Center
From the Paton Center:
Fun news: we will now be having regular monthly Paton Center bird walks led by docent Wayne Smith on the fourth Saturday of every month! Join us for a relaxing morning featuring short, easy walks (less than a mile total) along trails like the Cuckoo Corridor and Gray Hawk Birding Trail. We’ll also spend some unhurried time enjoying the activity around the bird feeders.
-Alexis Stark, Paton Center Site Manager
Boat tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)
- 9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
- Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.
Call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791
Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Highway 83, Sonoita. Doors open at 6:30. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Farmers Markets
Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market – Thursdays 10am-12pm by Red Mountain Foods.
Sonoita Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings 9am-12pm at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot (NW corner of Hwy 82/83)
Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia Community United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
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