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Photo of the Week
The Mustangs are hiding beneath this magnificent tail of sunset clouds. Breathtaking evening! — Pat McNamara, Elgin, Feb. 7, 2026
News
Agreement with South32 would bring up to $2.3 million for Patagonia-related projects
The “Early-Action Community Investment Agreement” with South32 that Patagonia’s Town Council will be discussing and possibly voting on at a hastily called special meeting Wednesday evening would see the mining company fund up to $2.3 million in projects in Patagonia over the next 12 months.
The draft agreement arrives in advance of the U.S. Forest Service’s publication of its Final Environmental Impact Statement for South32’s Hermosa project on Friday, March 6, beginning a new 60-day period of public review.
According to the 17-page draft of the investment agreement published online Tuesday afternoon, South32 has agreed to fund the following Patagonia-based projects over the next 12 months:
- Expand fire and EMS, infrastructure: up to $630,000
- Designs to expand Patagonia main office to create a space for the local Marshall’s Office: up to $300,000
- Patagonia Flood Control Study Phase II (Facilitated by County): up to $380,000
- Design for expansion of clinic for imaging, ER, and crisis counseling: up to $500,000
- Design and concept drawings for Patagonia daycare birth to 5: up to $150,000
- Design and engineering for Affordable Housing Project: up to $350,000
For context, the Town of Patagonia’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026, adopted last May, is $4.3 million.
Besides South32 and the Town of Patagonia, the investment agreement’s signatories are Santa Cruz County and the City of Nogales. According to the draft agreement, South32 has agreed to fund the following Santa Cruz County-centered projects over the next 12 months:
- Protections Roadmap: up to $300,000
- Independent Emergency Services Audit: assess the readiness, gaps, and coordination capabilities of emergency services in the region: up to $200,000
- Support to Mariposa mobile clinic for remote and underserved areas. (Includes equipment and possibly staffing): up to $200,000
- Purchase County Mobile Health Vehicle/Clinic to increase convenient access to primary care, immunizations, screenings, and health education: up to $100,000
- Housing Project study and design for Mariposa residency program (Countywide): up to $150,000
- Vehicle purchase for Mariposa Clinic transportation programs: up to $220,000
- Create a strategic childcare plan for the entire County. Work toward solutions for capacity, affordability, and quality. Will look for partnerships from private business, government, and nonprofits: up to $150,000
- County wide parks, recreation, and open space master plan. This covers parks, birding, trails (horse, hiking, walking), cycling, sports facilities, natural open spaces, and recreation programming. Includes inventory and needs assessment, economic impact, possible impacts from growth, environmental considerations, and a strategic plan with a CIP: up to $150,000
- Update current Santa Cruz County Housing Strategy 22-27 and create an implementation strategy which includes regulatory changes, affordable housing projects, environmental considerations, and infrastructure expansion with CIP. Would emphasize housing for middle income professions such as teachers: up to $150,000
Click here to read/download the entire draft agreement.
The governments of the Town, City and County are scheduled to conduct near-simultaneous meetings Wednesday evening to discuss and take possible action on the draft agreement with the mining company.
The County Supervisors’ meeting will be held Wednesday at 5:30 pm at the
Santa Cruz County Complex (2150 N. Congress Drive, Room 120) in Nogales. The meeting will livestream at youtube.com/@santacruzcountyarizona/live. Information on how members of the public can participate in this meeting is in the meeting agenda document, available here.
The Patagonia Town Council meeting will be held Wednesday at 6:00 pm in Council chambers at Patagonia Town Hall. Space inside the Council chambers is limited to 47 people. Zoom access is available via MEETING I.D. 957-511-4862 and PASSCODE 338501.
Greetings from the Paton Center’s new site manager
By Alexis Stark
I am honored to introduce myself as I step into the Site Manager role at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds. As an avid naturalist with a deep love for hummingbirds, conservation, and community education, I look forward to continuing the Patons’ legacy by keeping this special place welcoming for all, while expanding meaningful learning opportunities for visitors and our Patagonia community. My goal is to help foster a thriving network of people dedicated to bird conservation and the long-term health of the Sonoita Creek watershed.
We are also deeply grateful to former site manager Tom Brown, who will continue helping with projects around the Paton Center. Tom’s hard work, especially on the beautiful new bathrooms and ongoing renovations, has made a lasting difference. His care and craftsmanship have helped sustain the Patons’ vision, and we are thankful he remains part of the team.
Lastly, I wanted to note a few upcoming volunteer opportunities and Paton Center events. We are looking for friendly volunteers to help with gardening, habitat restoration, greeting visitors as Birding Ambassadors, leading bird walks, youth & family nature education, and cleaning bird feeders. Whether you have a green thumb, enjoy sharing bird knowledge, or simply want to help keep our sanctuary thriving, we would love to hear from you. Email astark@tucsonbirds.org to get involved and help us create a welcoming space for birds, wildlife, and people alike. Additionally, we would love for you to join us at an upcoming family friendly Plant Walk on Monday, March 15. For event details and to sign up, click here.
Santa Cruz Little League looking for sponsors
The Sky Islands’ most fantastical bird
By Vince Pinto
What is an iconic bird typical of southern Arizona, or the American Southwest in general?
Several candidates come to mind. There’s the cactus wren, which is, after all, our official state bird. Those in the ornithological know might posit the ornate Montezuma quail, which barely enters the United States. Harris’s hawk, Mexican duck and several other species are also contenders.
I believe, however, that the most votes would go to the greater roadrunner of cartoon fame, although it must be conceded that this species can be found far outside the arid Southwest, ranging into central California and all the way east to western Missouri and Louisiana. Further, within this broad range, greater roadrunners can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts — Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan — but also grasslands, and various types of woodlands.
Taxonomically speaking, greater roadrunners are members of the cuckoo family, which includes the yellow-billed cuckoo that breeds in the Sky Islands region. If you are wondering why I keep using the modifier “greater,” the answer is simple: a second species lives south of the border in Mexico, the lesser roadrunner. Befitting its name, this smaller species resembles a juvenile greater roadrunner. Both species bear the hallmark zygodactyl toe arrangement common to all cuckoo species — two toes forward and two pointing backwards. Add to this the long, powerful beak; a crest often expressively raised or withdrawn; a bare-skinned red and blue facial patch; iridescent, metallic-green plumage; as well as often animated behavior; and you have the makings of a legendary bird. Click here to continue reading
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
ADOT’s SR 83 lane restrictions in Sonoita are scheduled to continue through April: click here for more information
Civil court in session this Friday, Mar. 6, in Sonoita
JP-East Justice Court services are available every 1st and 3rd Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 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.
(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.
From Patagonia Parent-Teacher Booster Club:
Dine out for a great cause! Join us for our upcoming restaurant fundraisers and help support Patagonia students, events, and activities. Bring your family and friends and dine local on these upcoming dates! Click here for more details.
Free Fridays STEAM class for 4th-8th graders in Patagonia
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!
From Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch:
March 6 at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch: join Olya Weekley from the Tucson Bird Alliance to learn more about the hidden hazards in bird-friendly yards.
RSVP required! Sign up for this and future potlucks: https://bit.ly/2026potlucks
March 6, 2026 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch
RSVP: https://bit.ly/2026potlucks
Bring a dish to share
From the Patagonia Museum:
The Patagonia Museum has been chosen to host the “Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum” on Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Patagonia Museum, 320 School Street. This traveling museum is housed in a 40-foot trailer and will be parked on our museum grounds. The traveling museum includes Arizona’s replica of the Liberty Bell as well as exhibits on American and Arizona history, as our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We hope to see you all on this very special day.
Are we excited that 2026 is the Year of the Horse? You bet your boots we are!
Come ride through rolling hills on trails that cowboys have travelled for over 100 years during our annual Spring Trail Ride on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Historic Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ.
Two-hour guided rides depart at 8:00 am, 11:00 am & 2:00 pm. Rent a horse or Bring Your Own. Enjoy live music, docent tours, and lunch before or after your ride.
Registration closes on March 23, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to experience a piece of authentic western history! Sign-up today: empireranchfoundation.org
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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.
Thursdays: ‘Open Forum‘ at Patagonia Senior Center
A time to share personal stories, interests and ideas.
Thursdays at 1pm after senior lunch
February 26: THE LORD’S PRAYER — Chuck Kelly on the prayer, as understood in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke
An 80-year-long study by Harvard University found that the quality of our relationships helps us live longer, happier lives, more so than genetics.
Community provides the grounding force of being seen, known, and supported through life’s ups and downs. There is space in our lives for both self-care and community care.
The phrase ‘inconvenience is the cost of community’ has become a popular slogan online, referring to the effort required to maintain meaningful connections with others—effort which we seemingly are less and less willing to make, even as we crave connection.
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.
Research Fellow at Appleton-Whittell Ranch
We’re now accepting applications for our 2026 cohort of Appleton-Whittell Research Fellows.
Each year this program awards up to three early-career scientists with:
- A cash award of $1,000 to be used on any research-related expenses; gear, books, travel, conferences, etc.
- A $500 housing voucher to be used for lodging on the Research Ranch
- Opportunities to share their work through our annual AWRR Fellowship Webinar Series and Audubon websites, newsletters, social media, and more
Applications are due by midnight on March 30 and more information (including eligibility details, information about past fellows, and a scoring rubric) can be found here.
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.
Our Advertisers
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