Celebrating World Environment Day with Arizona’s Ecosystem Heroes
June 5th is World Environment Day, designated by the United Nations as an opportunity to focus on ecosystem restoration and protection. The UN’s Ecosystem Restoration Playbook highlights the importance of different ecosystems and actions that can be taken on restoration projects. Fortunately, Arizona is home to amazing groups doing incredible work to help combat the issues outlined in the playbook. Check out some LFA members that are restoring the state’s varied ecosystems.
Rivers
World Environment Day Fact: Approximately 30% of natural freshwater ecosystems have disappeared since 1970.
Friends of Verde River: Based in Cottonwood, Friends of the Verde River envisions a healthy, flowing Verde River and tributaries that support our natural environment, vibrant communities, and quality of life for future generations. The Verde River is one of Arizona’s last free-flowing rivers, and the dedicated team at Friends of the Verde River are engaged in a combination of “boots-on-the-ground” projects. Their restoration team works on removing invasive species, they coordinate a water offset program for landowners and businesses, and provide plenty of educational opportunities for us all to learn more about this valuable watershed.
Farmlands & Grasslands
World Environment Day Fact: At least 2 billion people depend on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods, particularly poor and rural populations.
Coalition for Farmland Preservation: An initiative of Local First Arizona, this Coalition works to address the increasing challenges that Arizona farmers face in finding viable land to grow crops to feed the community. As the population booms in the state, more land is being developed for homes and businesses, and quite often this is the land most ideal for farming. Adding to the challenges is the fact that many farms lease their land, and once a plot they are farming is sold it is a time-consuming and stressful challenge to find replacement land. The Coalition is focusing on policy, education, funding, farmer support and detailing the environmental, social and cultural benefits of locally grown food.
Mountains
World Environment Day Fact: Mountains make up 25% of Earth’s land area, but are home to more than 85% of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Arizona Trail Association: The Arizona Trail (AZT) Association offers hikers a chance to climb through much of the state’s amazing mountain ranges, from the Sky Islands in southern Arizona to the San Francisco Peaks, with plenty of flat land in between. They take an active role in stewardship by maintaining trails, hosting trainings and providing maps and guides that encourage people to easily access the trail.They offer programs like Seeds of Stewardship which provides educational and meaningful outdoor experiences that empower youth to become the next generation of stewards of Arizona’s wild landscapes, and a Veteran Program which creates opportunities for those who have served in the military to come together as a community by participating in meaningful experiences along the AZT.
Trees
World Environment Day Fact: Street trees provide a reduction of around 0.5 to 2.0° C in summer maximum air temperatures, benefiting at least 68 million people.
Trees Matter: This Phoenix based nonprofit promotes increased tree canopy in the Valley while growing a community of tree advocates. They provide resources to the general public so they can properly choose trees, plant trees, and care for trees. Trees Matter operates a Utility Shade Tree program, Urban Food Forest, Trees for Schools program and a Resiliency Project that plants trees to honor those who risked their lives, fell ill, or died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tucson Clean & Beautiful: This nonprofit wears many hats, from organizing community cleanups to providing recycling information. Their Trees for Tucson program focuses on helping urban dwellers plant trees, care for them and recognize the benefits trees offer. Tucsonians can purchase trees directly from the nonprofit, volunteer at community tree planting events, and apply for Green Stormwater Infrastructure grants that build climate-resilient communities through using neighborhood-based, participatory green infrastructure projects to increase public open space, improve public and environmental health and quality of life.
Towns & Cities
World Environment Day Fact: Half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature and every dollar invested in restoration creates up to 30 dollars in economic benefits.
Arizona Forward: This statewide nonprofit brings business and civic leaders together to improve the environmental sustainability and economic vitality of our state and local regions. The group’s work focuses on priorities including forest health, sustainable water supply, advancing climate action and supporting healthy communities. Their Statewide Sustainability Roadmap focuses on improving the quality of life of residents and protecting natural resources. They also host an annual Statewide Summit and the Environmental Excellence Awards. Arizonans can get involved with Arizona Forward by becoming a member and by joining a committee.