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A Voice for Volunteer Conservationists
A Voice for Volunteer Conservationists
The mission of the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance is to protect the ecological integrity and associated indigenous cultural heritage of the lower San Pedro region of Arizona, primarily through voluntary and effective actions by local citizens.
Due to rapid growth in Arizona's Sun Corridor, the San Pedro River is the last remaining major natural and intact river ecosystem in southern Arizona. As a result of its rich biodiversity, the lower San Pedro watershed has become the default repository for the mitigation of adverse ecological impacts caused in other parts of the state by such rapid growth.
Gas Pipeline Update: Act Now!
Gas Pipeline Update: Act Now!
Concerned about the damage from a 48-inch Gas Line coming through the Lower San Pedro River Valley and crossing over nearby Oracle State Park, with an ominous 10-inch lateral line planned for San Manuel? You have two options to make your concerns known:
"Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)" event, Tuesday, July 21, 5 pm at Biosphere 2, where you can comment in one-on-one sessions with FERC staff to include your concerns as part of the public record. Information stations will, again, be set up, and staff available to answer questions.
Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance Info-Session and Comment-Writing Zoom workshop, Thursday, July 23, 6-7 pm. Local experts in the area’s cultural resources, hydrology, and biological diversity will discuss threats and share key talking points, while tri-state partners with pipeline experience will share sample scoping letters/how to submit online, and the pipeline’s tie to mining and data centers. Register here.
The most important thing is to get your comments on record, in whatever format is most comfortable to you. All comments are due to FERC by Aug. 5 before 2 pm.
The stunning Aravaipa Canyon is a San Pedro River tributary whose water flow is threatened by industrial development. The Canyon is also a cultural legacy site of the Apache Tribe and Tohono o'Odham Nation. © EcoFlight
Mark Your Calendar: Aug. 25 Public Meeting
Mark Your Calendar: Aug. 25 Public Meeting
Our Valley, Our Water
Once It's Gone, It's Gone!
Our Valley, Our Water
Once It's Gone, It's Gone!
Join us for a workshop featuring regional hydrologist Laurel Lacher and water-planning specialist Garland Speight, who will both give a straightforward and engaging presentation on the hydrology of the Lower San Pedro Valley—and the potential impact of the extensive water withdrawals needed to support copper mining and other major industrial incursions.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 ~ 6 – 7:30/8 p.m.
Mammoth Community Center
101 West 5th Street, Mammoth AZ 85618
In support of our community businesses, we will partner with a local restaurant to provide warm appetizers.
A rare Mexican Spotted Owl, caught at night on a camera trap set up on Copper Creek.
LSPWA & Allies Propose Lawsuit to Protect the Mexican Spotted Owl
LSPWA & Allies Propose Lawsuit to Protect the Mexican Spotted Owl
The Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance is participating with the Center for Biological Diversity and the San Carlos Apache Tribe in issuing a Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue the US Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, for their failure to protect of the imperiled Mexican Spotted Owl from the depredations of the Copper Creek Exploration Project in Mammoth, Arizona.
The 7B Ranch Mesquite Bosque, on the banks of the San Pedro in Mammoth, glimmers like a jewel against the surrounding desert. © EcoFlight.
2026: Ramping up for Regional-Scale Groundwater Modeling
2026: Ramping up for Regional-Scale Groundwater Modeling
Members of LSPWA understand how incredibly unique the Lower San Pedro River is … and why, as the last free-flowing river in the southwest, it is worth protecting. Of deep concern has been the fact the watershed and surrounding hydrology of the adjacent Galiuro Mountains remain largely unstudied. That can all change—with your involvement and generous help.
Request For Proposal (RFP)
Hydrological MIKE SHE Modeler
Request For Proposal (RFP)
Hydrological MIKE SHE Modeler
LSPWA is soliciting proposals from qualified hydrologists to describe MIKE SHE hydrological modeling that has previously been performed in the Lower San Pedro watershed, including underlying assumptions, descriptions of regional geology, and anticipated impacts from regional development. Submission deadline: July 17.
Community-Science Volunteers Sought!
Community-Science Volunteers Sought!
Across the nation, volunteers are gathering the "baseline" data that scientists need to protect our waterways and lands—especially in overlooked rural communities. LSPWA is working with a group of nonprofit and agency partners who will train, support and assist our community-science programs that include monitoring well depth; water contamination and air quality studies; camera-trapping; and mapping the San Pedro’s wet-dry stretches. Become involved in our efforts to develop the Lower San Pedro Watershed's very first Regional-Scale Groundwater Model—a critical component in our legal fight to preserve our beloved river and the unique wild bio-habitats that it sustains.
Join us for Purple Martin Perch Party 2.0!
Join us for Purple Martin Perch Party 2.0!
Friday, August 28 [details to follow soon]
Our first Purple Martin Perch Party was so well received, we’re planning another on Friday, August 28. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for sign-up details, as spots fill up quickly. Hosted jointly by LSPWA and the Tucson Bird Alliance.
A Salt River Project manager demonstrates water-monitoring techniques during a citizen-science training hosted by Friends of Sonoita Creek.
LSPWA Takes Action
LSPWA Takes Action
LSPWA members have been deeply engaged in forging the community and partner bonds, public education and outreach that underpins our ability as an organization to defend the Lower San Pedro River Watershed from large-scale industrial depredations. Over the past year, our involvements have included, among other things:
Joining with partners to oppose the proposal of irresponsible and environmentally destructive policies
Building stakeholder appreciation for the magnificent beauty and environmental significance of the Lower San Pedro Valley
Learning more about successful community-science and riparian-mitigation efforts that we will mirror as part of our Regional-Scale Groundwater Modelling Initiative
Standing up for community representation at major university conferences on mining and water usage
This view from the tailings facility at San Manuel – which will soon be part of Faraday’s holdings – illustrates the vibrancy of the adjacent riparian area that, for 20+ years, has been a site of partnership between BHP and scientists for biological study. Photo: BHP LinkedIn
Update: Faraday Acquires San Manuel Mine after BLM Okays Expanded Mining Exploration on Copper Creek
Update: Faraday Acquires San Manuel Mine after BLM Okays Expanded Mining Exploration on Copper Creek
In June of this year—despite heavy public opposition—the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved Redhawk/Faraday Copper’s mining-exploration project on Copper Creek, an uphill tributary of the San Pedro River located in the Galiuro Mountains. Not only has BLM given the green light to round-the-clock industrial operations with no meaningful oversight, it has set the stage for a future large-scale mining operation that threatens to deplete local water sources and irreparably harm one of Arizona's last—and most unique—desert-river bio-habitats.
At the same time, Faraday is in the process of acquiring the San Manuel Mine site from the Australian multinational BHP, whose 27,000 acres adjoin the Copper Creek project. As Faraday has thus far failed to make its future plans known to the public, we are working with the Cascabel Conservation Association, as a matter of urgency, to unearth whatever information we can.
Learn more about Faraday's acquisition of the BHP property and the questions it poses.
Review our appeal letter to the Arizona State Director of the Bureau of Land Management regarding the recent approval of 67 exploration sites at Copper Creek by Redhawk/Faraday Copper.
Read the joint appeal letter written by the San Carlos Apache Tribe and Center for Biological Diversity onto which we, and other partner organizations, signed.
Find out how LSPWA is challenging industrial threats to the survival of the San Pedro River Valley, in the effort to conserve this crucial desert waterway.
Be sure to catch our Arizona Republic front-page story, Fast-track Mine Review put Arizona Owl Habitat at Risk, Advocates Say...
Catch up on the headlines addressing critical Arizona water & mining concerns...
Join us as we work hand in hand with our key strategic partners and advisors to ensure that Arizona's last free-flowing river and most unique bio-habitat is preserved for current and future generations.
A Significant, Singular Landscape
A Significant, Singular Landscape
The San Pedro corridor has become the most important north-south migratory bird flyway within Arizona. The lower San Pedro watershed also harbors one of the richest remaining fish, reptile, amphibian, and mammalian habitats in the nation, and is the key to protecting several threatened and endangered species.
A few of the many who call this place home...
A few of the many who call this place home...
Photos by Lon Brehmer
Imagine this spectacular watershed from the perspective of those who live here.
Imagine this spectacular watershed from the perspective of those who live here.
Because words are insufficient, please enjoy this short video. In it, you can clearly see that this stunning ecosystem—and the plants, animals, and landforms that comprise it—make a compelling case for conservation.
Of Interest
Of Interest
Documents Submitted
Documents Submitted
Canadian-owned Pattern Energy Corporation ignored the existence of low-impact alternatives and started building the haphazardly-planned SunZia Transmission Project through 33 miles of the most remote and ecologically sensitive portion of the San Pedro Valley. LSPWA stood against this travesty in the Arizona Courts.
Presentation by LSPWA
Presentation by LSPWA
Peter Else discusses issues facing the San Pedro River in this presentation to the Sustainable Water Network.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Collaborative Conservation
Collaborative Conservation
We collaborate with allied partners on actions to protect the ecology and cultural heritage of the San Pedro, at a landscape scale.
Conservation Advocacy
Conservation Advocacy
Our administrative, legal and outreach efforts are wholly focused on advocacy for the protection of the San Pedro's wild landscape.
Creating a Bright Future Together with You
Creating a Bright Future Together with You
We are made up of allies, experts, activists, naturalists, artists, archaeologists, and donors, but anyone with an interest in protecting this special place is welcome to call themselves our member.
LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED BY JOINING TODAY
Thank you and credit to author Ralph Waldt for use of his phrase, "An ecological treasure of international importance." Thank you and credit also to Lon Brehmer for use of his photos throughout the site.
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