The Conservation Committee works on resource protection issues related to native plants. Our recent efforts have been focused mostly in southern Arizona, but we're always open to helping folks get started with local projects elsewhere in the state. Contact the Conservation Committee for more information.

We meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at various locations in central Tucson. If you'd like to attend a meeting or get on our mailing list, contact us. We've always got a long list of ways to get involved.

Look for us this summer at these events:

We will be tabling at the Desert Survivors Monsoon Plant Sale on Saturday, July 12. The nursery is open from 8-5 pm; we'll be there in the morning. Come visit our table in the shade. We will be giving away seeds of native plants for your garden. (Want to help? Contact us!)

Native Plants for Sonoran Desert Tortoise

The Conservation Committee recently completed a new brochure and demonstration garden of native plants for the Sonoran Desert Tortoise. Because native plants are the best food for this native creature, and because many people adopt tortoises to keep as pets, we worked with numerous experts to develop a list of recommended plants. We also put our words to work, by initiating a great little garden at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Tucson office. Stop by some time and check it out!

Download the brochure here. Please feel free to distribute!

Grow Native, Don't Plant a Pest!

The Grow Native: Don’t Plant a Pest public education campaign has been a huge success – since August of 2006 we have distributed over 50,000 brochures in English and Spanish to local governments, home owner’s associations, schools, nurseries, and conservation organizations throughout southern Arizona.

Even so, butterfly and hummingbird gardeners in many neighborhoods across Arizona are finding that their neighborhood rules are not necessarily supportive of native plants. For example, one management company in Marana, AZ regularly features an article in their newsletter about their position that “wildflowers are weeds.” Residents are actually receiving citations for having native wildflowers in their yards, although ironically those with non-native invasives such as African sumac (Rhus lancea) and fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) are deemed acceptable. Clearly we have our work cut out for us in educating these entities about not only the dangers of invasive ornamentals, but the value of native plants in residential landscapes.

The conservation committee is getting very interested in finding ways (in addition to the brochure and presentations) to bring about a native plant paradigm shift. Please share your ideas and experiences with us – we would like to hear about what is happening from across the state!