Sky Island Alliance

Our mission is to protect and restore the diversity of life and lands in the Sky Island region. We envision the Sky Islands as a place where nature thrives, where open space and clean water are available to all species, and where people are deeply connected to the region and its innate ability to enrich our lives.

A special message to you from our Executive Director Louise Misztal:

I'm surprised you didn't hear it at your house. A whoop of joy from our Wildlife Specialist Meagan Bethel in January! Out of the millions of wildlife photos Meagan has analyzed for Sky Island Alliance, this was the first time she spotted not one - but two jaguars! Our camera network documented them in the Whetstone Mountains last May and November- the first such sightings in that area since 2011.

The western flank of the Huachucas and the San Rafael Valley provide one of the last open corridors for the northern population of jaguars to move between Mexico and the U.S. For these cats to thrive in southern Arizona - decades after they were hunted to local extinction - it's vital we protect this pathway now. Please make your best gift today, so we can restore more habitat in the path of the jaguar as soon as possible. It costs about $250 for every hour of restoration work. Your gift will help us organize weekend events, get staff and volunteers to worksites, and provide equipment and supplies.

Join us in this effort to support this iconic species and the places they roam.

Sincerely,

Louise Misztal - SIA Executive Director

Testimonials

"Several years ago I was on a SIA trip to Sonora, Mexico where I saw my first ever jaguar track. It was such an amazing experience to see evidence of jaguars so close to the border! Yet, it brought up the question of how would jaguars cross the border and move farther north?
Here is why the work of SIA is so important. Restoring and rewilding open natural areas, and protecting waterways creates the migration pathways for jaguars and other wildlife to move. The presence of jaguars in Arizona sky islands is evidence that SIA's efforts are working! Help us keep these migration pathways open by supporting SIA today."
Axhel Muñoz - Sky Island Alliance Board Member

Hello readers. What an exciting recent announcement that the staff of the Sky Island Alliance (SIA) shared recently!! A Jaguar picked up by one of the many wildlife cameras the organization operates and maintains. This magnificent cat was photographed in the Whetstone Mountains, a mere ten or so miles South of busy I-10 and Benson, Az. For me, the presence of this animal in a small mountain range that far North of the closest breeding population, in Sonora Mexico, epitomizes the importance of major program undertakings by the Sky Island Alliance. It also highlights the synergy between some of these programs. For example, to begin with it was not human eyes that confirmed this Jaguar sighting. The Sky Island bioregion is big country and many animals are quite secretive. It was one of SIA's wildlife cameras, ever watchful, that captured the presence of this Jaguar. Next, animals need country to live in, including access to water. Some, like the Jaguar, need a lot of country. The more undisturbed the better. The Sky Island Alliance program "Path of the Jaguar" encompasses a road rewilding aspect whereby old, little used, roads are being surveyed and closed off to vehicle traffic. Much of this work is being performed by dedicated volunteers. So, for me, this Jaguar sighting exhibits the synergy between SIA's Border Wildlife Study, FotoFauna Camera Program, Spring Seeker Program and Road Rewilding Program. It also demonstrates the emphasis SIA places on working as a Bi-National organization and how critical our volunteers are, both in financially supporting these programs as well as the many hours of field work many offer to the SIA mission to preserve, protect and restore the Sky Islands we all love. Cheers.....
Robert Grey - Sky Island Alliance Board Member

I love being involved in the important work this organization does to help protect the land and water in the biodiverse Sky Island region of the U.S. and Mexico. The staff and board are full of people who are energetic, creative, and committed to making this area a great place for plants, animals, and people to live in and enjoy for generations to come. It's such a pleasure to have the opportunity to support this organization that works to do so much work including locating and rehabilitating springs, rewilding roads, and restoring rangelands. Come join us, we are replete with creative and thoughtful staff and board members that work hard to find our best opportunities to work alone and to partner with other nonprofits and government agencies.
Pam Rossetter - Sky Island Alliance Board Co-Chair

I give because I am giving back and paying it forward! I've spent many years in the Sky Islands, enjoying its beauty and diversity of life...