Sonoran Desert Nature Nonprofits

The Sonoran Desert is the lushest desert on Earth, a green and improbable place where the giant saguaro raises its arms against the sky and two rainy seasons a gentle winter and a dramatic summer monsoon keep the land far richer than any desert has a right to be. Its diversity of cactus, its palo verde and ironwood, and its borderlands wildlife make it one of the most biologically remarkable arid lands anywhere.

The organizations here protect the desert from sprawl and keep its wildlife corridors open across an international border, defend the rivers and springs that are lifelines in the dry country, and safeguard the saguaro forests and the pollinators that sustain them. Their work honors a desert that overflows, quietly, with life.

Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion

43 organizations working across this landscape.

Advance Community

Phoenix, AZ

We build optimal health in under-resourced communities in Arizona and across the globe.

Sustainable Food Agriculture

Arizona Sustainability Alliance

Tempe, AZ

To Create and Support Cutting-Edge, Project-Based Sustainability Solutions in Arizona

Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Arizona Trail Association

Tucson, AZ

The Arizona Trail Association’s mission is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote, and sustain the Arizona Trail as a unique encounter with the land.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Arizona Wilderness Coalition

Tucson, AZ
Land Conservation

BICAS

Tucson, AZ

Bootstraps to Share of Tucson was founded in 1989 with the goal of empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to use bicycles as a practical tool for transportat...

Environmental JusticeOther

Buffalo River Foundation

Ponca, AZ
Water Rivers

Center For Biological Diversity

Tucson, AZ

The Center for Biological Diversity was founded beneath the ancient ponderosa pines of New Mexico's Gila wilderness, where Kierán Suckling, Peter Galvin, and Todd ...

Wildlife BiodiversityClimate Energy

Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection

Tucson, AZ

Protecting the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona through science-based advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

DarkSky International

Tucson, AZ

DarkSky Intnl promotes quality outdoor lighting to protect darkness, save money, and create safe, welcoming spaces through advocacy, policy, and partnerships.

Land ConservationWaste Circular Economy

Earth School Educational Foundation, Inc.

Phoenix, AZ

Earth School Educational Foundation, Inc. (ESEF) DBA Carbon Nation was founded in 2007 to produce and distribute media about climate change solutions and environment...

Wildlife BiodiversitySustainable Food Agriculture

El Grupo Youth Cycling

Tucson, AZ

El Grupo Youth Cycling in Tucson Arizona

Climate EnergyEducation Advocacy

Friends of Saguaro National Park

Tucson, AZ

Friends Of Saguaro National Park Inc is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with conservation / land trusts. Based in Tucson, AZ, United States o...

Land ConservationLand Conservation

Friends of the San Pedro River (FSPR)

Sierra Vista, AZ

Sharing our passion for the San Pedro River with the public.

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Good Market

Phoenix, AZ

Good Market is a curated community of social enterprises, cooperatives, responsible businesses, civic organizations, networks, and changemakers that's working togeth...

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

Hope 4 Kids International

Phoenix, AZ

For over 50 years, we have been committed to serving children living in impoverished environments around the world by establishing economic, spiritual, water, educat...

Water RiversEnvironmental Justice

Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans, Inc.

Tucson, AZ

To foster vibrant communities and resilient ecosystems in the Northern Gulf of California and other ecoregions by integrating people, knowledge and solutions

Marine OceansEnvironmental Justice

Keep Tempe Beautiful

Tempe, AZ

Educate and engage the citizenry in sustainability and beautification practices for the benefit of the local Tempe community.

Education AdvocacyOther

Let's Go Compost

Scottsdale, AZ

Let's Go Compost is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make composting affordable and accessible in the United States.

Education AdvocacyOther

Living Streets Alliance

Tucson, AZ

We envision a future where everyone can get to where they need to go safely, conveniently, and affordably. We demonstrate what is possible through transformati...

Climate Energy

M3F Fest

Phoenix, AZ

When you buy a ticket to M3F to have the time of your life, you're ultimately giving back to the community around you.

Waste Circular Economy

Mongol Ecology Center

Tucson, AZ

The Mongol Ecology Center helps protect national parks and other wilderness areas around the world through youth engagement and the exchange of best practices.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Native Seeds/SEARCH

Tucson, AZ
Sustainable Food Agriculture

Natural Restorations

Gilbert, AZ

We remove trash & graffiti from outdoor recreation & wilderness areas, we replant burn scars with trees, cacti & plants, & provide work in to military veterans.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

Northern Jaguar Project

Tucson, AZ

Located a short distance south of the U.S.-Mexico border, the 58,000-acre Northern Jaguar Reserve features an unparalleled mix of natural communities and wild lan...

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

one·n·ten

Phoenix, AZ

Camp OUTdoors is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ youth & young adults experience a transformative outdoor adventure program.

Education AdvocacyOutdoor Recreation Access

PATAGONIA AREA RESOURCE ALLIANCE

Patagonia, AZ

PARA is a grassroots, community-driven nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of local mountains, wildlife, and watersheds in and around Patagonia, ...

Water RiversWildlife Biodiversity

Planet Water Foundation

Phoenix, AZ

Planet Water Foundation, is a non-profit organization committed to bringing clean water to the world's most disadvantaged communities.

Water RiversClimate Energy

Project Roots

Glendale, AZ

Community Garden

Sustainable Food AgricultureOutdoor Recreation Access

Reel Earth Films

Scottsdale, AZ

Reel Earth Films promotes wildlife conservation by creating films that nurture the human connection to nature, spread awareness about life-threatening challenges fac...

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Sexto Sol Center For Community Action

Mesa, AZ
Climate Energy

Skate After School

Tempe, AZ

Using refurbished skate equipment, Skate After School delivers innovative after school programs to underserved youth in the greater Phoenix area.

Waste Circular Economy

Sky Island Alliance

Tucson, AZ

WE WORK TO CONNECT PEOPLE, WILDLIFE, AND LANDS ACROSS THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER THROUGH THE USE OF SCIENCE, ADVOCACY, EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ...

Land Conservation

Sonoran Institute

Tucson, AZ

We work at the nexus of commerce, community, and conservation to help people in the North American West build the communities they want to live in while preserving...

Water RiversClimate Energy

Tempe Bicycle Action Group (TBAG)

Tempe, AZ

Tempe Bicycle Action Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in Te...

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

The Biodiversity Group

Tucson, AZ

<strong>Not all species receive the protection they deserve.</strong> <strong>Improving species equality by protecting Life Overlooked requires us to engage in ethic...

Wildlife Biodiversity

Trees Matter

Phoenix, AZ

To inspire and promote an increased tree canopy in the Valley/

Climate EnergyEducation Advocacy

True Messages

New River, AZ

A nonprofit platform to honor, offer Korima and create opportunities in support of the indigenous Raramuri (Tarahumara) peoples of the Sierra Tarahumara

Environmental JusticeEducation Advocacy

Tucson 2030 District

Tucson, AZ

The Tucson 2030 District partners with building owners and managers to help them benchmark, or measure, the energy and water use of their buildings, and then works ...

Climate Energy

Tucson Clean & Beautiful, Inc.

Tucscon, AZ

The purpose of Tucson Clean & Beautiful, Inc., a non-profit organization, is to preserve and improve our environment, conserve natural resources, and enhance th...

Land Conservation

Watershed Management Group

Tucson, AZ

Watershed Management Group (WMG) develops community-based solutions to ensure the long-term prosperity of people and health of the environment. We provide people wit...

Water RiversEnvironmental Education

Western National Parks Association

Tucson, AZ

Western National Parks Association (WNPA) is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service (NPS), providing products, programs, and services...

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

wildlife in motion

Tempe, AZ

Science-driven conservation restoring wildlife corridors, habitat, and biodiversity across the Sky Islands and borderlands of Arizona and northern Mexico.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Worldbike

Tuscon, AZ
Climate Energy