Issues

Declining and degraded habitat especially along riparian corridors

Restoration Projects Tucson Audubon Society is restoring human altered habitat at several sites along the Santa Cruz River. To inform and engage the public in living more sustainably, workshops are conducted for professionals, the general public and school groups to illustrate sustainable living practices, i.e., rain water harvesting, planting with native species, etc. In addition to workshops, volunteer days are provided at project sites for citizens to put into action what they learned at workshops and contribute positively to the restoration of critical habitat.

Volunteer Naturalist Training. In response to an increased disconnect between people and nature, the program trains volunteers on the natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Volunteers learn how to effectively disseminate information to inspire community members to value and protect nature, understand importance of the natural environment and how to live sustainably while promoting stewardship of our natural resources.

Institute of Desert Ecology. Gives educators and the general public, a good foundation in and understanding of the natural history of the Sonoran Desert and good stewarding techniques so that they are able to pass on the knowledge to their students, whether through formal or informal educational settings.

Bird conservation and habitat loss and fragmentation

The Arizona Important Bird Areas Program. Co-administered by Audubon Arizona and Tucson Audubon Society, the Arizona Important Bird Areas Program is working to identify a network of sites that provide critical habitat for birds that are important for maintaining bird populations and to focus conservation efforts at protecting these sites. Citizens are involved in the program by nominating sites, in addition to hands on citizen stewardship by conducting bird surveys on existing sites, volunteering to help land managers and by being conservation advocates. Throughout the year, several workshops are taught to educate citizen scientists on survey techniques, recognizing the characteristics of rare or unique habitat and identifying sites where significant populations of birds congregate.

Volunteer Naturalist Training. In response to an increased disconnect between people and nature, the program trains volunteers on the natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Volunteers learn how to effectively disseminate information to inspire community members to value and protect nature, understand importance of the natural environment and how to live sustainably while promoting stewardship of our natural resources.

Institute of Desert Ecology. Gives educators and the general public, a good foundation in and understanding of the natural history of the Sonoran Desert and good stewarding techniques so that they are able to pass on the knowledge to their students, whether through formal or informal educational settings.

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Increasing encounters with wildlife as communities grow into wildlife habitat

Wildlife animal care and foster care. A phone call from the Nest Watch Program at Game and Fish alerted Liberty Wildlife that they were on their way to our facility with two bald eagle eggs and an adult male eagle who was fatally shot as it returned to his nest. The mother, unable to care for the two eggs to fledging by herself, left the nest before she starved. The eggs were brought to Liberty Wildlife to begin life in a brooder. One successfully hatched and was raised by Liberty Wildlife staff and volunteers with great care to prevent imprinting so that it could be released back into the wild. The young baby was placed in a nest with another family of bald eagles, successfully fledged, and followed every milestone on time. Sutton, as she was named, migrated to Minnesota at about 3 months and survived the winter only to return to the southwest in the spring. She was tracked as long as her telemetry worked and we are hopeful that she will be breeding and returning babies to the wild in the coming year.

Living with Urban Wildlife. In cooperation with Arizona Game & Fish Department, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation and Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson Audubon Society created Living with Urban Wildlife, a portable outreach program to address how to live with wildlife for the benefit of both people and wildlife. The program focuses on:

human-wildlife coexistence in Tucson and surrounding areas and covers behavior of common mammals, birds, reptiles and insects;
tips on how to avoid practices that can attract unwanted wild animals; and
gardening and landscaping principles that can attract and support desired wildlife and discourage unwanted visitors.
By disseminating information on how to coexist with wildlife, we are arming the public with the knowledge necessary to avoid conflict and appreciate the variety of wildlife in Arizona. populations of birds congregate.

Volunteer Naturalist Training. In response to an increased disconnect between people and nature, the program trains volunteers on the natural history of the Sonoran Desert. Volunteers learn how to effectively disseminate information to inspire community members to value and protect nature, understand importance of the natural environment and how to live sustainably while promoting stewardship of our natural resources.

Institute of Desert Ecology. Gives educators and the general public, a good foundation in and understanding of the natural history of the Sonoran Desert and good stewarding techniques so that they are able to pass on the knowledge to their students, whether through formal or informal educational settings.

Irresponsible and/or illegal use of pesticides and other poison

Loss of and/or changes in natural habitat that negatively affects wildlife

Loss of pollinators

Loss of support along migration paths. Liberty Wildlife has a research and conservation program deals with these issues through contracts with and proposals to corporations, agencies, and private citizens and through educational programs for any of these groups.

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Invasive species A significant threat to Arizona plant and wildlife populations is the introduction of invasive species. These are plants or animals that are not native to the area but are able to thrive in the environment and most often out-compete native plants and animals for resources. Many native species are threatened with extinction due to invasive species.

Zoo Volunteering Become a Phoenix Zoo Volunteer to receive updates on special projects related to invasive species control.

Conservation Programming Liberty Wildlife has a research and conservation program deals with these issues through contracts with and proposals to corporations, agencies, and private citizens and through educational programs for any of these groups.

Illegal holding of protected wildlife

Extinction of the Black-footed Ferret In 1985 scientists realized the dire situation facing black-footed ferrets. Biologists surveyed the species in Wyoming to find that there were very few of them left and decided to capture 18 individuals to create a breeding program. A recovery plan was immediately put into place to try to save the species. Since 1988, governmental agencies, zoos and private land owners have worked together to bring this species back from the brink of extinction. Today, scientists estimate that there are approximately 250 ferrets in captive breeding programs and upwards of 660 ferrets in the wild! This is great news for the species, but there is still work to do.

Zoo Volunteer Program: Become a Phoenix Zoo Volunteer and receive updates on special projects that you can participate in including the annual ferret spotlighting event to help Game and Fish biologists capture census information on the ferrets.

Student Tours: Teachers – Bring your students on a field trip to the Zoo and sign up for one of our tours to learn more about conservation issues and how students can get involved. A Zoo docent will take your students on a 45-minute interactive hike through part of the park. Through quick games, stories, and questioning, your students will not only be introduced to standards concepts but they will gain an understanding of how to observe and appreciate the animals at the Zoo. Tours are adapted for each grade level and based on Arizona State Academic Standards.

Extinction of Leopard Frogs We are facing a significant international extinction crisis. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) estimates that nearly one-third of all amphibians in the world are threatened with extinction. There are many threats to these animals including global climate change, water pollution, and loss of wetlands for human uses. The Phoenix Zoo is actively involved in conserving a few local populations including the Chiricahua leopard frog. Egg masses are collected from southern Arizona and brought to the Zoo where members of our Tadpole Task Force hatch them and raise the tadpoles to young adults. When they are old enough to survive on their own they are re-released into their natural habitat, giving the population a head start on survival and recovery. To date we’ve helped raise and release over 7,000 tadpoles. In fact, at the last release our team spotted one of the adults from a previous release that had made its way to another pond.

Zoo Volunteer Program: Join our Tadpole Task Force through our volunteer program

Extinction of Orangutans Orangutans are expected to go extinct within the next decade.

Orangutan Awareness - Celebrated in January this event will introduce you to the Zoo’s orangutans, their wild cousins, and what you can do to help protect them in the wild.

Extinction of Mexican Wolves These animals are facing major issues in Arizona and won’t be around much longer if we don’t act to protect them.

Mexican Wolves Weekend Celebration – Each November we spend a weekend celebrating some of our native friends, Mexican wolves. These animals are facing major issues in Arizona and won’t be around much longer if we don’t act to protect them. Find out how through this event

Discarded fishing line, lead sinkers and hooks

Ingested lead shot in birds

Plastic soda holders

Feral cats and dogs

Injured and/or orphaned Wildlife

Rehabilitation Program. Liberty Wildlife has a trained staff that handles the medical and maturation issues that come with many of the wildlife that are brought to their shelter. Often, these animals are injured or orphaned due to:

·        Running into windows, breaking bones, and head injuries

·        Illegal Poisoning

·        Lead Shot

·        String, wires, monofilament line damage

·        Trichomoniasis from irresponsible feeding and watering of birds

·        Orphaned

·        Hit by car

·        Stolen from nest

·        Knocked from nest

·        Electric shock

·        Starvation

·        Habitat destruction and fragmentation

·        Dog and cat caught

·        Animal Trapping

Lack of appreciation for our environment One of the biggest reasons that people sometimes do things to damage the environment is simply because they don't realize what a wonderful thing nature can be. The Phoenix Zoo aims to help people see the beauty and value in all of nature through our programs and special events. Here are some events that focus on celebrating nature.

Party for the Planet – We celebrate Earth Day with a Party for the Planet. This family event is a fun way to learn about how you can help the environment in some very simple ways.

Amazing Arizona - During the last weekend in February each year the Zoo celebrates our state. This event will connect you with information about native plants and animals as well as some of our other conservation partners.

Camp Zoo – Each summer we offer week-long camp programs for kids grades K-8. These programs explore caregiving and conservation in-depth through games, animal encounters and actual conservation projects at the Zoo.

Pet Overpopulation

Hozhoni Animal Project with Monument Valley High School

Spay/ Neuter Education Programs (elementary age program and teen/adult program)

Lack of knowledge about health care needs, social and emotional needs of companion animals

One of the easiest things to do for conservation is to be kind and respectful to the animals around you including those that live in your house or right in your backyard. Participating organizations work to promote proper caregiving through a variety of experiences and programs:

Girl Scout Badge Programs

Hozhoni Animal Project

- Understanding Dogs and Cats Programs for Elementary Aged Children
Welcome to Rabbit School
Pet Care Program for Elementary Aged Children
Horse Hands

Ages 7 and up. Experienced animal handlers in small classes take adults and children alike through the steps of meeting horses, recognizing their needs, and learning to work with them safely. All Horse Hands programs are held in a four week series. Participants must attend all four sessions to achieve riding skill and receive a certificate. Participants will learn about animal observations, bonding, caregiving, and horsemanship. Ages 7 - 14 and adults. This program is designed to develop safe and caring relationships between children and horses.

Early Childhood Programs

Ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Your little ones will learn about animals and nature with us! Join us for a smorgasbord of fun with your little ones. These hands-on discovery programs are the perfect way to introduce children to the natural world through songs, games, crafts, and animal discoveries.

Wild Lunch Bunch

Designed for graduates of our popular Breakfast programs, the Wild Lunch Bunch offers families with older children a chance to discover how the Zoo works. Enjoy behind the scenes tours, Q & A sessions with staff and fun family-focused activities. Don't miss this chance to share a meal with some "wild folks."

Lack of understanding of dog behavior to prevent dog bites and reduce surrender of dogs to shelters

Hozhoni Animal Project
Understanding Dogs
Bite Prevention Programs for children, teens and adults
Introduction to Dog Training for Kids

Lack of health care services for companion animals in Rural Areas

Hozhoni Animal Project to prepare high school students for careers in animal health care