The activities associated with urban expansion into once undisturbed parts of our deserts is the greatest threat to our biocrusts in Southern Arizona.

Biocrusts are microscopic organisms including mosses, lichens, and algae that make up the top layer of soil. The organisms work together to prevent erosion and dust storms by stabilizing the Earth below them by using enzyme secretions that act as an adhesive.

Soil disturbances such as military activity, cattle grazing, other types of agriculture, and recreational activities like off-road four-wheeling vastly contribute to the destruction of biocrusts.

Biocrust researchers from across the state are exploring soil restoration methods in a variety of ecosystems including the Sonoran Desert.

For more information, see this article.

I-19 is looking pretty good in Green Valley with all the volunteers picking up trash on a regular basis.  However, when traveling north in Sahuarita there is trash all over the place. Shame there are no volunteers to pick it up.

Arizona Land and Water trust purchased 371 acres of the Sopori Creek and Farm as part of a larger plan to buy 1,310 acres of the area, intending to protect the land and to develop an agricultural apprenticeship program. 

This is part of a "conservation easement," which limits the use of the land in order to protect its conservation values without changing who the owner of the land is. The apprenticeship program will focus on sustainable land use practices where ranchers and farmers can address the challenges of climate change, drought, affordable access to land and land succession. 

You can read the full article here.

Update: The roadrunner its on its way to the vet!