This project restores a sacred spring on a sacred mountain. It is also the highest elevation spring in the sky islands of southeastern Arizona. Home to many endemic species, including the Federally-Endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel.

Why is restoration needed? Catastrophic wildfires have removed the forest canopy and resulted in erosion that threatens the existence of critical high-elevation springs like Emerald Spring. But we can reverse the damage with the installation of carefully-engineered but low-tech structures made from natural materials such as burned logs, rocks, and plants.

We've been working closely with the US Forest Service, Natural Channel Design, UA researchers, and Arizona Conservation Legacy on a long-term, phased approach to saving these irreplaceable habitats.

Each year we continue our labor-intensive stabilization efforts during the short window of time between snowmelt and passabilty of roads and monsoon season.

Your donation helps us provide non-federal matching dollars that we can leverage with grant funding to continue this work.