Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, Inc.

The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the discovery, rescue, research and study of cactus and succulent plants. We provide educational activities and offer school and research grants to support cactus and succulent studies and education. Additionally, we provide our members and the public with opportunities for continuing education through monthly meetings featuring experts on topics relating to cacti, conservation and desert plants.

The TCSS Rescue Committee was established in 1999 to save native desert plants through partnerships with developers and the community. Society volunteers have accomplished 416 rescues and saved over 92,000 native plants. Permits obtained from the Arizona Department of Agriculture provide for legal rescues; where plants are sold at reduced prices to members and the public. Proceeds fund educational endeavors, conservation, research, and Pima Prickly Park. In 2011, TCSS entered into an agreement with Pima County and established Pima Prickly Park; a 7-acre Pima County Park featuring native species and numerous desert gardens. Saguarohenge is a sacred space for reflection and pondering the ancient relationship between people and the Sonoran Desert. Desert animals, birds, and creatures large and small visit the Park. This educational venue is always in transition; open dawn to dusk, accommodates frequent school field trips, garden clubs, and visitors. The educational committee supports SARSEF and STEM programs and projects of all kinds. Our 2018 conservation project, The Pitayal, a large biological reserve in Coteco, Mexico features one of the densest populations of organpipe cacti (Stenocereus thurberi). This research station conducts pilot studies for harvesting and marketing pitaya fruits.