Water and Environment

Committee urges U.S. and Mexico to protect UNESCO World Heritage site from border wall damage

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is calling on the U.S. and Mexico to work together to assess and mitigate impacts of the border wall on wildlife of the Sonoran desert, especially the endangered Sonoran pronghorn.

Tribal leaders advocate for historic water rights settlement in DC

Navajo and Hopi leaders urged Congress to pass a bill addressing their water crisis, proposing a $1.75 billion pipeline to bring Colorado River water to their communities.

Changes to Tucson’s hard to recycle plastic program in effect

Plastic items must now be placed in Hefty Renew orange bags.

Dry but alive: Rethinking golf's green lawns

Golf is a commonly blamed culprit of Arizona's water woes. How much water goes to the state's courses?

Tucson Audubon Society Gets Closer to choosing a New Name

Organization wants a future without the controversial "Audubon" associations

US Air Force challenges EPA’s emergency order on PFAS cleanup at Tucson Superfund Site

Military contests EPA’s jurisdiction and urgency of PFAS threats at Tucson site.

AZPM’s Mini Severe Storm Guide

Fast-escalating storm causes widespread damage and power outages, prompting questions about monsoon season and climate change

These three words from 1922 are at the heart of the latest Colorado River clash

It’s all rooted in a document called the Colorado River Compact.

The Buzz: The damming of the lower Colorado River

We preview the new season of Tapped, AZPM's podcast about water in the southwest.

Taming the Colorado

The Colorado River is the most dammed waterway in the US, but what was it like before? We go back to the battle over Parker Canyon Dam and how it changed Arizona's rights to the river's water forever.

The Buzz: Re-using finite resources in Southern Arizona

People go to notable lengths to get as much as they can out of some of the area's limited resources

Tucson receives $11M for bus stop shelters, trees and more

Tucson’s Sun Tran system is receiving more than $11 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money is meant to fortify transit infrastructure and help protect vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change.

Arizona congressional delegation introduces $5 billion tribal water rights legislation

The legislation would ratify a settlement agreement that was approved by each of the tribes in May.

Public meeting will discuss new Sabino Canyon visitor center

The Thursday meeting will include a first look at initial plans for the redesign

Tucson's new conservation program aims to save water by removing ornamental grass

Apartment complexes and commercial buildings are being urged to remove grass landscaping and conserve water — in exchange for a rebate from the city.

US agency to fight invasive bass threatening humpback chub, other protected fish in Grand Canyon

It is the latest move in a battle to keep non-native smallmouth bass and green sunfish at bay in an area of the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam.

Arizona researchers tackle urban heat with innovative weather data collection

UA team partners with DOE’s Brookhaven Lab to study and mitigate extreme heat in the Southwest.

$55.2 million to boost clean energy in rural Arizona with new battery systems

Federal funding will support three new battery energy storage facilities, lower energy bills, create jobs, and promote sustainability in cities like Sahuarita.

Arizona wildfire advances after forcing evacuations near Phoenix

As of Saturday night the fire was 0% contained.

The Buzz: The coming state budget has its critics

Worries about shorted funding, misallocated funds and existing problems cause concern for some.

Activists submit 17,000 signatures urging closure of uranium mine near Grand Canyon

Groups like the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity along with Tribal members say the mine risks drinking water.

Does Arizona have enough water?

Phoenix-area cities are spending big to make sure it does.

The Buzz: Efforts to reduce our use of finite resources

We look at efforts to reduce the use of plastic, water and fossil fuels.

Hobbs under pressure to call special session on groundwater

Arizona lawmakers didn’t pass significant bipartisan policy on groundwater reform this year.

Las Milpitas Farm

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s Space For People To Grow Food

A Way for Wildlife

Wildlife crossings in Tucson, Arizona help thousands of animals each month while protecting people from traffic accidents.

Desert Plants: Desert Honeysuckle

The colorful and drought-tolerant Desert Honeysuckles are ideal for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators to your garden.

Desert Botanical Garden

This Phoenix landmark has been studying and conserving plants for 85 years.

Trail Crew

Meet the people at Saguaro National Park who build and maintain hiking trails.

Santa Cruz River Cleanup

Picking up trash and sowing wildflowers with The Sonoran Institute