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Nature and Environment

An F-35A takes off from Davis-Monthan Air Force base in Tucson during the annual Heritage Flight Training course, Feb. 27, 2020.

Opponents speak out at hearing on bringing F-35 fighter jet to Tucson

Mar 11, 2020 Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is being considered as a possible home for the new aircraft. Some say will bring too much noise to Tucson's skies.
A diamondback rattlesnake flicks its tongue.

Study explains how rattlesnakes catch rainwater on their backs

Mar 10, 2020 For the western diamond-backed rattlesnake, the advantage might lie in a labyrinth of grooves on its scales.
Looking upstream Sabino Creek on one of the bridges at the popular recreation site in Tucson in early winter.

Arizona working to define and protect its waterways cut from Clean Water Act

Mar 10, 2020 The state needs to fill a regulatory gap following the new "Waters of the U.S." rule.
A toppled saguaro in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on Dec. 21, 2019.

Groups offer support for conservationists challenging border wall construction

Mar 9, 2020 Local governments, archaeologists and others have filed briefs supporting a challenge to the waiver of laws for border wall construction.
At least 20 small fishing boats surround Sea Shepherd's ship M/V Sharpie in the vaquita refuge on March 3, 2020.

Conservationists attacked again in Sea of Cortez despite presence of Mexican authorities

Mar 6, 2020 The group working to protect the nearly extinct vaquita marina porpoise was confronted for the third time this year.
Some of the clean power the Navajo Nation hopes to sell to Los Angeles will be produced by the sun.

Clean energy produced on Navajo land could help power Los Angeles

Mar 5, 2020 With the recent closure of the Navajo Generating Station, Navajo leaders are looking to jump start the tribal economy by partnering with Los Angeles.
The NOAA says Northern Hemisphere snow coverage in January was the 18th-smallest in 54 years of keeping records.

January 2020 was warmest January in 141 years of records, NOAA says

Feb 28, 2020 The four warmest Januaries documented in the climate record have occurred since 2016, the agency said.
Craig Station, a coal fired power plant in northwest Colorado, is slated to close by 2030.

As Western coal plants close, what happens to their water?

Feb 27, 2020 Closures looming, communities are starting to discuss how this newly freed up water should be put to use.
El Pinacate

Conservation groups to UNESCO: Border wall puts Sonora's World Heritage sites 'in danger'

Feb 24, 2020 The groups are urging the agency to declare the cratered landscape known as El Pinacate "in danger" due to border wall construction.
The San Pedro River in late January, 2020.

Groundwater use for Fort Huachuca and the San Pedro River

Feb 21, 2020 A look at the latest legal fight over the groundwater supply shared by Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista and the San Pedro River.
A file image of the Colorado River in Northern Arizona.

Report: Colorado River more sensitive to climate change than previously thought

Feb 21, 2020 A new study says the future water supply of the Colorado River is even more at risk.
After decades of dependency on coal for jobs, the Navajo Nation is turning to renewables.

Navajo Nation wants to provide power To LA

Feb 19, 2020 The deal is the latest attempt to make up for the lack of coal revenue and develop renewable energy projects.
A construction worker works on installing 30-foot bollard fencing along Arizona's border with Mexico in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, February 2020.

Controlled blasts for border wall project draw criticism

Feb 14, 2020 Critics say they threaten cultural sites that belong to the Tohono O'odham Nation.
The International Outfall Interceptor, or IOI, runs under this concrete-lined wash through the city of Nogales, Ariz.

More money possible to help faulty cross-border sewage pipe

Feb 14, 2020 A longstanding Nogales water contamination problem could see more funding under the President Trump's proposed budget.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's patrol ship M/V Farley Mowat in the Sea of Cortez in September 2019.

Conservationist ship attacked in endangered vaquita refuge

Feb 12, 2020 The crew patrolling to protect the endangered porpoise in the Sea of Cortez came under fire by suspected poachers.
The proposed site of the Rosemont Copper mining project is in the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona.

District judge overturns another part of Rosemont Mine approval

Feb 11, 2020 The judge on Monday threw out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's approval of the project.

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