A number of Marana residents participated in a recent Santa Cruz River survey conducted by the Sonoran Institute. The survey yielded a number of insightful responses, and they already have big plans to use the information.
They are hosting a trio of workshops in the coming weeks to finish their research and start making recommendations to Pima County Regional Flood Control. As you took the survey, you may have noticed that some of the survey questions were kept at a very high level. Now in our workshops they will explore some of these questions further, exposing more nuance. They are also like your help identifying the preferred balance between opposing management trade-offs and will provide paper maps for your recreational improvements ideas.
They hope to cover a lot of ground, and anyone can attend, even those who have taken the survey already. Each workshop will focus on a different segment of the river. Click the link for more info and to register: www.sonoraninstitute.org/events/santa-cruz-workshops
Date & Time
River Reach
Workshop Location
October 10, 6pm
Grant – Ina
Ellie Towne Flowing Wells CC
October 12, 6pm
Avra Valley – Trico
Marana Municipal Center, 2nd floor
October18, 6pm
Ina – Avra Valley
Wheeler Abbott Taft Jr Library
More on the workshops:
Your voice is an important part of the Santa Cruz River!
Have you ever thought that your regular route on the Loop trail could use a drinking fountain? Would you rather see new flowing reaches of the river or protect the currently flowing & vegetated areas? Do you feel that erosion needs to be taken more seriously on your local stretch of the Santa Cruz? We want to hear all of your ideas, big and smallThis series of FREE workshops is a venue for sharing your experiences and ideas about the Santa Cruz River. Your input will be used in the upcoming management plan for part of the Santa Cruz River. You will help us ensure that the river remains a vital and thriving resource in our community.
How will I influence the future of the Santa Cruz River?
The Santa Cruz River Improvements Workshop and Survey is an opportunity to share your river management preferences and to share ideas for improvement projects. Your input will be used by Pima County as they develop a management plan for the stretch of river between Grant and Trico Road. This includes the flowing section that begins near Sweetwater Drive.
This management plan guides the future of our river in two ways, and you can influence them both.
The plan will describe goals and outline ways for reaching those goals. You help identify which areas need special attention by telling us what you like about the river and your values.
The Plan will also identify and prioritize river improvements related to flood safety, erosion, and recreation. Projects can include things that enhance your experience on the river, such as additional signage, restrooms, drinking fountains and anything else you come up with. Pima County wants to know your suggestions for improvement projects.
What will these workshops be like?
Come prepared to think in broad and fine scales & to share your experiences! As a workshop attendee, you’ll give your input in three highly interactive ways. First, you’ll watch a short video and tell us what information is new and exciting to you. Second, you’ll identify the preferred solution to realistic management scenarios. Finally, you’ll use maps to record suggestions for improvement projects along the river.
NOTE: There will be three workshops, each one focused on a subset of the management area. You can attend more than one workshop. If you know someone that might like to participate, but can’t attend a workshop please share our online survey.
