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PLEASE COME TO THE ARIZONA GAME & FISH COMMISSION MEETING

  Saturday, March 13^th at 9:00 a.m.
Best Western Inn Suites
6201 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson

Please come to this critical Game and Fish Commission Meeting and speak up for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) and the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness proposal.

The Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness presentation and discussion is scheduled for time certain at 10:00 am, meaning they will stop whatever else they are doing and go to that item right at 10:00 am.  Matt Skroch of the Sky Island Alliance and Ruben Reyes from Congressman Raśl Grijalva's office will give a presentation about the proposed Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness and Rep. Grijalva's bill.  Normally, the public is allowed to speak after the official presentation(s) are heard.

Pima County will give a presentation on the SDCP.  It is likely that this will happen after the Tumacacori Highlands presentation, but it could be shifted, so please be at the meeting by 9am.

We expect that the Commission will take action on both items, which could very well mean formal opposition by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.  Please attend this very important meeting and speak out for wildlife and wilderness by supporting both the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness proposal.

Here are some talking points:

Tumacacori Highlands

• Tumacacori Highlands provides habitat for a variety of animals including the jaguar, elegant trogon, gray hawk, mountain lion, javelina, coati, and many more.
• Over 50 threatened, endangered, or sensitive plants and animals are found in this area. Loss of habitat is the number one reason for species endangerment protecting this important habitat area is critical and could help aid in the recovery of some of these species.
• Increasing population growth, off-road vehicles, and energy industry transmission lines threaten this area.  It is important that we act now to protect this area.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation threatens much of Arizona's wildlife.  It is important the Game and Fish Commission support measures like this that actively protect habitat and the associated wildlife.

Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan

• The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan is a comprehensive planning proposal to conserve Pima County's most important natural and cultural resources, while still accommodating growth.
• The plan seeks to protect sensitive desert and riparian species and their associated habitats, many of them wildlife species.  The plan is good for wildlife as it addresses the most critical need for wildlife habitat.
• It addresses several issues relative to the Endangered Species Act including the incidental take permit as well as other relevant community needs pertaining to urban growth, cultural, and quality-of-life issues.
• The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan will outline where growth will occur and where conservation will occur.
• To help implement the plan and after extensive public review and involvement, the Pima County Board of Supervisors referred to the ballot a bond package that includes a $174.3 million open space bond that would protect streams and creeks as well as desert grasslands and many other habitat types.
• The Arizona Game and Fish Commission should support this important wildlife habitat protection plan.

Please fill out one of the blue cards as soon as you arrive at the meeting and let them know that you wish to speak or at least express support on the card, if you do not want to speak.

If you live in Tucson, please plan to attend.  If you live in other parts of the state and would like to attend, we are happy to try and help arrange carpooling. If you have any questions or are interested in carpooling, please call Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633. We will be carpooling from Phoenix and leaving by 7am on that Saturday morning. Please call for details and to r.s.v.p.

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Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633