860372531 · AZ ↑ parent cluster ·
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TUCSON CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY

AZ · EIN 860372531 · $133K rev · operational · advocacy · tucsoncactus.org
profile

The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (TCSS) rescues native cacti and succulents from development sites and private properties in Southern Arizona, relocating them to public spaces or selling them to support conservation and education. The organization operates Pima Prickly Park, an 8-acre public garden maintained in partnership with Pima County, and hosts educational programs and monthly meetings for members and the public. TCSS focuses on preserving native plant species, promoting water-efficient landscaping, and fostering community engagement in desert conservation.

activities · 29

what they do

direct service · 23
  • Conduct Educational Outreach for K-12 Students Water & Desert Ecology Education Facilities
    Provides hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students through its Educational Outreach Program. Volunteers visit schools to teach about Sonoran Desert ecology, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping, donate plants for school gardens, organize field trips, and support science fair projects.
  • Host Monthly Meetings and Educational Programs Monthly Themed Membership Meetings with Speaker Presentations
    Hosts monthly in-person and virtual meetings featuring informative programs, raffles, door prizes, refreshments, and free plant distribution to members. These meetings also include pre-meeting opportunities to learn about club committees and volunteer opportunities.
  • Hosts plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, accepting various payment methods and selling merchandise and memberships during these events.
  • Hosts monthly educational meetings with member engagement Monthly Themed Membership Meetings with Speaker Presentations
    Conducts monthly in-person and virtual meetings from January through November featuring informative programs, raffles, door prizes, refreshments, and free plant distributions to members. Virtual attendees are eligible for a raffle prize of a $25 gift certificate to local nurseries.
  • Hosts plant sales and sells merchandise Horticultural Exhibitions and Plant Sales
    Organizes plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, accepting cash, checks, and credit cards. Also sells merchandise and memberships at checkout during these events.
  • Maintain Pima Prickly Park Public Park & Garden Stewardship
    Maintains Pima Prickly Park, an 8-acre public park, in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation. This includes planting special rescued cacti, organizing workdays, and deploying volunteers to assist visitors and answer plant-related questions.
  • Maintains a library resource for members
    Operates a private library with books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents, offering books for checkout at organizational meetings.
  • Maintains and enhances Pima Prickly Park Public Park & Garden Stewardship
    Co-manages an 8-acre public park in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, including planting rescued special cacti, organizing workdays, and deploying volunteers to assist visitors and answer plant-related questions.
  • Operate Cactus and Succulent Rescue Programs Habitat Restoration & Invasive Species Management
    Operates Native and Urban Cactus Rescue programs that salvage native plants from development sites and homeowners' properties. Volunteers dig up and move rescued cacti, which are then transplanted to Pima Prickly Park, distributed to volunteers, or sold at plant sales to promote native plant use and conservation. The program has rescued over 137,500 plants.
  • Operate a Member Library
    Maintains an extensive private library of books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents for members to check out at organizational meetings.
  • Operate a Member Library
    Maintains an extensive library of books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents, available for checkout by members at organizational meetings.
  • Operates plant rescue programs for native and urban cacti Habitat Restoration & Invasive Species Management
    Runs a Native Cactus Rescue program that salvages native plants from development sites and an Urban Cactus Rescue program that responds to homeowner requests to save cacti and succulents. Volunteers conduct scouting, secure state permits, and physically rescue plants, with over 137,500 plants rescued to date.
  • Organize Member Garden Tours Online Environmental Education Resources
    Organizes garden tours for members to various locations, including Pima Prickly Park and other local gardens.
  • Organize Member Garden Tours and Silent Auctions Online Environmental Education Resources
    Organizes garden tours for members and holds annual silent auctions.
  • Organize Plant Sales and Auctions Horticultural Exhibitions and Plant Sales
    Hosts plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, and holds annual silent auctions. These events also sell merchandise and memberships.
  • Organizes member activities and field trips Online Environmental Education Resources
    Arranges garden tours, field trips to Pima Prickly Park and other local gardens, and annual silent auctions for members. Also offers pre-meeting sessions to inform members about club committees and volunteer opportunities.
  • Provides educational outreach to schools and youth Water & Desert Ecology Education Facilities
    Delivers hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students through classroom visits, teaching about Sonoran Desert ecology, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping. Donates cacti and succulents for school gardens and supports science fair projects with educational materials.
  • Publishes a monthly newsletter containing information about presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of upcoming events.
  • Publishes a monthly newsletter containing information about presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of upcoming events for its members.
  • Publishes a monthly newsletter for members Member Newsletter & Magazine Distribution
    Distributes a monthly newsletter containing information about upcoming presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of events and programs.
  • Support Coteco Biological Preserve Conservation Advocacy & Land Protection
    Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and conducts evaluations of its fencing and habitat.
  • Support Coteco Biological Preserve Conservation Advocacy & Land Protection
    Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and conducts evaluations of its fencing stability and habitat.
  • Supports international conservation efforts Conservation Advocacy & Land Protection
    Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and sends members to evaluate habitat conditions. Confirmed intact fencing, abundant organ pipe cacti, and competent management during a 2019 visit.
advocacy · 3
capacity building · 3
  • Provide Technical Support Technical Support Services
    Operates a Technical Support Team that addresses technology issues and supports the organization's digital operations.
  • Provide Technical Support for Organizational Operations Technical Support Services
    Operates a Technical Support Team that addresses technology issues and supports the organization's digital operations.
  • Provides technical and digital support for operations Technical Support Services
    Operates a Technical Support Team that resolves technology issues and maintains the organization’s digital infrastructure.
strategies · 21

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.

named programs · 4

what they call their work

Coteco Biological Preserve Support
Provides financial and logistical support for the preservation of a 500-acre cactus-rich ecosystem in Sonora, Mexico, focusing on the culturally significant organ pipe cactus
Native Cactus Rescue
Salvages native cacti from development sites including road construction, utilities, schools, and private developments; plants are relocated to Pima Prickly Park, given to volunteers, or sold at public sales
Pima Prickly Park
8-acre public park in Tucson maintained in partnership with Pima County, featuring themed gardens and serving as a conservation and education site for native cacti and succulents
Urban Cactus Rescue
Rescues cacti and succulents from private homeowners undergoing landscape changes or relocation; prioritizes plants that can be safely moved and benefits the club's collection or sales
relationships · 9

who they work with

  • Alberto Búrquez Partner — Mexican ecologist who traveled with TCSS members to the Coteco Preserve.
  • Amphi Land Lab Partner — Hosts TCSS plant storage area and sales events at its facility.
  • David Yetman Partner — Ethnobotanist who traveled with TCSS members to the Coteco Preserve and recognized the value of the ecosystem.
  • Justino Flores Partner — Resident of the Mayo community of Massiaca who guided the group touring the Coteco Preserve.
  • Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Partner — Maintains Pima Prickly Park in partnership with TCSS and has a 15-year operating agreement for the park.
  • Pima Prickly Park Partner — Organizes field trips for students to the park.
  • Pima Prickly Park Partner — Transplants some rescued cacti to Pima Prickly Park.
  • St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church Partner — Hosts the organization's monthly meetings at the Murphey Gallery.
  • State of Arizona Government — Works with the State of Arizona to secure native plant removal permits and tags for cactus rescues.