↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier →

THE SONORAN INSTITUTE INC
TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860684610 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE B99 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.sonoraninstitute.org
revenue
$3.0M
expenses
$2.7M
net assets
$2.5M
employees
18
volunteers
23
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

SEE SCHEDULE O

profile · synthesized from sources

The Sonoran Institute works to conserve natural resources and promote sustainable communities in the North American West, focusing on the Santa Cruz River watershed in Arizona and northern Mexico. They conduct research, synthesize data, and engage communities to restore and protect river ecosystems, particularly through the responsible use of treated wastewater.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $434K
    GROWING WATER SMART PROGRAM: THE GROWING WATER SMART PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE CHALLENGES OF AN OVER APPROPRIATED COLORADO RIVER, AS WELL AS THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THAT DO NOT LEAVE WATER FOR BOTH HEALTHY LANDSCAPES (ENVIRONMENT) AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES (PEOPLE). THE GROWING WATER SMART PROGRAM, OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BABBITT CENTER FOR LAND AND WATER POLICY, PROVIDES TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH PLANS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT CONSERVE MUNICIPAL WATER AND USE IT SUSTAINABLY IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS ARIZONA, COLORADO, AND SOON CALIFORNIA. IN OUR GROWING WATER SMART WORKSHOPS AND FOLLOW-UP ASSISTANCE, AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF LAND-USE PLANNERS, WATER PROVIDERS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ASSESS THEIR COMMUNITY'S WATER CHALLENGES, AND IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE WATER DEMAND IN NEW AND EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGE WATER SUSTAINABLY AND HOLISTICALLY INTO THE FUTURE. 1. PUBLISHED SUBSTANTIALLY UPDATED GROWING WATER SMART: THE WATER-LAND USE GUIDEBOOK FOR ARIZONA. 2. HELD GROWING WATER SMART ARIZONA WORKSHOP VIRTUALLY MARCH 1, 3, 8, AND 10 2022 WITH PARTICIPATION FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES: AVONDALE, PRESCOTT, KINGMAN, PIMA COUNTY, YAVAPAI COUNTY. 3. HELD GROWING WATER SMART COLORADO WORKSHOP MAY 8-10, 2022, WITH PARTICIPATION FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES: CITY OF ALAMOSA, ALAMOSA COUNTY, CONEJOS COUNTY, COSTILLA COUNTY, MINERAL COUNTY, TOWN OF CREEDE, TOWN OF DEL NORTE, RIO GRANDE COUNTY, SAGUACHE COUNTY. 4. HELD GROWING WATER SMART COLORADO WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2022, WITH PARTICIPATION FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES: CITY OF CHEYENNE, TOWN OF WINDSOR, TOWN OF LYONS, CITY AND COUNTY OF BROOMFIELD, CITY OF LONGMONT.
  2. #2 $229K
    SANTA CRUZ RIVER PROGRAM 1. PUBLISHED TWO LIVING RIVER REPORTS IN 2022, ONE FOR UPPER AND ONE FOR LOWER SANTA CRUZ RIVER. THE TUCSON/PIMA COUNTY LIVING RIVER REPORT LAUNCHED IN LATE SEPTEMBER WITH A DISTRIBUTION OF OVER 11,000 HOUSEHOLDS. THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THE NOGALES LIVING RIVER REPORT WAS RELEASED IN DECEMBER IN A FIRST-EVER, SINGLE BILINGUAL DOCUMENT. 2. MAJOR OUTREACH SUCCESSES: SANTA CRUZ RIVER RESEARCH DAYS 2022 FEATURED REAL-TIME ENGLISH/SPANISH TRANSLATION AND DREW OVER 100 ATTENDEES WITH 55 NEW ATTENDEES. THE THEME WAS "THE CULTURE AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SANTA CRUZ- AND WE HAD TWO KEYNOTE SPEAKERS WHO SPOKE TO ETHNOBOTANY AND ARTISTIC RECREATIONS OF PRE-MODERN TIMES.
named programs · 7 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Fish Survey
An annual survey conducted with staff, partners, and friends to identify fish species in the Santa Cruz River.
Living River Academy
An educational program for teachers that uses the Living River reports as guides.
Living River Health Assessments
Annual assessments tracking indicators like water quality, native fish, and wildlife in the Santa Cruz River to understand its health and inform stewardship efforts. These assessments are conducted for both the Upper and Lower Santa Cruz River.
Living River of Words
An educational program for K-12 students that uses the Living River reports as guides to teach about the river.
North Drain Collector Recovery
Efforts to advance the recovery of the North Drain Collector in Mexicali, Mexico.
Santa Cruz River Program
A program focused on the Santa Cruz River, including managing RFPs and advancing recovery efforts.
Santa Cruz River Research Days
An annual gathering for groups working on the Santa Cruz River to share ideas and experiences related to conservation of natural and cultural resources.
activities · 17 groups

what they do

  • Water Quality & Hydrologic Monitoring 13 activities
    • Estuary Condition Assessment
      Established baseline biological and physical conditions in the estuary and collects and analyzes data from flow delivery and connectivity work.
    • Flow Monitoring
      Monitors flows along a 20-mile stretch of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop path along the Santa Cruz River.
    • Hydrologic Modeling and Water Introduction Planning
      Utilizes scientific research and hydrologic modeling to identify methods for introducing water to dry sections of the Santa Cruz River.
    • Living River Reports Compilation
      Compiles "Living River" reports on the Lower Santa Cruz River, a 23-mile stretch northwest of Tucson, since 2013.
    • Santa Cruz River Condition Reports
      Synthesized data collected by multiple partners to create reports detailing the Santa Cruz River's condition and needs.
    • Santa Cruz River Research and Monitoring
      Conducts research, data synthesis, and monitoring of the Santa Cruz River's condition, including fish surveys and habitat assessments, to understand its health and inform conservation efforts.
    • Santa Cruz River Research and Monitoring
      Conducts ongoing research and monitoring of the Santa Cruz River, including assessing its conditions, validating habitat revival due to cleaner wastewater, identifying fish species through annual surveys, and synthesizing data from multiple partners to create detailed reports. This also involves establishing baseline biological and physical conditions and collecting data from flow delivery work.
    • Santa Cruz River Research and Monitoring
      Conducts research, monitoring, and data synthesis to assess the health and conditions of the Santa Cruz River, including fish surveys and "Living River" reports, and convenes a science advisory committee to guide these assessments.
    • Science Advisory Committee
      Convened a science advisory committee of experts in ecology, wildlife, and hydrology to guide "Living River" health assessments.
    • Scientific Advisory Committee Convening
      Convenes a science advisory committee of experts in ecology, wildlife, and hydrology to guide health assessments for the "Living River" program.
    • University and Public Presentations
      Presents research and findings at academic and public forums, such as the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center’s Seminar Series, to share knowledge and engage with broader audiences.
    • Water Resource Research Presentation
      Presents at academic seminars, such as the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center’s Seminar Series, to share insights on water challenges.
    • Water Resources Seminar Presentation
      Presented at the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center’s Seminar Series in February 2023.
  • Riparian & Habitat Restoration 7 activities
    • Colorado River Delta Program
      Operates a Colorado River Delta program focused on reclamation and renewal.
    • Colorado River Delta Restoration
      Restores wetlands and enhances estuarine habitats in the Colorado River Delta, including the construction of treatment wetlands and experimental freshwater deliveries, to protect species and support local ecosystems and economies.
    • Colorado River Delta Restoration
      Restores wetlands and enhances estuarine habitats in the Colorado River Delta, including the construction of treatment wetlands and experimental freshwater deliveries, to protect species and support local ecosystems and economies.
    • Colorado River Delta Restoration
      Operates a program focused on the reclamation and renewal of the Colorado River Delta, including restoring wetlands, enhancing estuarine habitats, and creating new habitats for birds and recreation areas. This involves constructing treatment wetlands, designing and implementing experimental freshwater deliveries, and increasing tidal connectivity to the river.
    • Estuarine Habitat Enhancement
      Enhances estuarine habitat to protect species and jobs dependent on the ecosystem.
    • Habitat Creation and Species Protection
      Transforms degraded sites into community parks and provides breeding grounds for endangered species like the Yuma Clapper Rail and Virginia Rail, contributing to biodiversity and community well-being.
    • Wetlands Restoration
      Restores wetlands in the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • Climate Resilience Capacity Building 6 activities
    • Resilient Communities Program
      Conducts workshops and develops resources, such as the Resilient Communities Starter Kit, to help communities address climate change impacts and build resilience. This program has been implemented in various locations including Missoula, Montana, Jemez Springs, New Mexico, Hurricane, Utah, and Silver Valley, Idaho.
    • Resilient Communities Program
      Conducts workshops and develops resources, such as the Resilient Communities Starter Kit, to help communities address climate change impacts and build resilience.
    • Resilient Communities Starter Kit
      Developed the Resilient Communities Starter Kit, a guide for communities to address climate change impacts, with input from a 17-member advisory panel.
    • Resilient Communities Workshop
      Conducted a Resilient Communities Workshop in April 2015 for Missoula, Montana, and Jemez Springs, New Mexico.
    • Resilient Communities Workshops and Toolkits
      Conducts workshops and develops resources like the Resilient Communities Starter Kit to help communities address climate change impacts and build resilience.
    • Second Resilient Communities Workshop
      Conducted a second Resilient Communities Workshop in January 2016 for Hurricane, Utah, and Silver Valley, Idaho.
  • Conservation Symposium Coordination 5 activities
    • Santa Cruz River Program Management
      Manages the Santa Cruz River Program, which includes organizing an annual symposium for sharing ideas and experiences among groups working on the river, convening a science advisory committee, and awarding RFPs for related projects.
    • Santa Cruz River Research Days Symposium
      Organizes the annual Santa Cruz River Research Days symposium.
    • Santa Cruz River Research Days Symposium
      Organizes and coordinates an annual symposium for groups working on the Santa Cruz River to share research, ideas, and experiences.
    • Santa Cruz River Research Days Symposium
      Organizes and coordinates an annual symposium for groups working on the Santa Cruz River to share research, ideas, and experiences.
    • Santa Cruz River Research Event
      Organizes a hybrid in-person and virtual event to share research and conservation efforts related to the Santa Cruz River.
  • Organized Community Litter Cleanups 3 activities
    • Community Trash Cleanups
      Organizes community trash cleanups.
    • Community-led Cleanups and Park Development
      Organizes community trash cleanups and transforms illegal dump sites into community parks and recreation areas, often in collaboration with local residents and government agencies.
    • International Drain Cleanup
      Cleaned a one-mile stretch of the International Drain along the U.S.-Mexico border multiple times, removing trash in collaboration with community members and government agencies.
  • Water Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Planning 2 activities
    • Groundwater Regulations Advocacy
      Weighed in on negotiations in the Arizona State Legislature regarding groundwater regulations in 2024.
    • Water Challenges Advocacy
      Sent a letter to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority in 2023 regarding Arizona's water challenges and legislation.
  • Carbon Sequestration through Ecosystem Restoration 2 activities
    • Las Arenitas Treatment Wetland
      Began construction of the Las Arenitas treatment wetland in 2009, which is now 70% complete.
    • Santa Cruz River Program RFPs
      Awarded two RFPs through its Santa Cruz River Program in 2025.
  • Therapeutic & Community Art Workshops 1 activity
    • Art Workshop for Children
      Conducted an art workshop at a school where children painted their visions for the changing drain.
  • Wildlife Population Monitoring 1 activity
    • Bird Species Increase Observation
      Observed an increase in bird species from 8 to 160 and total bird count from under 100 to 18,000 in the Las Arenitas area between 2009 and 2015.
  • Camp and Community Site Rehabilitation 1 activity
    • Community Park Transformation
      Transformed an illegal dump site into a community park with benches and open space for children in the Colonia Fronteriza neighborhood of Mexicali.
  • Environmental Education Festivals & Events 1 activity
    • Earth Day Celebration
      Hosts an Earth Day celebration featuring informative presentations from community partners.
  • Recycling & Reuse Education and Advocacy 1 activity
    • Household Recycling Education
      Educates families on how to recycle and reduce household solid waste.
  • Scientific Research & Monitoring 1 activity
    • National Monuments Designation
      Provided research and analysis that informed the designation of 1.8 million acres of national monuments in the California desert in February 2016.
  • Nature-Based Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • New Habitat Creation
      Created new habitat for birds and a recreation area with walking trails and a visitor center near Mexicali.
  • Wildlife Water Source Development & Management 1 activity
    • Tide Connection Increase
      Doubled the number of days each year that tides connect with the river, increasing it from 18 to 37 days.
  • Local Water Utility Operations 1 activity
    • Treated Wastewater Agreement
      Secured an agreement to dedicate 30% of treated wastewater, ensuring 8,000 acre-feet of water flows into the Hardy River annually for 20 years, with potential to increase to 12,000 acre-feet.
  • Uncategorized 22 activities
    • Advocacy for Conservation Policy
      Engages in advocacy efforts to influence conservation policy, including conducting outreach to stakeholders and policymakers, providing research and analysis to inform land designations, and weighing in on legislative negotiations regarding groundwater regulations. This also involves securing agreements for water allocation for environmental flows.
    • Advocacy for Conservation Policy
      Engages in advocacy and public policy efforts to promote conservation, including providing research to inform land designations, influencing groundwater regulations, and securing water agreements for river restoration.
    • Advocacy for Conservation and Water Policy
      Engages in advocacy efforts to support conservation initiatives, inform policy decisions, and secure agreements for water resources, particularly in the California desert and Arizona, and for the White Tank Mountains Conservancy.
    • Annual Fish Survey
      Conducted its 16th annual fish survey in late 2023 to identify fish species in the water.
    • California Desert Outreach
      Conducted outreach to stakeholders in the California desert region and Washington, DC, to present findings from its 2015 report on the economic impacts of the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act.
    • Community Engagement and Education
      Organizes community events, workshops, and educational programs focused on environmental conservation, recycling, and water resource protection, often in collaboration with local partners and schools.
    • Community Engagement and Education for Environmental Conservation
      Organizes community events and workshops to promote environmental awareness and conservation, such as Earth Day celebrations, environmental fairs at schools, art workshops for children, and community trash cleanups. This also includes educating families on recycling and waste reduction, and organizing neighborhood watch patrols against illegal dumping.
    • Community Engagement and Environmental Education
      Organizes community events such as Earth Day celebrations, trash cleanups, and environmental fairs, and educates families on recycling and waste reduction, often in collaboration with government agencies and schools.
    • Community Park Development
      Transforms illegal dump sites into community parks with amenities like benches and open spaces, and creates new habitats and recreation areas with walking trails and visitor centers.
    • Conservation Outreach Overflights
      Organized overflights of the White Tank Mountains for stakeholders and media to support conservation outreach.
    • Economic Impact Report
      Published a report assessing the economic impact of the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015 on mining and the regional economy.
    • Economic Impact Research
      Publishes reports assessing the economic impact of conservation legislation on regional economies and specific industries.
    • Economic Impact Research
      Publishes reports assessing the economic impact of conservation legislation on regional economies, such as the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act.
    • Economic Impact Research
      Publishes reports assessing the economic impact of conservation legislation, such as the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015, on regional economies and specific industries like mining.
    • Environmental Fair Collaboration
      Collaborated with government agencies to host an environmental fair at an elementary school, featuring exhibits on recycling, water resource protection, disease prevention through cleanliness, and native plants.
    • Freshwater Delivery Experiment
      Designed and implemented an experimental delivery of freshwater to the estuary in August 2015, with a second delivery planned for late 2016.
    • Living River Report Publication
      Published the first "Living River" report, a baseline study assessing conditions in a 20-mile stretch of the Santa Cruz River from Rio Rico to Amado, Arizona, between October 2007 and September 2008.
    • Research Support for Fundraising
      Provided research and data to support the White Tank Mountains Conservancy’s fundraising and leadership engagement.
    • Santa Cruz River Habitat Validation
      Validated that cleaner wastewater has revived the Santa Cruz River's natural habitat, contributing to the return of the Gila topminnow.
    • White Tank Mountains Advocacy
      Provided leadership for the advocacy and public policy committee of the White Tank Mountains Conservancy.
    • White Tank Mountains Conservancy Support
      Provides leadership, research, and outreach support for the White Tank Mountains Conservancy to aid in fundraising, leadership engagement, and conservation efforts.
    • White Tank Mountains Conservation Support
      Provides research and data to support the White Tank Mountains Conservancy's fundraising and leadership engagement, and observes increases in bird species in restored areas.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$2.97M
Contributions & grants$1.57M53%
Program service revenue$1.21M41%
Investment income$154K5%
Other revenue$31K
expenses
Total expenses$2.69M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.57M
Grants paid out$30K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.03M
Cash$1.77M
Investments$1.59M
Liabilities$1.57M
Net assets$2.46M
Liquid reserves15.0 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +5.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHAEL ZELLNER CEO 40 $151K
KIM EGITA CFAO 40 $113K
board members · 23
  • ALAN DENNIS — DIRECTOR
  • ALLISON GREEN — DIRECTOR
  • ANN HUNTER WELBORN — DIRECTOR
  • ANNA HILL PRICE — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA GREEN — DIRECTOR
  • BARTON BUZZ THOMPSON — DIRECTOR
  • CHRIS PEREZ — DIRECTOR
  • DAN KIMBALL — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID BAUMGARTEN — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID WEGNER — DIRECTOR
  • JOSEPH KALT — DIRECTOR
  • LAURINDA OSWALD — DIRECTOR
  • LEE LEACHMAN — DIRECTOR
  • LOLLIE PLANK — DIRECTOR
  • LOUISE GLASSER — SECRETARY
  • MARY ALEXANDER — CHAIR
  • MATT TEETERS — TREASURER
  • NYDA JONES CHURCH — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD SCHAEFER — VICE CHAIR
  • ROBERTO SALMON — DIRECTOR
  • ROWENE AGUIRRE-MEDINA — DIRECTOR
  • TARA KANE PRENDERGAST — DIRECTOR
  • TOM GROGAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 21

who they work with

  • Autonomous University of Baja California Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • Center for Research and Development Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • Colorado Delta Program Partner — The Mexicali Fluye campaign is part of the Colorado Delta Program.
  • Comision Estatal de Servicios Publicos de Mexicali (CESPM) Partner — Partnered with to create a wetland next to the treatment plant and reached an agreement regarding wastewater dedication.
  • DMB Partner — Collaborated with DMB, the developer of Verrado, in launching the White Tank Mountains Conservancy
  • Friends of the Santa Cruz River (FOSCR) Partner — Collaborated on understanding data and identifying important indicators for the Santa Cruz River's survival.
  • Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Partner — Western Lands and Communities (WLC) is a joint program of the Sonoran Institute and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
  • Maricopa County Parks Department Partner — Partner agency managing White Tank Regional Park, part of the conserved area the institute supports
  • Mexican National Commission for Natural Protected Areas Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • National Parks Conservation Association Partner — Collaborated with the Sonoran Institute on the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act debate, with its director citing the Institute's research as valuable to the policy discussion.
  • Pima County Flood Control District Partner — Partnered to educate the public, stakeholders, and decision makers about Pima County's investment in wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
  • Pima County, Arizona Partner — Collaborates on compiling "Living River" reports for the Lower Santa Cruz River since 2013.
  • Pronatura Noroeste Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • Pronatura Noroeste Partner — Partner in the Delta and monitors the bird population at Las Arenitas.
  • The Nature Conservancy Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • Tumacácori National Historical Park Partner — The park's mile of river is one of the sites of the Gila topminnows’ comeback, which the Sonoran Institute helped validate.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Partner in restoring the Colorado River Delta's estuary.
  • University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center Partner — Presented at their Seminar Series in February 2023.
  • Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Government — Sent a letter to the authority regarding Arizona's water challenges.
  • Whiskey Del Bac Partner — Host venue for Earth Day celebration featuring collaboration with community partners.
  • White Tank Mountains Conservancy Partner — Charter member and leader of the advocacy and public policy committee