Science-Guided Conservation

By aligning scientific research with local conservation needs and landowner priorities, organizations achieve more effective and adopted conservation outcomes, because locally relevant, evidence-based solutions are more likely to be trusted and implemented by stakeholders. This strategy treats landscapes as living laboratories, using structured science agendas and research protocols to ensure that data collection directly informs on-the-ground action. It distinguishes itself by integrating rigorous science with community engagement and knowledge sharing, ensuring that research is not only credible but also accessible and actionable for land managers and local partners.

orgs running it

activities of those orgs

clusters touched

who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 1

#01 ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE AZ · 9 activities

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

Administer research and science support programs ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
research
Manages the Altar Valley Research Fellowship to fund scientific research and maintains a Science Advisory Board that meets quarterly to guide the organization’s science initiatives.
Advocate for conservation funding and legal agreements ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
advocacy
Negotiated a settlement with Kinder-Morgan over the Sierrita Pipeline, resulting in an endowment to support ongoing conservation work in the Altar Valley.
Develop and advance the Altar Valley Fire Management Plan ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
research
Created a comprehensive fire management plan supported by biological assessments and environmental reviews, secured regulatory approval (Finding of No Significant Impact), and facilitated prescribed burns and fire monitoring in the valley.
Develop and implement the Altar Valley Watershed Plan ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
research
A collaboratively developed plan identifying conservation priorities and management goals for the Altar Valley, created through the Altar Valley Watershed Working Group and supported by watershed assessments and resource management studies.
Develop and maintain the Altar Valley Collection ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
capacity building
A curated digital archive of historical and research materials about the Altar Valley, created in partnership with Global Rangelands and the University of Arizona, and regularly updated with new information.
Facilitate fire management coordination and prescribed burns ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
direct service
Coordinates biannual fire management meetings, led the first Altar Valley Fire Meeting in 2012, and implemented prescribed burns on private and public lands through cross-boundary collaboration.
Host workshops and community engagement events ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
capacity building
Conducts technical workshops on arroyo restoration, road maintenance, and brush management in collaboration with experts and the University of Arizona, and hosts an annual community meeting for stakeholders.
Implement on-the-ground conservation and restoration projects ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
direct service
Conducts field projects including erosion control, brush management, grassland enhancement (e.g., 2,000-acre mesquite treatment), riparian restoration (La Osa Wells), and watershed demonstration projects with long-term monitoring and outreach components.
Provide geospatial data and mapping tools for the Altar Valley ALTAR VALLEY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
direct service
Operates an interactive web map portal with up-to-date GIS data, a real-time Fire Information Map, and tools for generating custom PDFs, developed in collaboration with Quiet Creek Corporation.