{"id":150,"date":"2025-09-10T17:20:55","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T22:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderwallresistance.com\/?page_id=150"},"modified":"2026-03-25T06:14:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:14:32","slug":"san-rafael-valley","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/borderwallresistance.com\/?page_id=150","title":{"rendered":"Arizona-Sonora"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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All Eyes On: San Rafael Valley<\/strong> (Arizona-Sonora)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

They say when you see this place for the first time, you fall in love. Here, you find some of the last and most critical remaining unfragmented grasslands in the United States. In these lands, you encounter more wildlife than humans\u2014with populations of pronghorn, mule deer, black bears, and jaguar moving through the Sky Island mountain ranges that frame this valley on either side. With a long history of ranching, these lands have always been connected to humans here. As the headwaters for the Santa Cruz River, this is a vital source of water for humans and wildlife alike. A continental flyway for migratory birds, grassland species depend on this valley in their wintering migrations. As sacred homeland, the San Rafael Valley is connected to human histories throughout time, including the Tohono O’odham, Apache, Hopi, and Zuni peoples.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And yet, an ecologically devastating border wall construction project threatens precisely this area.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To follow this project in real time, bear witness with us through the 900 days\/900 photos project<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

photo courtesy of Krista Schlyer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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900 Days\/900 Photos<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We are rallying around the Valley and documenting the destruction and military invasion of this majestic and vital landscape for the next 900 days of proposed border wall construction (and beyond). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow our “900 Days\/900 Photos” Campaign here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The San Rafael Valley is undergoing a massive border wall construction project.<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Arguably, nowhere else in the US-Mexico borderlands is as important as the San Rafael for wildlife connectivity. Border construction and militarization threaten this connectivity. Act now and stand with the Valley!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Follow this “Rally for the Valley” Instagram Page here<\/a> for construction, conservation, and on-the-ground action updates.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For on-the-ground updates on this project, follow our 900 Days\/900 Photos project<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider giving<\/a> to directly help fund our work. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out upcoming events here!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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photos courtesy of Zach Palma\/Sky Island Alliance\/Erick Meza\/Russ McSpadden\/Eamon Harrity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Border Community Events + Happenings<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Join us!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check out this page<\/a> for recent events across US-Mexico border regions (and beyond!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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photo courtesy of Nanzi Muro<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About the San Rafael Valley<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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photo courtesy of Arizona Trail Association<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ecology of the Valley<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Get to know the flora, fauna, landscapes, and human connections to this majestic place\u2014a place we are set to lose if border construction continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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photo courtesy of Dale Turner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Media, Links, and Resources<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Follow the latest on the San Rafael Valley in the news. Read several of the scientific reports and articles that speak to why this place is so special.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“Epic Rides” by Joe Pagac (Tucson, AZ)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Art + Stories<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The story of this place cannot be told through science or journalism alone. For a complete picture, we turn to the arts. Experience the San Rafael Valley through stories + art.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Wildlife + The Wall<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

How does the Wall and border construction impact wildlife on the move? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer is: Irrevocably.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Follow here<\/a> for the latest updates on borderlands wildlife migrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

videos and photos courtesy of Sky Island Alliance<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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San Rafael grassland, photo courtesy of Dale Turner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThe tranquility of the valley will be
shattered.\u201d<\/p>The San Rafael Valley: Wildlife, Water, and a Way of Life at Risk<\/em> (Sky Island Alliance)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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photo courtesy of Erick Meza at Sierra Club-Borderlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n