1. Radio
  2. Environment Wildlife

More Environment Wildlife Stories

Fishing boats float on the Sea of Cortez outside the little town of San Felipe, Baja California, in October 2018.

Mexico fishermen scoff at governor's suggestion to switch to taxi driving

The suggestion comes as fishermen in the Sea of Cortez struggle with increasing restrictions meant to protect a highly endangered porpoise.
Sonoran desert tortoise.

Tortoise regains some protections, as agency agrees to revisit endangered status

The action resulted from a lawsuit filed last year by conservation groups.
In 1856, William Henry Perkin, an 18-year old chemistry student at the time, was trying to synthesize malaria drug, when accidentally developed a purple dye. This dye is believed to be one of the first steps of chemistry taking over the world.

What living in a world made from chemicals means for "The Sensitives".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Jes Baker on making self-love a part of the pandemic; and a Summer 2020 insect update from "The King of Sting", Justin O. Schmidt.
Quitobaquito pond, July 18, 2020.

'A worst-case scenario': Leaks, dust, water pumping and drought plague Quitobaquito

Border-hugging spring and its pond are sacred to Hia C-ed O'odham and the Tohono O'odham communities
Scientists have been studying the Colorado River, shown here from above Deer Creek Falls, for nearly four decades to understand the environmental impacts of the Glen Canyon Dam on a water source used by around 40 million people in seven states. The environment, climate change, tribal rights and those water users will all be considered in river-management talks expected to begin later this year.

Humpback chub 'alien abductions' help frame the future of the Colorado River

While not considered very "charismatic," this keystone fish plays an important role in water policy.
A drone photo shows construction work beginning in the San Pedro riverbed on June 30, 2020.

Border wall construction begins across San Pedro River

The controversial project across Arizona's last free-flowing river is underway.
Ryan Parker Knox (left) and Joseph McGrath performing "The Mark on the Wall" by Virginia Woolf in the AZPM radio studio.

Rogue Radio presents Virginia Woolf's "The Mark on the Wall"

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson Samaritans' 18 year mission continues; and how the border wall endangers the future of the Sonoyta mud turtle.
A construction worker works on installing 30-foot bollard fencing along Arizona's border with Mexico in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, February 2020.

Federal court rules president's use of military funds for border wall is illegal

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued their ruling Friday.
With residences in the foreground, the Bighorn Fire burns in the Santa Catalina Mountains on June 10, 2020.

Wildfires burn across Arizona

We discuss the year's fire outlook and what ecological changes result from such fires.
Drone camera image of border wall construction along the San Pedro River in early June, 2020.

Border wall construction results in 'loss of trust' from community

While many locals are disturbed by the actual construction, they say being ignored in the process has been equally frustrating.
Looking west toward the San Rafael Valley and the Patagonia Mountains.

Groups say border wall construction threatens biodiversity of Arizona sky islands

Conservation groups say the animals rely on the ranges to travel between habitats in the U.S. and Mexico.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's patrol ship M/V Farley Mowat in the Sea of Cortez in September 2019.

Group suspends efforts to protect endangered vaquita during pandemic

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says it will resume operations to protect the small porpoise in the Gulf of California as soon as it's safe.
At least 20 small fishing boats surround Sea Shepherd's ship M/V Sharpie in the vaquita refuge on March 3, 2020.

Conservationists attacked again in Sea of Cortez despite presence of Mexican authorities

The group working to protect the nearly extinct vaquita marina porpoise was confronted for the third time this year.
El Pinacate

Conservation groups to UNESCO: Border wall puts Sonora's World Heritage sites 'in danger'

The groups are urging the agency to declare the cratered landscape known as El Pinacate "in danger" due to border wall construction.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's patrol ship M/V Farley Mowat in the Sea of Cortez in September 2019.

Conservationist ship attacked in endangered vaquita refuge

The crew patrolling to protect the endangered porpoise in the Sea of Cortez came under fire by suspected poachers.
The proposed site of the Rosemont Copper mining project is in the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona.

District judge overturns another part of Rosemont Mine approval

The judge on Monday threw out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's approval of the project.

Selected Archive Filters

Environment, Wildlife
Back to Top
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona