The Sonoran Institute works with communities to conserve and restore important natural landscapes in Western North America, including the wildlife and cultural values of these lands.
Activities
Sonoran engages public agencies and organizations, private groups, and citizens in partnerships to develop collaborative, sound solutions to land policy and resource management issues. Sonoran often serves as facilitator in consensus building efforts; the organization also completes research, provides communication and publicity support; trains individuals and organizations; and shares important lessons with the public through documents, newsletters, and public events.
Relevant Project(s)
- The Western Community Stewardship Forum: a training and assistance program designed to provide rural western county officials the resources to effectively manage growth.
- Resources for Community Collaboration (RCC) supports community-based collaborations working to resolve conflicts over use of natural resources in the rural West.
- The Socioeconomics Program. Designed to help rural communities and land managers in the West understand changing economics, make connections between environmental health and economic vitality, and develop the ability to use this knowledge to advance conservation and economic prosperity.
Relevant Methodologies
The Institute’s approach to conservation is distinguished by its commitment to local processes and capacity building. The Institute’s staff work in communities as facilitators, catalysts, and resource people (not as top-down agenda-setters or content-drivers) to give communities the respect, information, and assistance they need. Ultimately, the Institute places its trust in the people of local communities to make sound conservation decisions. This honors a process by which communities set their priorities and develop solutions that address their individual circumstances.
Region
Western North America
More Information
7650 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 203
Tucson, AZ 85710
520-290-0828 (phone)
520-290-0969 (fax)