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A Wild Mustang For Mothers Day
Happy Mothers Day! Hiked the Wild Burro-Upper Javelina-Wild Mustang-Wild Burro-Alamo Springs-Wild Burro Trail today. This is fantastic...

Mark L. Johnson
May 10, 20201 min read


Know Your H2O-Part VI-Groundwater Management Act
Part VI provides the background on Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act (1980) and subsequent groundwater legislation/regulation that...

Mark L. Johnson
May 6, 20209 min read


Marana COVID-19 Financial Impacts
TA attended (virtually) last night's Town Council meeting and paid particular attention to Item D1-Budgets: COVID-19 Impacts. Yiannis...

Mark L. Johnson
May 6, 20201 min read


Tortolita Preserve-Healthy & Vibrant
Great Horned Owl Approaching Strong-Arm Saguaro Cactus (TP) Photo by Mark Dobbels Did you see Pima County Health Department's video...

Mark L. Johnson
May 3, 20201 min read


TA Alert-Tortolita Preserve Vandalism
I am saddened to report another case of vandalism at the Tortolita Preserve (TP). The TP barbed wire boundary fence at the northwest...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 29, 20202 min read


Marana Food Bank Needs Help
The Marana Food Bank demand for food has quadrupled due to the coronavirus pandemic. They urgently need our help. Unfortunately, they...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 26, 20201 min read


Know Your H2O-Part V-Groundwater Recharge
Part V provides the background on groundwater recharge (replenishment)---both natural and artificial. A good understanding of groundwater...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 24, 20203 min read


Know Your H2O-Part IV-Arizona Water Law
Part IV provides the background on water law in the United States (US) and more specifically in Arizona (AZ). Many common water resource...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 20, 20203 min read


Cactus Time!
Saw the first and only (so far) saguaro cactus flower bloom today on the Upper Javelina Trail. Maybe this is the signal that the...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 19, 20201 min read


TA Alert! Town Of Marana-2 Items
Today the Tortolita Alliance (TA) provided letters to the Town of Marana (Marana) in advance of the April 21 Town Council Meeting...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 17, 20201 min read


The Birds & The Bees & The Flowers & The Trees
We hope everyone is safe and healthy. The Tortolita Preserve is teeming with birds, some wildflowers are still blooming and the cactus...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 13, 20201 min read


Know Your H2O-Part III-Water Resources
Part III reviews the sources of water available for potable water and irrigation water. Many common water resource terms will be...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 10, 20204 min read


Tortolita Alliance Strategic Plan
The first General Meeting of the Tortolita Alliance (TA) was held on 1/31/20. Approximately 60 TA supporters were in attendance. A key...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 8, 20201 min read


TA Tidbits #4
Critters Some of our local critters are appearing with the warmer temperatures. See photo of Gila Monster taken by Sally Schuler on the...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 4, 20201 min read


Know Your H2O-Part II-Water Lingo
Unfortunately, the water industry has utilized a variety of different terms, acronyms, units and descriptions over the last 170 years. ...

Mark L. Johnson
Apr 2, 20201 min read


Flower Power Re-Run
Shirley and I hiked the Tortolita Preserve Trail this morning and the first phase of wildflowers is passing but there are lots of buds on...

Mark L. Johnson
Mar 29, 20201 min read


Know Your H2O-Part I
One Tortolita Alliance (TA) goal for 2020 is to learn more about the water supply situation in the Tucson region, especially the Town of...

Mark L. Johnson
Mar 28, 20201 min read


Pygmy-Owl Update
One of Tortolita Alliance (TA) goals for 2020 is to determine the endangered species listing status for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl...

Mark L. Johnson
Mar 23, 20203 min read


Tortolita Splendor
We hope you and your family are feeling well during these unprecedented times. Hopefully you have been able to get out and enjoy the...

Mark L. Johnson
Mar 22, 20201 min read


Hike Relief
Panorama From Alamo Springs We hope you and your family are feeling well amidst this unprecedented coronavirus outbreak. The cancellation...

Mark L. Johnson
Mar 15, 20201 min read
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