Tortolita Preserve Horseback Ride-1/7/26 Went on a 2-hour horseback ride in the Tortolita Preserve (TP) last Saturday! I have been wanting to do this for some time, and so glad I did it. My horse was Trisha, and she was fabulous. On this horseback ride, you can really experience the wild, wild west. Just like it was 175 years ago when the pioneers traveled through our beautiful Sonoran Desert. What a treat! The horseback trip was sponsored by the Marana Parks & Recreat

The Tortolita Preserve is experiencing a subtle, micro superbloom right now — one that's easy to miss if you're not paying close attention.  From a distance, the landscape looks like its usual green expanse of desert shrubs and annuals after the good winter rains we’ve had, with no dramatic carpets of color stretching to the horizon. But get down low along the trails, especially from the Moore Road Trailhead heading west to the north-turning corner, and you'll discover blanke

An introduction to dodder, a unique parasitic vine that thrives in the Tortolita Mountains area

Tucson View from Upper Javeline Trail (1/18/26) Hiked the Upper Javelina Trail early this morning to see if any wildflowers have appeared. The wildflower bloom this year should be prolific, as we had normal monsoon rainfall in 2025 and a warm fall/early winter. It's early, so only one wildflower and one nasty grass were observed. Brittlebush has started to bloom: Brittlebush-Upper Javelina Trail (1/18/26) Sadly, Buffelgrass is now appearing along the higher elevations of th

Saguaro Research-Tortolita Preserve Tortolita Alliance (TA) has proposed to conduct a Saguaro Survey/Inventory within the Tortolita Preserve. TA worked with scientists from the Tumamoc Desert Laboratory to develop a preliminary plan, which has been submitted to Marana Parks & Recreation for consideration. We await their response. A Saguaro Survey/Inventory project is an excellent way for our citizen scientists to participate in a very important, long-term saguaro study. Sa

Jim Conroy-Director-Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR)-Photo provided by MPR Jim Conroy Retires Jim Conroy served as Director of the Marana Parks & Recreation Department (MPR) for the last 8 years and retired on 10/10/25. Jim was responsible for several achievements for the Town of Marana, including: (1) Parks & Recreation Master Plan (2020-2030), (2) Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center, (3) numerous park and trail improvements, and more. Tortolita Alliance (TA) worked closely w

Harvest Moon-Tortolita Preserve (10/6/25) Harvest Moon-Tortolita Preserve (10/6/25) Hiked Tortolita Preserve Big Loop (8 miles) early...

Upper Javelina Trail (Top) At Sunrise (9/22/25) Tortolita Trails-Stormwater Damage & Repair The monsoon storms referenced in Water Woes XL...

The Sonoran Desert has some unique cacti that bloom one night per year with the flowers lasting only one day. You have to be on your...

Our precious Sonoran Desert faces yet more challenges. Please consider providing your input on the following matter. Ironwood Forest...

Photos by Joe Thomas Tortolita Preserve-Trail Grooming Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) volunteers were out in the Tortolita...

Baby Strong-Arm Baby Strong-Arm is doing well and has grown about one-inch! This baby saguaro was planted almost one year ago on 1/14/24...

Here are some upcoming events in our area by which you can volunteer, enjoy our Sonoran Desert environment and engage! Marana Parks &...

First Light-Alamo Springs Spur Trail (5/19/24) Hiked the Alamo Springs-Spur-Wild Burro Trail Loop very early this morning. The transition...

Tortolita Preserve (TP)-Mount Lemon View (3/27/24) TP Trail Counter-First Year Results Tortolita Alliance (TA) contributed $500 to Marana...

Upper Javelina Trail (4/7/24) The wildflowers are now abundant in the Tortolitas and it will get even better in the next few weeks as it...

Highlands Lifelong Learning Group Tours Tortolita Preserve With Dave Barker (TA Board Member-back left) Tortolita Alliance (TA) is...

Mountain Lion (Puma)-Tortolita Preserve (3/14/24) Tortolita Preserve Wildlife Cameras On 3/6/24, two new wildlife cameras were set up in...

The Front Tortolita Preserve (1/24/24) TP North Entrance (Brittlebush Drive) Secure Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR) has installed...

Tortolita Preserve (TP)-Western Fence Project-North Section TP Western Fence Project Complete Marana has completed the Western Fence...

Buffelgrass-Brittlebush Drive-Dove Mountain (11/29/23) On a recent hike, my wife (Shirley) and I noticed a patch of buffelgrass on...

Tortolita Preserve (10/28/23) Branch Litter Mulching To Restore Old Cow Path Tortolita Preserve (TP) Projects In The News The TP...

Tortolita Preserve-New Moore Rd. Trailhead Construction (9/30/23) Tortolita Preserve (TP)-Moore Rd Trailhead Construction The...

Mr. Big Stuff Tortolita Preserve (TP) This huge Sonoran Desert Tortoise paid a visit to a property adjacent to TP near Moore Road and...

Shades of Purple (TP-4/23/23) Tortolita Alliance (TA ) has been working with Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR) for the last 3.5 years on...

The following serves to update some important activities at the Tortolita Preserve (TP) and Upper Javelina Trail. TP Spring Bioblitz The...

Tortolita Dawn (TP-9/25/22) Tortolita Alliance (TA ) attended a presentation by Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR) on 2/23/23 at the...

Water Year 2022 Update Tortolita Alliance (TA) attended the Local Drought Impact Group (LDIG) Meeting via Microsoft Team on November 8,...

Tortolita Preserve-Fiery Monsoon Skies Old Growth Sagauro Deaths-Bacterial Infection & Climate Change Strong-arm passed on 8/4/22 and is...

The Mighty Strong-Arm Strong-Arm was host to another Great Horned Owlet this Spring which has now fledged the nest and is hopefully doing...