As previously reported in TP North Trailhead Improvements (5/30/25) , TRICO and Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (PCRWRD) constructed Improvements at the Tortolita Preserve (TP) North Trailhead (Brittlebush Drive) in May 2025 that included a new utility easement access gate, barbed wire fence repair, and filling and regrading erosion gullies. The Improvements held up well during this year's monsoon events, but there was some displacement of rip rap, es

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...

2025 Monsoon Stats It's official, the 2025 Monsoon (June 15-September 30) total precipitation was 2.82 inches, which is the 12th driest...

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

Pedestrian Trail Crosswalk West of Roundabout Arizona Revised Statutues 28-792 (Right-of-Way at Crosswalk) requires motor vehicles to...

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...

TA members occasionally ask about the Tortolita Preserve Direction & Yield Protocol for cyclists, hikers/trail runners and equestrian. ...

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

Tortolita Alliance (TA) Board met with Marana Parks & Recreation (MPR) leaders on 4/30/25 to review and discuss implementation of TA's...

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

Friends of Ironwood Forest (FOIF) are having a celebration for the 25th anniversary of the Ironwood Forest National Monument on March 22...

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...

Hiked the Wild Mustang Trail on 12/1/24. Started early to catch the sunrise up in the mountains. A fantastic and gorgeous hike with...

Tortolita Alliance (TA) held its General Meeting on 11/12/24 at the Ritz Carlton-Dove Mountain-Golf Club at Dove Mountain Clubhouse. A...

This serves as an update to our 7/3/24 blog entitled TA Alert!-Aerial Recon For Minerals . It has taken some time but I finally figured...

On April 17, 2024, Tortolita Alliance (TA) filed a Public Records Request (P RR) with the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) for "all...

I met with Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TRICO) staff at the Dove Mountain West Park regarding the Adonis Feeder Transmission Line...

On April 17, 2024, Tortolita Alliance (TA) filed a Public Records Request (P RR) with the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) for "all...

Tortolita Alliance (TA) received photos from TA members of a new electric transmission line currently being constructed across the...

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

Tortolita Alliance (TA) will be holding a General Meeting of the organization on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at...

Tortolita Alliance (TA) was invited and attended the first meeting of the Tucson Wildlife Partnership on 8/21/22 in Tucson. This...

Monsoon Brewing-Wild Burro Canyon (6/23/24) Dove Mountain Pedestrian Trail Maintenance Tortolita Alliance (TA) contacted the Dove...

Tortolita Preserve-SW Panorama (7/28/24) Hiked the Tortolita Preserve (TP) Big Loop (7 miles) very early this morning (83 degrees-48%...

The beauty of the Tortolita Preserve and Tortolita Mountains is enhanced each spring and early summer with the bloom of many different...

Pedestrian Trail (Dove Mountain Blvd at Boulder Bridge Pass) Exposed Irrigation Lines TA contacted the Dove Mountain Civic Group and the...

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 Strategic Concepts-Trail System Expansion & Connections Map In early April, the Tortolita Alliance (TA) Board met with...

Legacy Barbed Wire Fence [The Problem] Barbed wire fence was installed throughout the Sonoran Desert over many years to identify property...

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

The Marana Town Council held its annual retreat (2/14-16/2024) in Chandler, AZ---75 miles away from the citizens of Marana!! There is no...

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...

Baby Strong-Arm II Today's Valentine's Day Saguaro Planting Event at the Tortolita Preserve was a huge success. This event was sponsored...

The Beginning The Tortolita Alliance (TA) was formed four years ago in response to efforts by the Town of Marana (Marana) and the Arizona...

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...

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...

The Tortolita Alliance (TA) Strategic Plan (2020) included a strategic goal to collaborate with other groups/agencies/public to conduct a...

Tortolita Preserve-After The Monsoon (8/27/23) Hiked the Tortolita Preserve (TP) Main Loop (7 miles) this early this morning. Reports of...

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

Tortolita Preserve-Snow Bound (3/2/23) Only 143 days ago we had 4 inches of snow in our Sonoran Desert and now the daily temperatures...

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...

Tortolita Summer The summer solstice is 10 days nigh, And the temps are getting kinda high. But the early morning you can’t dislike, A...

Hiked the Upper Javelina Trail early this morning. First time on the new section near Boulder Canyon Pass (see photos in collage). The...

The water situation in the West has improved but it is only one year in a 24-year period whereby the Colorado River reservoir system has...

Dave DeGroot-Grand Canyon One of the great benefits of the Tortolita Alliance (TA) is meeting and working with wonderfully talented...