Taking Climate Action in Arizona

Voices From the West

Many western Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations, currently and historically, have been excluded from energy planning and infrastructure development decisions. As many western states are embarking on ambitious efforts to transition to cleaner forms of energy and build greater climate resilience it is essential to engage Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations in meaningful inclusive planning processes early.

Safeguard Clean Energy Investments – for jobs, the economy and all Arizonans

April 30, 2025

A guest opinion in the Arizona Capitol Times, authored by TNC Arizona State Director Daniel Stellar and Local First Arizona CEO Kimber Lanning, highlights the transformative impact of the IRA Clean Energy Tax Credits in helping fuel the Arizona economy and make the state healthier and more sustainable.

Arizona Capitol Times Morning Scoop: Clean-energy investments in Arizona fueling environmental sustainability and economic development

October 11th, 2024

For the second time, The Nature Conservancy in Arizona State Director Dan Stellar joined Maren Mahoney, Director of the Governor’s Office of Resiliency, and Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council to discuss historic investments that boost our economy and benefit our communities. Their conversation was moderated by Steve Goldstein.

We are at the forefront of redefining the energy system and working across state lines for the Western landscape. Collaboration across sectors, including transportation, agriculture, electricity and industry reflects a common goal.

The scale of investment and opportunity is truly unprecedented. The Nature Conservancy has committed to ambitious goals to achieve climate targets. We need to act now and recognize we cannot do it alone. Conversations like this help to define our future.

In the global race for critical minerals, Arizona can lead the way responsibly

July 31st, 2023

This recent op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times by our State Director, Daniel Stellar, discusses how Arizona can lead the way, responsibly, in the global race for critical minerals.

The Nature Conservancy is focused on two overarching conservation goals—mitigating climate change and combatting biodiversity loss. We recognize that the pathway to achieving a net-zero economy will require expanded extraction of critical minerals and new industrial facilities. Securing these rare-earth elements, which are the building blocks to clean energy technologies, has started a global race.

Arizona, widely viewed as a rising U.S. supply chain hub, is at the center of this new economy, as we are home to major EV manufacturing facilities, battery manufacturing and recycling, mineral processing facilities, solar and cleantech companies. Arizona also has sensitive waters, lands and natural assets to be protected, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity to set an example of how to do it right.

TNC Arizona is producing maps that highlight areas to avoid in order to minimize biodiversity impacts and is working with stakeholders on guidelines and best practices. It’s our hope that we can continue to collaborate effectively with the many partners needed to achieve our collective goals.

Arizona Capitol Times Morning Scoop “Arizona’s Roadmap to Clean Energy"

July 11, 2023

The Nature Conservancy in Arizona State Director Dan Stellar, recently sat down with Arizona Office of Resiliency Director Maren Mahoney and Arizona Technology Council CEO Steven Zylstra for a discussion on Arizona’s roadmap to clean energy. TNC has done a lot of research on how best to advance efficiencies and inclusiveness in the transition to clean energy—with our expertise in nature-based solutions. While Arizona has made great strides, now is the time to do even more. It will take partners from all sectors working together towards durable solutions to help us achieve a net-zero emissions economy.