Skip to content

Newsroom

Spot It, Snap It, Save It: Help Document Arizona’s Wildlife

November 03, 2025 | Arizona

A man is walking in an area with branch, brush and tall trees surrounding.
Spirit Hollow A site that is a part of the Lower San Pedro River Important Bird Area. © Ryan Olinger

Media Contacts

The Nature Conservancy in Arizona (TNC Arizona) and its partners invite you to be a part of its month-long effort to gather data on the biodiversity—all things nature—that live in the San Pedro River watershed, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the American Southwest. During November, nature enthusiasts, families and community members who participate in the San Pedro River BioBlitz will use the iNaturalist app to photograph and identify plants and animals across the region, generating data that scientists will verify and use to inform conservation strategies.

“This is a chance for everyone, from experienced naturalists to children, to connect with nature and help protect it,” said Haylee Short, projects coordinator for TNC Arizona. “The BioBlitz invites communities to explore the outdoors while contributing to science in a meaningful way.”

The San Pedro River and its surrounding areas are home to rare and endangered plants and animals, including the Chiricahua leopard frog, Mexican spotted owl, desert pupfish and even elusive mammals like the jaguar and ocelot. By participating in the BioBlitz, community scientists can help build a clearer picture of where these species live and how they’re faring.

While participants can join the BioBlitz anytime in November and from anywhere in the San Pedro River watershed, TNC and its partners will host a series of guided nature walks, workshops and educational events across the watershed, including:

  • iNaturalist Training Webinar hosted by Pinal County—November 2nd from 4-5 p.m. on Google Meet.
  • Adobe Nature Walk hosted by TNC—November 8th from 9-11 a.m. at 2890 S Pz Ranch Rd, Dudleyville, AZ. 18+ register here.
  • Wildlife Camera Workshop hosted by TNC—November 12th from 9-11 a.m. at TNC's Ramsey Canyon Preserve (27 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615). Register here.
  • Kids Macroinvertebrates Workshop hosted by ADEQ’s AZ Community Science Alliance—November 12th from 1-3 p.m. at TNC's Ramsey Canyon Preserve (27 E Ramsey Canyon Rd, Hereford, AZ 85615). Register here.
  • Middle San Pedro Preserve Bird Walk hosted by Tucson Bird Alliance—November 15th from 8-10 a.m. at TNC's Middle San Pedro Preserve (4212 N Cascabel Rd, Benson, AZ 85602). 18+ register here.
  • Dudleyville Park BioBlitz hosted by Pinal County—November 15th from 9-11 a.m. at 4004 N Dudleyville Road, Dudleyville, AZ 85192. No sign-up; reach out to jasmine.guillen@pinal.gov with questions.
  • Middle San Pedro Preserve Bird Walk for Families hosted by Tucson Bird Alliance—November 15th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at TNC's Middle San Pedro Preserve (4212 N Cascabel Rd, Benson, AZ 85602). Register here.
  • Oracle Community Park BioBlitz hosted by Pinal County—November 15th from 1-3 p.m. at 333 E Nuestro Street, Oracle, AZ 85623. No sign-up; reach out to jasmine.guillen@pinal.gov with questions.
  • Nature Walk with Friends of the San Pedro (FSPR)—November 16th from 8-11 a.m. at the FSPR House (9800 AZ-90, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635). No sign-up; reach out to Robert Weissler at weissler@aves.org with questions.
  • Tiger Mine Trailhead Nature Walk hosted by Pinal County—November 22nd from 9-11 a.m. at Tiger Mine Trailhead (24950 Tiger Mine Rd, Oracle, AZ 85618). Contact jasmine.guillen@pinal.gov to sign up.
  • Kartchner Caverns State Park BioBlitz—November 22nd from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Kartchner Caverns State Park (2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602). Pay at gate.
  • Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve Bird Walk hosted by Audubon SW—November 24th from 9-11 a.m. at TNC's Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve (park at 31.554592 N 110.527145 W). Register here.

To learn more about the BioBlitz, visit nature.org/sanpedrobioblitz.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.

More Stories from Arizona

View of a mountain range on a sunny day with clouds above and green trees and brush in the foreground.

San Pedro River BioBlitz

The San Pedro River BioBlitz is a community-based event where participants record as many plant and animal species as possible within the San Pedro River watershed throughout the month of November.

A green, medium-sized frog sits partially in algae-filled water and partially on a wooden log, which a large fly is sitting upon.

Wildlife Across Arizona

Here are 6 magnificent species that are making a comeback, thanks to TNC’s legacy of safeguarding and restoring vital landscapes.

Water-level view of San Pedro River with trees arching overhead.

San Pedro River

Cross-border collaborations bring lasting results to one of America’s last large undammed rivers.