/ Modified may 17, 2024 4:22 p.m.

Efforts to expand Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and create the Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson Tellers of Tales, a story from Nooshie Motaref, and a story from Penelope Starr

Santa Cruz River 1 Supporters say a new Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge would enhance the Tucson metropolitan area and beyond. Currently, paths along the river are popular for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Featured on the May 16th 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with guest host Tony Paniagua:

Santa Cruz River 3 Supporters say a new Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge would enhance the Tucson metropolitan area and beyond. Currently, paths along the river are popular for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Mike Quigley Mike Quigley, the Arizona State Director for the Wilderness Society, in the azpm radio studios.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

  • The community of Ajo in western Pima County is also looking to promote its wide-open spaces that can serve as sustainable economic drivers for residents in that remote region. We’ll hear from Aaron Cooper, the executive director of the International Sonoran Desert Alliance. He says Ajo is blessed to have hundreds of thousands acres of pristine desert at its doorstep, waiting to be explored.

Sonoran Pronghorn-Cabeza Prieta The Sonoran pronghorn is one of thousands of animal and plant species that can be found at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Aaron Cooper Aaron Cooper, the executive director of the International Sonoran Desert Alliance, in the azpm radio studios.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

  • Tucson resident and author Dr. Nooshie Motaref, who is also the director of Tucson Tellers of Tales, joins us to provide information about this non-profit organization which was founded in 1979. The group welcomes storytelling, folktales, poetry and music from diverse members of the community in a supportive atmosphere.

  • In addition to speaking about Tellers of Tales, Motaref also shares a personal story that transported her from Asia to Europe, and then, to United States.

Tucson Tellers of Tales 2 Nooshie Motaref, PhD, is an author and former professor in Iran, who discovered Tucson Tellers of Tales after moving to Arizona.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

  • Another organization in Tucson that welcomes members from all segments of the community is Odyssey Storytelling. It was founded by author, artist and resident Penelope Starr 20 years ago, which has her thinking about her past accomplishments and influences. How will she be remembered? Starr shares a story addressing this topic.
Penelope Starr speaking VIEW LARGER Penelope Starr is a Tucson resident, author and workshop facilitator who founded Odyssey Storytelling in 2004.
Penelope Starr
Penelope Starr headshot VIEW LARGER Penelope Starr is a Tucson resident, author and workshop facilitator who founded Odyssey Storytelling in 2004.
Penelope Starr

Santa Cruz River 5 Supporters say a new Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge would enhance the Tucson metropolitan area and beyond. Currently, paths along the river are popular for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Santa Cruz River 4 Supporters say a new Santa Cruz River Urban National Wildlife Refuge would enhance the Tucson metropolitan area and beyond. Currently, paths along the river are popular for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Web page by Alecia Vasquez.

Arizona Spotlight
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