Local Environment

Tour the Tucson area's rich ecological diversity.  Within a 60
mile radius of Tucson is the greatest variety of flora and fauna in the
contiguous United States, due to variations in elevation, and in having
both a winter and summer rainy season.  We are surrounded by 4 dramatic
mountain ranges, and within 30 miles of downtown Tucson you can be in
either Sonoran desert, ranges of saguaro cactus, ironwood bosques, or
ponderosa pine and oak forest.  

If you get outside the city at night, the stars are fantastic.  We have
two observatories within 80 miles. One of our local Green leaders is an
astronomer.

On the southern reaches of the city is the beginning of the second
largest (in territory) native American nation, the Tohono Odom (formerly
called the Papago.)  The Tohono O'odham nation is both in the US and in
Mexico. [The largest is the two state nation of the Dine (Navajo), which
is primarily in our state --Arizona-- but also in New Mexico.  This
nation is about a 600 mile drive, in the NE corner of the state, so is
not a side trip unless you plan significant time, and rent or bring a
car.  Arizona is home to 23 native American nations.  

The other nation local to Tucson are the Yaqui nation, who came to
Arizona from Mexico during late territorial times, and only received
recognition in the 60's.  

We are 60 miles from La Frontera, the border with Mexico.  People who
come early, or stay late, can fit in a day trip.  You can go as a
tourist, or we can try to fit you in with Borderlinks, and really learn
something about what life is like along the border.  Either way, when you
cross the border, if you walk one block to the right, just after you step
into Mexico, you see The Wall.   There are white crosses painted on it,
and warnings, and someone has written the message that a border can be
either a barrier or a bridge...