We’re A Grassroots Nonprofit in Patagonia, AZ Committed to Protecting Our Mountains, Watershed, and Wildlife
Learn more about our mission, our projects, and what you can do to get involved.
Trailer. Sponsored by Patagonia Area Resources Alliance. This “Sky Island” region hosts world-class biodiversity, containing more species than any comparable area in the U.S. The Patagonia Mountains and Sonoita Creek lie in the heart of the Madrean Sky Islands supporting a dazzling array of native flora and fauna. Discover the rich ecology and inherent beauty of these key wild areas including new threats to their valuable natural resources. Will generations to come have these natural treasures to enjoy or will they be carelessly squandered?
Filmmaker Michele Gisser is a resident in the Red Rock Acres community that is going to be profoundly impacted if South32 constructs its Cross Creek Connector exit route. This 30 minute film weaves together that concern, the developing possibility of a restoration economy as a result of Borderlands Restoration Network work, and Patagonia Area Resource Alliance’s work to protect the water and wildlife of the Patagonia Mountains and the Sonoita Creek Watershed from 21st century industrialized mining.
About Patagonia Area Resource Alliance
Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) is a grassroots, community-driven nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Patagonia Mountains and the Sonoita Creek Watershed from the impacts of 21st century industrialized mining. Funded in 2011 by six Patagonia residents, PARA is a citizen watchdog organization that monitors the activities of both exploratory and mining companies and government (State and Federal) agencies. There is a 100 year (1860-1960) history of industrial mining in the Patagonia Mountains. With advanced mining capability to access the deeper mineral deposits, companies have renewed interest in resource extraction. From 2011 through mid-2018, the activity was exploratory development. The Board work during the early years was to educate the public about the environmental threats and to file comments with agencies when permits were requested by the exploratory companies. In mid-2018, one project was sold by an exploratory company to a mining company which is intent on moving into ore production. In mid-2021, that mining company applied for necessary State permits to begin mining. Because the project intends to reach the minerals from patented (private) land, there are no federal requirements to access the target mineral resources located under Federal public lands where there are unpatented claims filed by the company. Under the 1872 mining law, the government would sell unpatented claims for $5 an acre which concerted those public lands to patented (private) land.
PARA recognizes that the health and prosperity of Patagonia are tied to the well-being of two areas of interest: the Patagonia Mountains and the Harshaw/Sonoita Creek watershed. These two things are the source of our water, clean air, biodiversity, and overall wealth of nature and resources, and their continued protection helps drive Patagonia’s economy.
In the News
CALL TO ACTION! OPPOSE HR2925. If this bill were a law in the 1900's Grand Canyon National Park would not exist as it is today.
THE MINING REGULATORY CLARITY ACT: THE LARGEST HANDOUT TO THE MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1872
The Mining Regulatory Clarity Act represents an unprecedented giveaway of America’s cherished public lands to mining corporations, upending and reversing over a hundred years of public land law precedent. Under the bill, anyone—for a nominal fee—gains absolute rights to occupy land in perpetui...
Save The Date. Come demonstrate your support for unrestricted migration of endangered Jaguars, wildlife and plants across the U.S. Mexico border.
CNRS in #PatagoniaAZ & interviewed our own Carolyn Shafer. 🤩 #birdsounds #Soundscapes #WaterIsLife
The American Wild West, and especially Arizona, is not just cactuses, mountains and golden plains. Its dramatic landscapes are also audible. Anne Sourdril, a CNRS anthropologist, and her ecologist colleague Luc Barbaro have recorded the sounds of this ecosystem, so different from that in France.
Rio Tinto's Madagascar mine promised prosperity, instead it tainted a community. ☹️
Rio Tinto’s Madagascar Mine Promised Prosperity. It Tainted a Community.
Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian mining company, is facing legal claims that it contaminated lakes with harmful levels of uranium and lead.