Who We Are
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About
Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) is a grassroots, community-driven nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of local mountains, wildlife, and watersheds in and around Patagonia, AZ. Founded in 2011 by six Patagonia locals, we are a citizen watchdog organization and monitor the activities of mining companies and local government agencies to ensure any actions taken in Patagonia ultimately benefit our public lands, our water, our wildlife, and our town.
Outside of protecting our water and wildlife, PARA also engages with many local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits. We support the Town of Patagonia’s events and visitors! Those joining us from out of town are encouraged to check out the Patagonia Visitor’s Center for up-to-date information about Patagonia’s rich history, ecosystems, nature, and people.
Our Board of Directors
Robert Proctor, PARA Board Member, is a descendant of a Pimeria Alta Pioneer family. He was a masonry contractor for 40 years specializing in energy efficient masonry residential construction. Robert is a member of the Town of Patagonia Flood & Flow Committee and President of Friends of Sonoita Creek. Protecting the water of this community is Robert’s #1 reason to be actively involved.
Laurie Cantillo, PARA Board Member, is a journalist, author, and communications strategist. Growing up in Colorado, she fell in love with the outdoors and is an avid hiker, naturalist, and birdwatcher. Majoring in broadcast journalism at CU-Boulder, Laurie was a reporter and program director for legendary radio stations such as WABC in New York, WTOP in Washington, D.C., and Oprah’s satellite radio channel, Oprah & Friends. A mother of four, Laurie also is the co-author of Simon & Schuster’s “Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World.” In 2015, she joined NASA, where she led communications for the Pluto flyby and was first to spot Pluto’s iconic “heart.” Today she lives in Tucson and works as a digital strategist for NASA JPL. Laurie fell in love with Patagonia in 1998, and is inspired to volunteer for PARA to protect the beauty and biodiversity of the region.
Board Support Team
Cynie Murray, Bookeeper
Stay Informed
We formed Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) in 2011 as a response to renewed mining interest in the Patagonia Mountains. Since then, we’ve made it our mission to:
1) educate and engage the community of Patagonia about the risks and realities of mining;
2) better understand local imperiled resources such as our water and wildlife; and 4) actively advocate for the protection of those resources, including Patagonia’s distinct and serene rural way of life.
To stay current on our activities, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter (see below). PARA’s newsletters are sent by email once or twice a month.