La Cienega Project
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Welcome to La Cienega Project.

Most folks would believe that a National Monument set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert would be home to endangered species. Most folks would have to think twice, if we told them that one of those species, is a fish. Yes, a fish.

The Quitobaquito pupfish (Cyprinodon eremus) is a small fish that is only found in Quitobaquito springs in the southwest corner of the monument and a small river drainage in Mexico directly south of the international border. Because the population naturally exists in only one location within the United States, it was recommended to the managers at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, that we should build a second habitat and set it aside as a refugium for this endangered species.

This habitat affectionately has been called, "La Cienega" which is Spanish for desert oasis. The work of designing and building this important tool for resource managers has been turned over to students.

By clicking on the links to the left, you can find resource information for student use and eventually background information for teachers. This site is very much "under construction" so we apologize for any messes you might find. Anyone interested in the progress of the project should stay tuned and check back to see what will happen next on our "What's happening?" page.

We are all excited to see for ourselves, what will happen next when local students partner with resource managers, all for the benefit of desert fish.

This project is supported by the National Park Foundation and Earth Friends.