In Order to Care, You Need to Know What's There

The Sonoran Desert Network includes 11 National Park Service units of the Sonoran Desert and southwestern sky islands. In those parks, our ecologists collect information on plants, water, air, birds, and climate. Back at the office, they analyze the data and share the results with park managers.

Knowing which key resources are found in their parks, and whether those resources are stable or changing, can help park managers to make sound decisions about the future. Through our work, we help develop a stronger scientific basis for stewardship and management of natural resources across the National Park System. In this way, we help to ensure that our national natural treasures are conserved, unimpaired, for future generations.

Saguaro cacti at Saguaro National Park
Our Parks

We monitor key natural resources at 11 national park units in southern Arizona and New Mexico.

Setting up a vegetation monitoring transect
Our Science

Our ecologists use a variety of methods to inventory and monitor vegetation, water, climate, and certain mammals.

Desert Research Learning Center building and artificial stream
Desert Research Learning Center

The Desert Research Learning Center promotes the scientific understanding, protection, and conservation of Sonoran Desert Network parks.

Last updated: September 9, 2019