The bill that cleared the House last week calls for expanding Saguaro National Park and increasing protection for the unique Sonoran Desert habitat of the greater Tucson area in Arizona, an effort U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Arizona, has championed since 2007.

Under the terms of the bill, the Interior Secretary is authorized to acquire approximately 1,232 total acres of land to include in the park. The bill also directs the National Park Service to study future opportunities for expansion with a focus on land with high natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic values.

“Expanding and protecting Saguaro National Park is a no brainer in southern Arizona because this park is our backyard,” Grijalva said. “This expansion will benefit both people and nature by increasing parkland in our community, improving wildlife habitats and connecting recreational trails in the area. Saguaro is already a popular destination for Arizonans and visitors from all over, and this is an exciting opportunity to permanently protect open space and provide more recreational opportunities."

Kevin Dahl, the Arizona program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, spoke in favor of the expansion back in July during an appearance before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, National Forests, and Public Lands.

"As part of the effort to further protect this landscape, all landowners in this expansion package have been contacted about this effort, and none have expressed opposition," Dahl testified. "One landowner is a world-traveling professional outdoor photographer who has managed his property as a wildlife sanctuary hoping someday it would be included in the park. Another is a native Arizonan who has always known that the piece of land he owns has outstanding natural resource values and belongs in the park."

Dahl added that lands proposed for acquisition include riparian forest and "superb wildlife habitat."

"This is the only riparian hardwood woodland in the park and is home to such rare species as gray hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, giant spotted whiptail lizard, and lowland leopard frog," he said. 

The acquisitions also would enhance recreational opportunities by expanding the park's trail network, said Dahl.

The NPCA staffer said Friday that while the congressional session has few days left this year, the Saguaro bill "could be included in a public lands omnibus before the Congress is done. If it isn’t, we will introduce it again next year."

Saguaro National Park is home to such iconic Southwestern species as the saguaro cactus, desert tortoise, and coyote. The park received more than 1 million visitors in 2019, the largest number the site has received since it first received federal protection 87 years ago.

The parcels identified for inclusion in the park would protect biodiverse riparian areas, wildlife habitat, scenic views, and archaeological sites and create an important linkage between Saguaro National Park and Pima County’s Sweetwater Preserve. The parcels in question were identified for inclusion in the park because of their high conservation value, the immediate threat of sale, and significant local support.