The Trump administration has made his border wall a top priority and now construction has begun in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This UNESCO biosphere reserve is the only place in the United States where the organ pipe cactus grows wild and is home to the threatened wildlife such as the ferruginous pigmy owl, Sonoran pronghorn and desert pupfish.


The monument is also important land for members of the Tohono O’odam Nation who harvest saguaro fruit and perform their sacred salt ceremony in and around Organ Pipe.


The damage from wall construction to fragile lands, imperiled wildlife and borderland communities is devastating and irreversible.


Supporters of Organ Pipe and those who oppose a border wall slashing through this precious and sacred land are taking a stand.


What: Rally to stop border wall funding and construction to save the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.


Who: Defenders of Wildlife staff Erica Prather (National Outreach Representative, based in Tucson) and Deanna Noël (Director of National Outreach) will be in attendance and available to speak with media. 


When: Saturday, November 9, 12 p.m. MST


Where: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Visitor Center, 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321.


For more information or to schedule a media interviews with Defenders staff, contact Rebecca Bullis (202-772-0295, rbullis@defenders.org). 

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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