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). 

Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.

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