One of the foundation's important functions is earmarking donations for a specific park or program and routing them according to the donor's request. These requests can be as diverse as installing benches in a park, purchasing new playground equipment, or providing free swim lessons for families in need.
Current Projects
THE CHUCK HUCKELBERRY LOOP
Earmark your gift to the Parklands Foundation for The Loop! Your donations can help fund additional amenities for our 131-mile shared-use path such as benches, shade structures, or additional water stations. Businesses might consider funding construction of connections from their parking lots right to The Loop! We’re also launching a “Loop Buddy” program that will enable us to train volunteers to ride and walk The Loop, offering tips and information on usage, conduct and wayfinding.
Celebrating 25 Years of the SDCP
The award-winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) is celebrating its 25 th anniversary in 2026. As Pima County’s landmark plan for balancing the conservation and protection of cultural heritage and natural resources with efforts to maintain an economically viable and fiscally responsible community, the SDCP considers the following elements: critical habitats and biological corridors, riparian areas, mountain parks, historical and cultural preservation, and ranch conservation, combined with robust community education and engagement efforts to ensure continued commitment to a land management plan for Pima County, which is celebrated and emulated internationally. With your support, special events, educational, and stewardship opportunities are planned throughout the year to spotlight how the SDCP continues to protect and celebrate what makes Pima County such a delightful place to live, work, and visit. To learn more and explore the work being done today to carry forward this legacy, visit www.pima.gov/CLR.
To donate, click here.
The award-winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP) is celebrating its 25 th anniversary in 2026. As Pima County’s landmark plan for balancing the conservation and protection of cultural ppheritage and natural resources with efforts to maintain an economically viable and fiscally responsible community, the SDCP considers the following elements: critical habitats and biological corridors, riparian areas, mountain parks, historical and cultural preservation, and ranch conservation, combined with robust community education and engagement efforts to ensure continued commitment to a land management plan for Pima County, which is celebrated and emulated internationally. With your support, special events, educational, and stewardship opportunities are planned throughout the year to spotlight how the SDCP continues to protect and celebrate what makes Pima County such a delightful place to live, work, and visit. To learn more and explore the work being done today to carry forward this legacy, visit www.pima.gov/CLR.
To donate, click here.
MEMORIAL BENCH PROGRAM
Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation (NRPR) partners with Parklands Foundation to give residents and park users the opportunity to purchase and donate a park bench in remembrance of friends and family. For more information go to the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation website, Memorial Program page.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Whether you're new to the area or long-time resident, looking for an indoor nature activity or an outdoor adventure, joining us solo or in a flock, Pima County's Environmental Education Program has something for everyone! Our Outdoor and Wildlife Programs help participants explore parks and trails while getting to know the local flora and fauna. Our Nature Online Series lets learners connect with the Sonoran Desert virtually from anywhere, while our Community Presentations bring Pima County naturalists to speak at meetings and in-person gatherings. Older youth and adults can learn new outdoor skills – from birding to map-reading – in our Workshops, and our School and Youth Programs make science and nature come alive for classes, clubs and other groups of pre-K through twelfth graders. Pima County is a wild place. Explore it with us! Learn more here!
Enviromental Education
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THE PIMA COUNTY NRPR TRAILS PROGRAM
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CLR Trails
The Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources (CLR) Trails Program manages over 150 –
miles of recreational trails and 27 trailheads in Pima County natural resource parks. A key
element to the CLR Trails Program is the substantial volunteer program, which is comprised of
approximately 100 regular individual volunteers who assist with trail construction and
maintenance activities to support CLR’s regional trail system. CLR trail and trailhead facilities
are located throughout eastern Pima County, including the Tucson Mountains, Santa Catalina
Mountains, Oro Valley, Marana, Vail and Green Valley. The CLR Trails Program serves to
provide unique recreational opportunities for all non-motorized trail users such as hikers, trail
runners, mountain bikers and equestrians, as well as improving public health and supporting
the local economy through outdoor recreation industry dollars.
Kelly Ranch Acquisition
Pima County has the opportunity to acquire a 109-acre property surrounded by Catalina State Park known as Kelly Ranch. The property was prioritized for acquisition as part of Pima County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and included in a subsequent County 2004 bond election, but the County and owner were unable to reach agreement. Finally, 21 years later, the owner and County have reached agreement.
