1. A Park Scholar Initiative
Tucson Service Trip
A Park Scholar Initiative

2. A Look at Tucson Baboquivari Peak Mt Wrightson
Do we remember why most people travel in the Summer?
Tucson is located 60 mi (97 km) north of the United States - Mexico border.
Tucson averages 11.8 inches (299.7 mm) of precipitation per year, more than most other locations with desert climates, but it still qualifies as desert due to its high evapotranspiration; in other words, it experiences a high net loss of water.[51]
Summer is characterized by daytime temperatures that exceed 100 °F (38 °C) and overnight temperatures between 66 and 85 °F (19 and 29 °C). Early summer is characterized by low humidity and clear skies; mid-summer and late summer are characterized by higher humidity, cloudy skies and frequent rain.
- Source:
There are a couple mountain passes that most people try to navigate: Baboquivari Peak, Mt Wrightson.

3. Down the Barrel

4. Death Map - Data Courtesy of Humane Borders
Subset of the data being collected for the past 37 years.

5. Humane Borders
- Over 3,000 have died in the desert since this is only people who have been recorded
- Humane Borders is an apolitical organization that advocates for the humane treatment of migrants illegally crossing the Us Mexico border
- woke up at 6 am to travel into the desert to refill water barrels
- We were only able to travel as far as the mexican border, however humane borders work continues into mexico
- As you can see here, tall blue flags are used to show migrants that they are near water
- But even these are hard to detect
- Each barrel is padlocked. This is because anti-migrant groups have sabotaged these barrels before -- some even going so far as to poison them
- As you can see, humane borders test the PH of the water, as well as completing a taste test
- They place the saint guadalupe on the top to denote that it is safe
- We helped fill up a few barrels on our morning run. It was obvious that a few have them had been used. This need continues during the summer when AZ can go into the hundreds degree wise

6. The Tohono O’odham Nation
“Desert People”
Second largest reservation in Arizona
US-Mexico Border along the Nation
Border crossings
Increased presence of U.S. Border Patrol
Nation is divided over migrant deaths
“Desert People”
Second largest reservation in Arizona that includes approximately 28,000 members.
US-Mexico Border along the Nation
Illegal border crossings → Issues related to drug-trafficking, violence, and environmental destruction
Increased presence of U.S. Border Patrol & immigration enforcement technology
Alleged Border Patrol harassment and abuse, including the detention and deportation of O’odham members
Divided over migrant deaths
Mike Wilson: Believes the Nation has a moral responsibility to provide water stations for migrants
The Nation’s official policy: Non-intervention

7. In a Tucson Courthouse U.S. District Court - Tucson
Observed initial appearances
Operation Streamline
U.S. District Court - Tucson
Judge Bruce G. MacDougal
Federal criminal court
Different from an immigration court
Observed initial appearances - heard what they were charged with, later court dates were set
As young as 18 years old
Mainly “illegal reentry” federal criminal charges
Operation Streamline
Joint initiative of DoJ and DHS (began in 2005)
Prosecutes unauthorized border crosses under criminal justice system
In contrast to historical policy of “catch and release” or expedited removal (deportation) after formal removal proceedings
Up to 70 people tried at same time

8. Iskashitaa Refugee Network
Creates opportunities to integrate UN refugees into the Southern Arizona community while
Educates the public
Strengthens the local food system
Reduces local food waste
Increase food security
Harvesting & Gleaning:
Weighing, recording, culling, composting, packaging, and redistributing the harvest
Food Preservation Class:
Made BBQ sauce, brownie mix, and marmalade using local food