Pima County names important wildlife corridor after ecologist who identified it: William Shaw

PIMA COUNTY, (March 4, 2026) — One of Pima County’s most significant wildlife areas will soon bear the name of the ecologist who first identified it four decades ago.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on March 3, 2026, to name a wildlife corridor in Avra Valley after William Shaw, an ecologist and professor emeritus of Wildlife and Fisheries Science at the University of Arizona.

The corridor lies between Tucson Mountain Park to the east and Ironwood Forest National Monument to the west. In a 1986 report, Shaw identified the corridor as a valuable area for wildlife, which uses it to move between the two habitats.

He is credited with being the first ecologist to incorporate considerations for wildlife, their habitats, and their movement corridors into local land-use planning in Pima County.

Recognition of the significance of wildlife corridors has affected County policy in numerous ways, including the construction of wildlife crossings such as the Santa Cruz River Wildlife Ramp.

Later, Shaw led the County’s Science Technical Advisory Team during the creation of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP), the award-winning plan that guides the County’s land-use policies, seeking to strike a balance between the need for responsible development and the need to protect natural and cultural resources.

“Dr. Shaw’s contributions to wildlife connectivity planning and as the chair of the Science Technical Advisory Team for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan have been integral to conservation in Pima County,” said Kris Gade, director of Pima County Conservation Lands & Resources (CLR).

There will be an official naming ceremony for the Shaw Wildlife Corridor on Friday, March 6, at 9 a.m., at the Red Hills Visitor Center of Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountains unit, 2700 N. Kinney Road. Board of Supervisors Chair and District 3 Supervisor Jennifer Allen will keynote the event.

The event is free and open to the public, but anyone interested in attending should RSVP by emailing [email protected]. 

The ceremony is part of a yearlong celebration of the SDCP’s 25th anniversary, which includes community events and public programs such as guided hikes, wildlife watching, and volunteer stewardship opportunities.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Multi-Species Conservation Plan, a part of the SDCP that ensures compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act.

“We are honored to be a part of a dedicated community of organizations and individuals who care deeply about the natural and cultural landscapes, the plants, creatures and humans who make their homes throughout the Sonoran Desert,” said Casey Limón-Condit, community engagement coordinator at CLR.

“We look forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the SDCP throughout 2026 through a variety of outings, volunteer stewardship opportunities, and special events like this one.”

Carolyn Campbell, one of the founders of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection and another key player in the development of the SDCP, will be leading a panel discussion called “Celebrating Women Leaders in Conservation” on Saturday, March 7, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road in Green Valley. The event is part of CLR’s 2026 Speaker Series as well as the County’s ongoing celebration of the SDCP.

To learn more about the SDCP and see other upcoming events, visit pima.gov/sdcp25.