The majestic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest, is facing an existential crisis. Urban sprawl is encroaching on its habitat, and as cities expand, the saguaro population dwindles. Relocating these cacti is a common but precarious solution; many transplanted saguaros struggle to survive, with many not lasting beyond a few years. The stress of relocation weakens them, making them vulnerable to diseases and other threats.
But the plight of the saguaro doesn’t end there. The desert’s iconic giant is also battling a surge in devastating wildfires. Record-breaking blazes are torching tens of thousands of these towering giants. Compounding the problem is climate change, which has led to night-time temperatures stubbornly staying above 90°F. Initially, it was believed that this was mostly an urban issue, linked to the heat island effect. However, observations from desert enthusiasts and trail maintenance crews reveal a troubling trend: more saguaros are falling than ever before. This increase in fallen cacti is becoming a common sight, highlighting the broader impact of climate change on these resilient yet vulnerable desert sentinels.
The aim of this initiative is to train and mobilize volunteers to assess the health and survival of saguaros and to monitor saguaro plantings in Tonto National Forest (TNF).
Protecting and restoring saguaros is a central goal in the updated TNF Regional Strategic Plan. Although several saguaro restoration projects are currently in progress, the lack of detailed health data hinders efforts to effectively prioritize restoration areas. Additionally, better monitoring data on planted saguaros could enhance strategies for future plantings. Friends of Tonto (FOTNF) is committed to increasing educational outreach and safeguarding saguaros.
To support this effort, FOTNF volunteers have developed a prototype app using ESRI Field Maps to survey saguaro health and survival, and they are seeking additional volunteers to join this project.
Participatory science is an ideal approach for this project for several reasons: 1) it addresses a significant public concern for this crucial species; 2) it offers strong opportunities for meaningful community involvement; and 3) the extensive area requiring survey work necessitates a substantial collective effort to complete.
Much like the Riparian Photopoint project, this initiative offers a fantastic chance to explore new areas at your own pace and schedule. Get your family and friends involved. You’ll get to immerse yourself in the beauty of Tonto National Forest while contributing to a vital cause. Even if you can’t join the fieldwork, don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to get involved and support the project. Just fill out the Saguaro Monitoring Interest form to find out how you can make a difference from wherever you are.
The training schedule is listed in the calendar.
Saguaro Monitoring
| Signup for emails related to this project. | Interest Form |
| Access the slideshow version of the training presentation. | Saguaro Monitoring Field Maps Training Presentation: slideshow |
| Access the YouTube video version of the training presentation. | Saguaro Monitoring Field Maps Training: Video |
| Tips and techniques for using the Field Maps app in the field. | Saguaro Monitoring Field Collection Tips: Video |
| Form for completion of registration and access to login to Field Maps. | Saguaro Monitoring Registration |
| YouTube video with tips on navigating in Field Maps and follow up monitoring. | Field Maps Navigation and Follow Up Monitoring |
| YouTube video using the iPhone Measure app to measure the diameter of saguaros. | Saguaro Monitoring: Measuring diameter with iPhone |
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Friends Of the Tonto National Forest Forms
| Training dates and other details are in the event calendar | Event Calendar |
| Form to record volunteer hours | Timesheet |
| Required form for participating in Friends of the Tonto projects. Annual form for all projects. | Liability Waiver |
| Important reminders of procedures to reduce risks while participating in field projects. | Field Project Safety Analysis |
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Tracking Our Journey
The graph below reveals the quarterly count of majestic Saguaros under observation in the Tonto National Forest.
Interactive map
Check out the new Interactive Map to see the current status. In the legend you can click and choose features to display or remove from the map.
