Grandmother Cottonwood Vigil

Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center welcomes anyone to be present with the Grandmother Cottonwoods. We are actively working for CBP/DHS to speak with the landowners and reconsider plans for a double wall through Lochiel resulting in the demise of over 250 yr old Grandmother Cottonwoods and cultural sites.

Lochiel, Arizona • La Noria, Sonora, Mexico • GPS: 31°19′59.2″ N, 110° 37’11.3”W (map link: https://bit.ly/may16az)

“Cottonwood forests are amongst the most endangered and important vegetative communities in North America. These trees greatly benefit human and wild communities alike. Yet, some of the oldest trees will be cut down fallaciously for the border wall. This arboricide is absolutely senseless”, explained Dr. Aletris Neils.

June 23, 2026, beneath the Grandmother that stands alone, east of Lochiel, I drummed a heartbeat rhythm. The destructors wanted me to move, but I told them I was going to stay. The machines rumbled past heading further west to begin ripping out the old fence near the customs house. I stayed parked within the easement, under Grandmother, drumming daily until June 26. They did not return.

June 25, 2026, Fisher, Sand and Gravel contractors and Tucson CBP/DHS representatives, met with Erick Meza, Sierra Club Borderlands Coordinator, sharing double wall is planned for Lochiel, AZ, dooming the grassland ecosystem anchored by ancient (over 200 yr old) Cottonwood grove, and impacting Lochiel’s historic cemetery and customs house.

Calling all compassionate, caring, fierce humans to stand tall and be present for the Grandmother Cottonwoods. Stay tuned to the drumbeat at @rally.forthevalley.
Bring your prayers, poetry, drums and creative spirit for the feathered, furred, scaled, and the seen and unseen families, human and animal that call these cottonwoods home.

Contact:
Kate Scott, (520) – 975-8107, madreanwildlife@gmail.com

Erick Meza, (520)-954-7603, erick.meza@sierraclub.org (para español)