$100,000 Gives Back funding to help preserve essential native plants and pollinators

PHOENIX (Oct. 16, 2024) —  As part of its ongoing commitment to preserving Arizona’s natural heritage, the Arizona Lottery has partnered with Desert Botanical Garden awarding $100,000 in Gives Back funding to support critical conservation efforts. The funding will benefit two essential conservation programs at the Garden: “Saving Arizona’s Urban Saguaros and other Endangered Plants” and “Protecting Monarch Butterflies and other Native Pollinators.” 

“Desert Botanical Garden is leading the charge in Sonoran Desert conservation and has done so since 1939,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “This partnership is a natural fit for the Lottery’s decades-long commitment to supporting environmental conservation efforts in Arizona and we are proud to support the Garden on these important projects.”

Desert Botanical Garden is a global leader in its research and conservation efforts of desert plants and their habitats. This funding from the Arizona Lottery will help researchers 1) study and address concerns about the declining health of urban saguaros and 2) implement and promote urban planting for pollinators essential to the region’s ecological balance.

“These two projects play a critical role in preserving the delicate balance of Arizona’s natural ecosystem,” said Ken Schutz, The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director of Desert Botanical Garden. “We are incredibly thankful for this generous investment from the Lottery so we can continue this important work.” 

The "Saving Arizona’s Urban Saguaros and Other Endangered Plants" program focuses on the health and survival of saguaros, a symbol of the Southwest that is facing increasing threats due to extreme heat and urban expansion. The program includes a Saguaro Census to monitor and track the health of saguaros in urban areas, with help from the local community and members of all ages. By collecting data on this beloved cactus, scientists can better understand how rising temperatures and urban development are impacting their survival.

In addition to saguaros, this program also supports the protection and restoration of other endangered desert plants, such as the Canelo Hills’ Ladies Tresses Orchid and Pediocactus. The funding will aid in the production of seeds and plants for restoration efforts, ensuring that these vulnerable species have a chance to thrive despite environmental challenges.

The second initiative, "Protecting Monarch Butterflies and Other Native Pollinators," is designed to create and enhance habitats for pollinators that are essential to maintaining ecological balance in the desert. With monarch butterfly populations in decline, Desert Botanical Garden is working to study their behavior, promote urban planting of milkweed (the monarch's primary food source), and engage local communities in hands-on conservation efforts.

This program also includes the Desert Refuge community science initiative, where residents can participate in planting pollinator-friendly habitats and contribute to scientific research. Through school partnerships and public outreach, this project will involve students and volunteers in building sustainable environments that support monarchs, bees, and other pollinators critical to the desert ecosystem.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the Arizona Lottery raised $10 million from ticket sales to fund environmental conservation efforts statewide. The Lottery has funded $454 million worth of conservation efforts since 1993.