Arizona’s natural resources are central to the state’s long-term environmental health, economic stability, and quality of life, and Audubon Southwest is urging lawmakers to prioritize funding for lands and waters in the next state budget cycle from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The organization emphasizes that as Arizona faces increasing water scarcity and environmental stress, investment in conservation, water efficiency, and ecosystem restoration is essential to securing a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.
A key recommendation is a $30 million investment in the Colorado River Protection Fund to support urgent water conservation efforts, strengthen Lake Mead levels, and improve in-state water security through forest and watershed restoration projects. The proposal highlights the need to respond quickly to declining water conditions in the Colorado River Basin while also supporting long-term water resilience. It also calls for continued funding of existing successful programs such as water infrastructure financing, conservation grants, invasive plant removal, forest health initiatives, and irrigation efficiency efforts, all of which help improve water sustainability across Arizona communities.
The proposal also stresses the importance of maintaining strong funding for critical state agencies responsible for water management and environmental protection. This includes sustaining funding for the Arizona Department of Water Resources, which manages water supply planning and new regulatory areas, and allocating $9.5 million to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to support programs that protect surface water, groundwater, and drinking water quality across the state.
In addition to water-focused initiatives, Audubon Southwest highlights the need to conserve and restore natural landscapes. This includes $3 million for habitat restoration along the Lower Gila River to reduce wildfire and flood risks, $100,000 to support maintenance of the 800-mile Arizona Trail, and $1 million for the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund to preserve the state’s natural, cultural, and historical sites. These investments are aimed at protecting biodiversity, improving outdoor recreation, and strengthening ecosystem resilience.
Overall, the recommendations underscore that protecting Arizona’s lands and waters is essential for sustaining communities, wildlife, and future generations, and call on state leaders to ensure these priorities are reflected in the upcoming budget.
