The non-profit organization based in Phoenix would like to get involved with the community for nature

This article is part of a series highlighting the work of the Arizona Republic’s Season for Sharing and A Community Thrives grant recipients.

Prior to the construction of the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in 2009, the site was a landfill and gravel quarry.

Today it is the gateway to the 600 acre Rio Salado restoration project and a place for nature lovers to meet for conservation projects, recreation, community activities, educational programs and of course, bird watching of more than 220 species.

More than 18,500 people visited the nature center south of downtown Phoenix last year.

In the future, the new director Genaro Ruiz wants it to be an even more important place for community development with a focus on nature conservation. Audubon Southwest used a $ 7,000 2020 A Community Thrives grant to work on a future vision for the center.

“The center contributes to the quality of life and sustainability of low and middle income communities,” said Ruiz.

The construction of a light rail station with bird motifs near the center is a good opportunity to get more visitors interested in nature conservation, he said.

Ruiz answered some questions about the past and future of the nature center.

Mission: Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.

Origin: The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 and the Audubon Arizona State Bureau was founded in 2002. In July 2020, Audubon Arizona and Audubon New Mexico merged to become Audubon Southwest. The South Phoenix Nature Center was built in 2009.

How did you spend your Community Thrives Scholarship? The grant was used to reach community leaders and nature organizations and to find collaborative programs to get involved in. The aim is to deepen relationships with the surrounding communities and to connect the residents with local natural areas such as the Rio Salado biotope restoration area.

What are your company’s greatest needs? More social engagement, engagement and support for educational programs. Educational programs include K-12 nature education, teacher workshops, and conservation learning projects for all ages. Community engagement will create partnerships and include leadership development of young and young adults through employment, scholarships and internships.

What is the future vision for your company? To become an active center of community activity and a catalyst for community participation in nature and conservation.

What do you think people need to know about your organization? Audubon Southwest motivates people to improve the local ecology because where birds thrive, people thrive. We train and engage the public in environmental stewardship based on the needs of birds.

Community building around nature conservation takes place when people experience nature in their neighborhood and get involved in community science, advocacy, education and nature conservation on site.

A community thrives on the joy of birds and the beauty of nature. The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center is uniquely positioned to integrate nature into community life.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center is located at 3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. az.audubon.org, (602) 468-6470. Follow the center on Instagram @audubonsouthwest, on Facebook at facebook.com/audubonAZ or on Twitter at @audubonaz.

Reach the reporter at 480-253-8584 or [email protected].