Latest news with #JenniferAllen
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Saguaro National Park will grow by 47 acres. How a private trust is making it happen
Saguaro National Park West will add 47 acres to its protected park lands in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains after an acquisition of two properties by the Trust for Public Land. The addition will strengthen wildlife corridors, preserve Sonoran desert habitat and expand recreational access. The Trust for Public Land, an organization with a mission to create quality parks and protect green spaces, announced the addition to the park on April 25. The new acreage adds to the organization's work protecting over 2,300 acres in and around Saguaro National Park since 1993. The land was purchased with a federal funding source called the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which comes from a portion of the federal government's offshore oil and natural gas revenues that are reinvested into protecting American natural resources. The Trust for Public Land also received financial assistance for project costs from Pima County and the Southern Arizona Hiking Club, a nonprofit volunteer group that promotes outdoor recreation. Saguaro National Park, encompassing about 92,000 acres across two locations, protects ecologically valuable and biodiverse Sonoran desert landscape, including a number of unique desert species like roadrunners, Gila monsters, desert tortoises and the iconic saguaro cactus. The new park land will also bolster the linkage between Saguaro National Park and Pima County's Sweetwater Preserve, an 880-acre park that includes 13 miles of interconnected trails used for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The preserve was created in 2004 through a partnership among Trust for Public Land, Tucson Mountain Association and Pima County. 'I'm beyond pleased to see Saguaro National Park West growing with this new addition of beautiful natural land,' said Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen in a news release. 'Being good stewards of our public lands is one of the core principles of Pima County, as laid out in the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan,' said Allen. 'It's an honor to see our conservation partner, Trust for Public Land, continue and expand that stewardship within our community.' As the park expands, outdoor recreationists may soon be able to explore the new acreage after a public planning process is completed. 'Preserving the wildlife linkages is job one. Any new trail linkages have to go through a public planning process,' said Michael Patrick, senior project manager at Trust for Public Land, 'so everyone will get a chance to say what they want to see out here before the park actually puts it in the trails and opens it up.' John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to Environmental coverage on and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Land trust acquires 47 acres to help Saguaro National Park grow
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kentucky Science Center apologizes after distributing ‘adult' coloring book to kids
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Planned Parenthood coloring book was reportedly distributed at a kids event without consent, prompting an apology from the Kentucky Science Center. In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, KSC said, 'Planned Parenthood provided this material without our consent' and reiterated that it neither reflected the center's policies nor was intended for the event. Kentucky Science Center apologizes after distributing 'adult' coloring book to kids 'Classroom in a Box' is setting EKU graduates up for success Fans celebrate Danville Christian Academy at the team's first Sweet 16 appearance 'We deeply regret the harm this caused. We are taking immediate steps to ensure that all materials distributed at our events are thoroughly reviewed in advance and this partner is no longer welcome at the Science Center,' the science center wrote on Facebook. The Health and Wellness Days event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 21 and March 22, according to the events page. The Louisville FOX affiliate, WDRB, reported that, according to the Planned Parenthood region in Kentucky and Indiana, no coloring books were distributed at the event. 'We want to be clear: the coloring book currently being circulated online was not distributed at the event,' Jennifer Allen, the director of external affairs, said in a written statement, according to WDRB. 'Claims suggesting otherwise are false and appear to be part of a coordinated attempt to stir outrage and manufacture controversy. We remain committed to showing up for Kentucky youth and families with the information they need to lead safe and healthy lives.' Read more of the latest Kentucky news WDRB claimed that Planned Parenthood was among 22 organizations that partnered with the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
