Welcome to issue #55 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter that’s about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.

Well, yesterday’s storm showed up in force. The kind of sudden monsoon downpour that turns your driveway into a temporary river, sends the pets scrambling under the couch, and leaves the air smelling like creosote.

Hope your roof held up and you got to enjoy the light show from a dry spot. If you’re already out there clearing fallen branches or unclogging drainage ditches in the humidity today, I admire the hustle, but take it easy out there. And if you’ve got older neighbors down the street, a quick check-in to make sure their yard and power weathered the storm goes a long way.

In today’s issue, you’ll find this week’s story, pet of the week at the Eastside Pima Animal Care Center location, the weekly event listings, and a NEW GAME! Scroll down while you sip your morning coffee.

~ Kimberly
Publisher of Trail Mix

For many living outside Tucson’s city limits, the Santa Rita Mountains represent the quintessential Southern Arizona lifestyle: expansive mountain views, dark night skies, and quiet rural living. However, a major mining proposal on the horizon has drawn sharp concern from local residents and regional conservation groups.

At the center of the debate is Hudbay Minerals, a foreign mining corporation proposing a large-scale open-pit copper mining operation known as the Copper World project. If approved, the mine would operate directly above nearby residential neighborhoods and growing subdivisions.

Grassroots advocacy organization No Copper World and regional nonprofit Save the Scenic Santa Ritas have voiced opposition to the project, pointing to a range of potential community and environmental impacts:

While mining proponents often emphasize economic growth and resource production, community organizers argue that current proposals fall short on safety and oversight.

"We aren't anti-mining, but we are about protecting this community," representatives from No Copper World stated regarding their mission, demanding stricter operational standards and better environmental controls from the company.

In response to the proposal, residents have launched a proactive data-gathering initiative. Partnering with researchers from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ), and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), local volunteers have formed a citizen science team.

The group is collecting baseline testing data on local air quality, residential well water, and baseline heavy metal exposure levels. According to organizers, establishing this pre-mining dataset will provide objective, scientific benchmarks necessary to hold operators accountable and enforce permit compliance if environmental degradation occurs.

Community Resources and Information

Residents interested in following the development or reviewing local research can access public resources through the participating organizations:

📅 Local Events In the Newsletter Are Back! You asked, I listened! Based on your feedback, I’m moving away from the monthly at-a-glance calendar and returning to weekly neighborhood event listings right here in Trail Mix.

Have an upcoming event, market, or community gathering you want to share with neighbors? Submit your event here to get it on the schedule.

(Looking to highlight your business or make your event stand out with a custom banner image? Hit reply on this email—I’d love to share the local sponsor options with you!)