Land Acknowledgement of

Maricopa County

Our Chapter of the Arizona Master Naturalists resides on the colonized land of indigenous peoples

This land and its resources were successfully stewarded by indigenous groups for thousands of years, and the descendants of these groups still live on and steward this land. The land that is now called Arizona is the ancestral home of twenty-two federally recognized native nations: the land that our chapter does most of its work on is the ancestral homeland of several of these groups, including the Tohono O’odham, the Akimel O’odham, the Pee Posh, and the Yavapaiv Apache.

The area in which we do our naturalist work would not be habitable without the canal systems built to utilize the resources of the Salt and Gila rivers, and we acknowledge the generations of mathematicians, architects, artists, and agricultural experts who, prior to colonization, built the irrigation systems that made our presence here possible.

Become a MCP Master Naturalist

Enroll for our next Cohort and learn from leading experts about our desert ecosystem to use what you’ve learned to protect, care for and teach others. You will learn how to interpret what you’ve learned in order to develop relationships with local partners and lead projects that will benefit the environment and the community at large.

Be a Partner & Plan a Proejct

Our partners include a variety of groups, businesses, organizations and government agencies that support, protect and maintain our desert ecosystem. By partnering with MCPMN you will have access to our community leaders who can help you develop, promote and facilitate your give-back projects and campaigns.

Donate Your Time, Money or Knowledge

There are lots of ways to support the MCPMN without having to become one. Most of our volunteer projects are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate in community science! We also love any relevent subject-matter experts who are willing to share their wisdom with our cohorts. Of course, monitary donations are also appreciated.

I have learned so much about my local environment and ecology through this course. I am so grateful for the opportunity to use what I’ve learned to benefit my community.

Mariah Maynard – Cohort 3

I love all of the amazing partners and project we are able to work with. Being able to lead such a wonderful group of people while learning and caring for the natural world has been really awesome.

Kathy Balman – Cohort 1