Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill

115 N. Church Avenue,Tucson AZ 85701

19 November, 2021

Description

A unique project that combines culture, science and community to build resiliency in arid lands through science-based solutions. A unique combination of culture, science, and community, Tumamoc Hill is an 860-acre ecological preserve in the heart of Tucson, home to the Desert Laboratory since 1903. The Hill's name derives from the Tohono O'odham place-name Chemamagi Du’ag—Horned Lizard Mountain— which signifies the profound cultural importance of this site. A 2,500-year-old village sits atop Tumamoc Hill and the entire preserve is a rich cultural landscape reflecting four millennia of significance to the communities that have known the hill. Accordingly, Tumamoc Hill is a US National Historical Landmark, the highest designation by the United States government for a site with outstanding historical significance. Benjamin T. Wilder, PhD, is the Director of the Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. His research is broadly focused in desert ecology and botany, using multiple approaches and time scales to establish baselines to better understand modern biodiversity and connect science to conservation. Wilder received his PhD in 2014 from the University of California, Riverside under the guidance of Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra for dissertation research, "Historical Biogeography of the Midriff Islands, Gulf of California." From 2014–2015, he was a Visiting Scholar in the lab of Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo at Stanford University focusing on ecological education for indigenous communities. The Pima County Historic Courthouse is among Tucson’s most beloved landmarks. Designed by architect Roy Place, this iconic Spanish Colonial Revival-styled structure was built in 1929 and remained in service for an 86-year span during which time it served as the backdrop for numerous wedding proceedings and became home to several County departments.