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We are not alone.
To our friends and supporters,
I could not be more moved by all the calls and messages from friends, colleagues, and supporters over the last three weeks. As you probably have heard, a federal funding freeze was implemented, causing confusion and panic across the non-profit sector. There is still uncertainty around the details of the freeze, but we, like many, are caught up in its immediate effects, as our funding is currently paused.
Borderlands Restoration Network depends on federal grants and contracts to do critical conservation, education, and restoration work across Southern Arizona. Suddenly halting this major funding stream, including the contracts and grants we have already been awarded, jeopardizes our work.
However, we refuse to let this halt our mission. We are here to build a better future for our beautiful region, and we will not stop. In times of division, fear, and uncertainty, BRN stands by our values of unity, courage, and love.
But we need your help.
Now, more than ever, we need the support of our community to ensure that our conservation work does not come to a standstill. BRN’s biggest strengths are the passion and commitment of our staff and board, together with the incredible support of our local and extended community.
There are many ways to support us:
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Donate: You can make a one-time donation, become a monthly supporter, or explore our other giving options. Your contribution will allow us to continue essential projects despite the funding freeze, maintain employment for our skilled restoration teams and educators, and protect fragile ecosystems increasingly threatened by climate change.
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Support our services: If you’re local, stop by our nursery, Borderlands Nursery & Seed, to buy plants or shop online. You can also hike the public trails of the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve to remember why this beautiful land matters and needs to be protected.
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Contact your local, state, and federal officials: We hope you’ll also use your voice to call for action from our public officials or even just give a non-profit worker a hug. We are not alone in this struggle, as these actions present an existential threat to hundreds of amazing organizations doing fundamental work for the well-being of human communities and natural systems worldwide.
I am committed to the well-being of our staff and am taking action by operating as leanly as possible and eliminating non-critical expenditures. As I adjust BRN’s operations to reduce the adverse effects of this administration’s policies, we will protect our workforce as much as possible. We will keep you informed in the coming weeks as we navigate these challenges together.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss other ways you can help BRN, feel free to email us at info@borderlandsrestoration.org. Thank you for the ongoing support of our work. This fight is far from over.
With gratitude,
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Dr. Rodrigo Sierra Corona
Executive Director
