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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
3/7 UPDATE
To our friends and supporters,
I am deeply grateful for your incredible support over the past several weeks. Thank you for standing with us. As promised, I'm updating you on how the federal funding freeze affects BRN.
Last year was our most successful fundraising year yet, and we entered 2025 with a strong wave of momentum. However, the unprecedented freeze on federal funding has left us with an unexpected $1.2 million budget shortfall—over 50% of our programming budget. In February, we met with Robert Guerrero, a representative from Senator Mark Kelly’s office, and we have been in touch with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes regarding these funding issues.
As of now, we’ve managed to avoid full-time staff layoffs. But the reality is that many of our programs have been scaled back, and some have been put on hold indefinitely. The most heartbreaking loss has been the cancellation of our spring Borderlands Earth Care Youth (BECY) paid internship. This transformative program provides rural youth in Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties with hands-on job training in conservation. BECY doesn’t just teach skills; it sparks passion, shapes careers, and empowers the next generation of environmental leaders.
I’m hopeful that BECY may be resumed in the fall of 2025 if federal funds are released and other revenue sources develop. We will do all we can to bring back BECY as soon as possible. However, it is a real possibility that the program will remain on hold for the entire year.
That’s why we need your help now more than ever. If you’ve already donated, thank you. Your support means everything. And there are many other ways to stand with us during this difficult time if a financial gift is not an option for you:
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Attend our events to stay engaged and spread awareness: Save the date for March 30 from 4-7 PM at the Patagonia Lumber Company for a BRN Meet & Greet community event, complete with a band, presentation, and a chili cook-off. More details to come!
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Check our calendar to learn about other events, such as upcoming plant sales and workshops.
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Participate in our Arizona Gives Day fundraiser on April 1: Early giving begins March 11 and every contribution makes a difference!
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Continue to contact your local, state, and federal representatives to advocate for the release of critical federal funding.
Your dedication and generosity are the heart of BRN, and we need that support now more than ever. We’ll continue to keep you updated on our work, and we remain hopeful for the future.
With gratitude,
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Dr. Rodrigo Sierra Corona
Executive Director
