About the Chiricahua Regional Council
The Chiricahua Regional Council is a citizen’s watchdog group that monitors public agency actions and other issues affecting the Chiricahua, Peloncillo and Dragoon Mountains, and nearby areas of southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and adjacent northern Mexico.
We protect valuable, intact habitats and champion the region’s natural and cultural integrity. Dark skies, open space, outstanding species diversity, corridors that link habitats, our ranching heritage––all of these values make our region what it is. Together, these treasures draw tens of thousands of visitors annually, all contributing to nature tourism, which underpins our regional economy.
The CRC promotes responsible land use and wise, science-informed stewardship of our unique natural heritage. Our broad constituency includes scientists, ranchers, birders, naturalists, astronomers, artists, residents, visitors, and many others, who value our region’s spectacular qualities.
A brief history of the origins of the CRC is available here. Our bylaws are available by request.
We cordially invite you to join our efforts.
CRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: your donations to our work are tax deductible.
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The cliffs above the South Fork of Cave Creek © Narca Moore -
Spring poppies in the San Simon Valley © Eskild Petersen
Current Issues
Learn more about our current priority issues and how you can take action to protect the beautiful and sensitive areas in and around the Chiricahua mountains!
- Lawsuit Targets New Forest Service Roads in Jaguar, Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat in Arizona
Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, the Chiricahua Regional Council, Natural Allies, Wild Arizona, and Conservation CATalyst, filed a lawsuit today challenging the… - Petition Seeks New Federal Protections for Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains
Today, conservation groups, including Center for Biological Diversity, Sky Island Alliance, and Chiricahua Regional Council, petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to designate a 5,500-acre… - Groundwater Policy Statement
As an environmental group pledged to protect intact habitats and natural resources, CRC acknowledges that groundwater pumping for industrial scale agriculture and mining poses… - Peloncillo Firescape Comments Due Fri., March 15
The 30-day window to comment on the Forest Service’s draft environmental assessment for their proposed Peloncillo Firescape Project closes March 15. The Chiricahua Regional…
Stewardship Projects
The Stewardship Program at the Chiricahua Regional Council rests on the principle that people and non-profits collaborating together can have a positive impact on the land.
- Clear signs along the Crest
CRC’s Stewardship Program replaced many of the posts and signs along the Chiricahua Crest Trail this spring. The project grew out of discussions between… - Spring trail maintenance
The CRC Stewardship Program joined forces with the Chiricahua Wilderness Trail Crew, the Portal-Rodeo Hiking Group, Wild Arizona, and the Coronado National Forest to… - Stewardship: A Year in Review
CRC’s Stewardship Program had an active 2023. Working with partner organizations, we amassed over 750 hours of volunteer time. In the winter, we installed… - Summer and fall stewardship work
A walk along the Crest Trail in the Chiricahuas, with its expansive views, is an experience not soon forgotten. This sublime trail, #270 Rustler…
Become a Member
A one-year Chiricahua Regional Council membership costs $25. When issues arise affecting the Chiricahua–Peloncillo–Dragoon region, we inform our membership of the problem and recommend actions to remedy the situation. These notices come at irregular (and, thankfully, infrequent) intervals––however, when action has been needed, our members have risen to the challenge and have been very effective at protecting the local biological and cultural values.
Our Board of Directors
- Dirk Sigler, President
- Curt Bradley, Vice President
- Eskild Petersen, Treasurer
- Elly van Gelderen, Secretary
- Wynne Brown
- Philip Hedrick
- David Hodges
- Noel Snyder
- Helen Snyder
Our Advisory Council
- Amy Amoroso
- Josiah Austin
- Jim Downer
- Diana Hadley
- Paul Hirt
- Michele Lanan
- Greg Magee
- Narca Moore
- Jonathan Patt
- Kim Vacariu
- Alice Wakefield
- Richard Webster