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!
- Air Force deadline extendedIn response to strong community pressure and the comments of many of us submitted, the Air Force has extended the deadline for scoping comments…
- CBP Webinar on Tucson Border Barrier Remediation FeedbackThe message below was sent out with regard to the CBP’s border remediation plan. We will attend and will report back on what we…
- CRC to Collect Funds to Support Opposition to USAF’s MOA ExpansionWith the scoping comments phase of the U.S. Air Force proposal to expand military training behind us, we have heard loud and clear from…
- CRC comments in opposition to expanded military trainingToday, CRC submitted scoping comments opposing the Tombstone MOA proposal for Expanded Military Training over the Chiricahua and Peloncillo Mountain region. CRC also signed…
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.
- Report from the CRC Stewardship ProgramJune of ’22 has been kind to us in southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. An early start to the seasonal rain (aka the…
- Spring trail work in the ChiricahuasOn May 6, 2022, the Chiricahua Wilderness Trail Crew completed a week of volunteer trail work in the Chiricahua mountains. John Sumner (in the…
- 29 – Stewardship and trails (2021)(This is a part of a series of gleanings from the history of CRC’s 30 years of work; additional posts available here.) In February 2021,…
- Spring trail work in the ChiricahuasThe Chiricahua Regional Council is happy to welcome back the Chiricahua Wilderness Trail Crew. John Sumner returns to Portal on the 28th of April…

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
- Wynne Brown, President
- Noel Snyder, Vice President
- Eskild Petersen, Treasurer
- Michele Lanan, Secretary
- David Hodges
- Chris Roll
- Dirk Sigler
- Helen Snyder
Our Advisory Council
- Josiah Austin
- Philip Hedrick
- Narca Moore
- Alice Wakefield
- Richard Webster