Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) is a grassroots, community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 in Patagonia, Arizona. PARA monitors mining proposals and permits, educates residents, and advocates to protect the Patagonia Mountains, the Sonoita Creek watershed, local wildlife, and community water resources from the impacts of modern industrial mining while promoting nature-based, sustainable local economies.
Environmental protection and conservation, mining regulation and oversight, water resource protection and watershed health, wildlife and habitat conservation, public lands stewardship, regulatory accountability and agency oversight, local land-use and community resilience, promotion of sustainable nature-based economic development
Primarily individual donations and local fundraising, supplemented by grants from foundations and environmental funders; has received occasional grants or support from organizations such as Patagonia (the apparel company) and Fund for Wild Nature, plus in-kind volunteer support
The Nature Conservancy (Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve), Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Sky Island Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthworks, Center for Biological Diversity, National Audubon Society (Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch); local partners include Friends of Sonoita Creek and Arizona Trail Association; leadership includes Board Chair Joni Clark Stellar and Executive Director Anna Darian
501(c)(3) non-profit organization (grassroots environmental watchdog)
