The Metro Phoenix Saguaro Census

DATE: May 1 - 31
TIME: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
PRICE: Free

Do you love saguaros? Help us learn more about them!

Desert Botanical Garden has launched a census of saguaro cactus growing in metro Phoenix to better understand the health and adaption of the population. Help us count saguaros in your neighborhood.

This May, the community can help the Garden document urban saguaros (Carnegiea gigantea) in the Valley through iNaturalist. Participants can share their observations on the app under the Saguaro Census project. An observation can include photos, a location and notes about the general health of the saguaro.

Why?

This is the first step to generate a database to monitor the saguaro population in the Valley, learn more about their health and research the effects climate change might have on them.

More about the project:

The Saguaro Census is part of a larger project led by Tania Hernandez, New World Succulents Research Scientist. The project seeks to understand the biology, distribution and genetics of the urban saguaro population by comparing them with their relatives growing in the wild. The project will also be used to develop tools to understand and preserve endangered cactus species in the Southwest with substantial community involvement.The Saguaro Census is in collaboration with the Metro Phoenix EcoFlora and the Save Our Saguaros project, led by Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Ella Werre.

Join the Census 

Getting Started Guide

WE NEED YOUR SAGUARO! If you have a saguaro growing on your property and are willing to allow DBG to study it, please email thernandez@dbg.org.

Click here to learn more about the Saguaro Census