90 MFN: The Majestic Saguaro, Part 1

August 28, 2023

In the latest episode of 90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast, we cover what is likely the most recognizable and widely known desert plant species: Carnegiea gigantea, aka the saguaro.

Thank you for reading 90 Miles from Needles Newsletter. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Henry Brean, a reporter with the Arizona Daily Star newspaper in Tucson, Arizona, discusses a study conducted by Tom Orem and Nancy Ferguson for the last 40 years on the saguaro cacti in Saguaro National Park. The study, which actually began in the 1940s, originally aimed to determine if the saguaros were facing extinction. Over the years, the researchers observed a decline in the number of saguaros, but also noticed a reversal of the trend in recent decades. The study has provided valuable insights into the lifespan and reproductive patterns of saguaros, as well as the impact of external threats such as drought and human activities. The study is now being continued by park biologists, ensuring the preservation of the valuable data set.

Then Tucsonan Audrey Scheere joins us to discuss the iconic Saguaro cactus and its significance in Tucson. We talk about the cultural and ecological importance of the Saguaro, its relationship with indigenous people, and the reverence and respect it receives from the Tucson community. Audrey also mentions the Saguaro National Park's Saguaro census and the existence of crested Saguaros.

And interspersed with these interviews, we try not to risk heat injury as we visit a patch of saguaros in Brenda, Arizona with temperatures in the 107-108 range.

Part two of this episode, to air later this year, will cover some of the relationships that indigenous peoples in the Sonoran Desert have with this keystone cactus species.

Don’t forget: We’re launching a new newsletter called “Desert Fact of the Day” in the next few weeks, which will bring you a diverting and entertaining fact about our deserts every single day. And it’s free! Subscribe here.