Local opinion: Arizonans must be Informed, active to protect unique place

"Arizona’s silent deserts are a testament to nature’s resilience and beauty,” conservationist Rachel Carson wrote. Indeed, this glorious state must be resilient in the face of our prolonged drought, extreme heat, growing wildfires and flash flooding. The recent devastation by wildfire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon brings this home to all of us in Arizona.

Here is the good news: Our research shows that when the public speaks up, it encourages government to make better decisions that protect our shared home and reduce unnecessary environmental impacts of new projects on the landscape.