The majestic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest, is facing an existential crisis. Urban sprawl is encroaching on its habitat and, as cities expand, the saguaro population dwindles. Join us in learning about how Friends of Tonto National Forest (FOTNF) is stepping up to help, and how you can join in their efforts.

Relocating these cacti is a common but precarious solution; many transplanted saguaros struggle to survive, with many not lasting beyond a few years. The stress of relocation weakens them, making them vulnerable to diseases and other threats.

But the plight of the saguaro doesn’t end there. The desert’s iconic giant is also battling a surge in devastating wildfires. Record-breaking blazes are torching tens of thousands of these towering giants. Compounding the problem is climate change, which has led to night-time temperatures stubbornly staying above 90°F. Initially, it was believed that this was mostly an urban issue, linked to the heat island effect. However, observations from desert enthusiasts and trail maintenance crews reveal a troubling trend: more saguaros are falling than ever before. This increase in fallen cacti is becoming a common sight, highlighting the broader impact of climate change on these resilient yet vulnerable desert sentinels.

Friends of Tonto National Forest (FOTNF) is stepping up to help. As part of the updated TNF Regional Strategic Plan, their goal is to protect, restore, and monitor saguaros across the forest.

INSTRUCTION METHOD: Lecture

AGES: Adults 18+

FEE: Free – but please kindly RSVP below so we can plan accordingly; seating is limited. Donations to The Holland Center 501(c)3 are also appreciated.

PRESENTER: Meet Don Pike: Engineer, Explorer, and Environmental Leader. Don Pike, a graduate of the University of Maine’s engineering program and retired General Electric executive, spent over a decade living in Germany and traveling the globe—developing a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and problem-solving on a global scale. Since retiring in 1999, Don has made his home in Mesa, Arizona, where he’s channeled his energy into hiking, environmental stewardship, and community leadership.

As a founding member of Friends of the Tonto National Forest, Don leads invasive plant management efforts aimed at restoring Arizona’s native landscapes. He coordinates volunteer removal events targeting buffelgrass and other fire-prone species, and plays a central role in public education efforts within Wildland Urban Interface communities to raise awareness about the connection between invasive vegetation and wildfire risk.

Combining his technical acumen with conservation passion, Don developed a custom Esri Field Maps application that tracks invasive grass treatment with geographic precision. Since 2015, this tool has helped organize data across hundreds of acres, guiding both volunteers and contractors in targeted restoration. His leadership extends to grant applications, project design, and impact reporting—bolstering statewide support for habitat protection.

More recently, Don launched a citizen science initiative focused on monitoring saguaros, the towering icons of the Sonoran Desert. His Field Maps platform enables real-time condition tracking and allows volunteers to revisit individual saguaros without overwriting historical data—making it possible to monitor ecological change over time with a level of detail rarely seen in public-facing research. Don’s innovative efforts have earned him recognition across the Southwest. In 2024, he was awarded the Weed Manager of the Year by the Southwest Vegetation Management Association and, in May 2025, he was featured in the “New York Times” Science Times section for his pioneering conservation work.