The Nature Conservancy's Center for Science and Public Policy was created to engage stakeholders and expertise in applied science and policy to develop new information, ideas, and tools that can help solve some of our most pressing challenges affecting people and nature.

As Arizona prepares for its Centennial celebration in 2012, it also faces critical challenges in preparing for a prosperous and sustainable future. Solving pressing challenges about water supplies, how we grow, where we build our transportation and energy infrastructure, how we sustain our environment and improve quality of life will require strong, creative leadership, institutional capacity and public support. It also will require new information and tools to help problem-solve and enable stakeholders and policy-makers to evaluate options and tradeoffs. In an increasingly specialized world, solving complex problems will require better integration of policy and science in conjunction with public and private sector engagement. The Conservancy's Center for Science and Public Policy in Arizona was created to foster this integration.

Our website hosts more than a decade of conservation science generated by Arizona Conservancy staff and collaborators. It will also take a closer look at issues such as growth, water, and the management of our changing forests, grasslands and deserts. We will highlight initiatives that bring together people, science, policy, and solutions. The Center draws upon staff from all programs within the Conservancy. Below are profiles of Arizona’s conservation science and policy staff.