Cactus Rescue
Native Cactus Rescue Lead: Donna Ellis
Urban Cactus Rescue Lead: Julie Shulick
“When we have the opportunity to rescue saguaros, everybody feels so good about it because they’re not going to be destroyed.”
Native Cactus Rescue
The Native Cactus Rescue program salvages native plants in undisturbed areas undergoing development.
Public utilities - Gas, Water, Electric, etc.
Road construction
Schools
Home builders
Davis Monthan Air Force Base
Mines & Quarries
Tribal land
Private land owners
AZ Sonora Desert Museum
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Our work crew volunteers dig up and move the cacti out of harm’s way. Some plants go home with the volunteers, some are transplanted to Pima Prickly Park, and the rest are sold at our plant sales.
Our efforts are supplemental to the on-site preservation that may be required by development permits and Native Plant Protection Ordinances (NPPO).
By selling our rescued cactus at reasonable costs to the public, we not only save these native plants, but encourage homeowners to use native plants in their landscapes, saving water, and preserving our Southern Arizona plant gene-pool.
Proceeds of sales and silent auctions support TCSS’s many educational and conservation programs and activities.
Rescue volunteers digging a Sotol (Desert Spoon).
Wrapping a saguaro in preparation for digging.
Triple saguaro fully wrapped and ready to dig.
Tagging area for native plants being rescued.
Volunteers carrying a saguaro out of the rescue area.
Volunteers lifting a saguaro onto the trailer to be tagged and taken to Pima Prickly Park or to sell in one of the club’s many public sales.
Urban Cactus Rescue
The Urban Cactus Rescue program works to save cacti and succulents at the request of homeowners.
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The cactus rescue program often gets call from homeowners wishing to donate cacti. These donations are often the result of plants that have outgrown their space or are located in a place where a home remodel or landscape change might otherwise destroy the plants.
The Urban Rescue team determines what plants will benefit the club and are able to be rescued safely with the equipment and volunteers available.
We also re-home special collections (in pots or in the landscape) where the homeowner is moving and would like to donate their collection to be cared for by members who love cactus and succulents. These are often considered special rescues and may lead to a club silent auction of the plants.
Proceeds of sales and silent auctions support our many educational and conservation programs and activities.
A collection of donated cacti and succulents.
A special prickly pear cactus rescued.
A saguaro growing too close to the house.
Volunteers planting a Special Saguaro donated to Pima Prickly Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Well, it depends. A saguaro growing in the open desert grows slowly depending on our yearly rainfall. A saguaro growing in a landscape can grow much faster since it can get more water from other sources, like, a nearby drip system, a neighbor’s grass, or runoff from your roof.
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We limit the height of saguaros to about 7 or 8 feet depending on the diameter. They are very heavy at the height and become dangerous to rescue and to sell.
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We rescue cacti for many different reasons. We work with Pima County, Tucson Electric Power Co., developers and many other companies. When areas are being developed the companies may call us to remove Native Cacti that are in the way and could be damaged or destroyed.
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We accept cacti and succulents on a case by case basis. If you can email us photos of what you would like to donate that will help determine if we can rescue it.
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Sometimes. It depends on the variety and condition. Contact us and send us a photo to get a better idea.
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Sorry, you will need to hire a landscaper for moving your cacti. We only take saguaros as donations.
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We often plant the donated cacti we rescue in Pima Prickly Park located at 3600 W River Road in Tucson, AZ. Sometimes very beautiful specimens are added to our Sales area for upcoming public sales.
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The Cactus Rescue Program is a free service. We do not charge for donated cacti. The costs of running the Rescue Programs are offset by the sales of rescue cacti and monetary donations. We will gladly take monetary donations in any amount.
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Arizona Native plants are protected. When TCSS is called to rescue saguaros or other native plants, the correct tags and permits are acquired to comply with State laws.
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We don’t judge. People want to donate their cacti for many reasons. We live in the desert and we all know it saves water to plant native species, but many of us have non-native plants in our own landscapes.