The BRN Education Program seeks to share knowledge and inspire conservation leadership in the borderlands through learning opportunities and skills training. Our programs have taught over 1590 participants through hands on learning, workshops, internships, programs and outreach for youth through adults.

Borderlands Earth Care Youth (BECY)

Borderlands Earth Care Youth (BECY) inspires and trains the next generation of land stewards by hiring youth to restore their home watersheds. Twelve person youth crews from the border communities of Douglas and Patagonia, Arizona are hired to partake in the 6-week program.

Ṣu:dagī ‘O Wud Doakag (Water is Life)

Since the arrival of Spanish missionaries, 96% of the surface water in Tohono O’odham ancestral homelands has disappeared, prompting the Tohono O’odham youth to take charge and create opportunities to mitigate the environmental challenges within the nation. As a result, Baboquivari High School, Borderlands Restoration Network, Tohono O’odham Community College, and Flowers & Bullets piloted the Su:dagī o wud doakag, or Water is Life after school youth program.

This program was designed for the Tohono O’odham youth to earn valuable skills, training, and income while connecting with O’odham himdag or way of life.

Field Studies

The Borderlands Restoration Network Field Course is an immersive, practical training course designed to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders in the Sky Islands. 
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Curriculums offered include integrated lectures, workshops, field trips and hands-on learning opportunities covering a wide breadth of topics spanning technical skills in native seed collection and plant propagation, watershed restoration, foundational principles of a restorative economy, cross-border collaboration, humanitarian aid, and more.

Women Grow Food

Members of the Women Grow Food program engage in hands-on learning at Deep Dirt Farm to grow food crops using permaculture techniques. Participants help manage the greenhouse, plant and grow food, make compost and take home freshly-harvested organic vegetables they help produce.

Mesquite Stewardship Program

Borderland Restoration Network's Mesquite Stewardship Program is comprised of a core group of volunteers who formed through their passion for mesquite to expand and share their general knowledge about its food uses and nutritional and societal benefits, valued-added products, its role in a restorative economy, and the importance of this iconic tree in our landscapes for habitat and wildlife.

Mesquite Stewards meet monthly and participate in expert talks, workshops and connect and collaborate with other mesquite champions throughout Southern Arizona.

Contact Us

Have questions about our programs, interested in an educational tour, internships or have a group who would like to visit us? Contact Education Program Director, Denisse Ortega Lorona at dortega@borderlandsrestoration.org.