Border-wall contractors have destroyed three ancient Fremont cottonwoods in the tiny community of Lochiel, Arizona. The trees, estimated to be 200 to 250 years old, stood within the path of two proposed 30-foot border walls through the San Rafael Valley. One landmark cottonwood remains—and activists have occupied it in what may be the first tree sit organized against border-wall construction.

Kate Scott joins Chris Clarke from the Casita de la Esperanza, the activists’ base in the former Lochiel port of entry. She describes the destruction of the cottonwoods, the birds and other wildlife that depended upon them, and concerns that construction continued despite evidence of active nests. She also explains why activists are demanding that the remaining tree be spared and the proposed secondary wall be stopped.

The fight is about more than one tree. For Scott and her fellow organizers, the surviving cottonwood represents the ecological richness, cultural history, and cross-border relationships threatened by wall construction throughout the Arizona–Sonora borderlands.

Episode image modified from a photo by the Center for Biological Diversity

Key Takeaways

• Contractors destroyed three of Lochiel’s four landmark cottonwoods to clear space for border-wall construction.
• Activists are occupying the remaining tree and calling for the proposed secondary wall through Lochiel to be abandoned.
• The cottonwoods provided habitat for barn owls, flickers, kingbirds, insects, and other wildlife; Scott also reports hearing a threatened yellow-billed cuckoo.
• Scott says Customs and Border Protection had promised protections for active bird nests, but activists saw no meaningful environmental monitoring during the removal.
• Organizers are using direct action alongside art, music, ceremony, and public gatherings to defend the San Rafael Valley.
• The wall threatens not only wildlife movement but also a historic border community, neighboring ranchland in Sonora, and potentially significant archaeological resources.

Notable Quotes

1. “We do not want a double wall through this historic community.”
2. “Each one [of the cottonwoods is] unique—a universe in and of itself.”
3. “This is not a crossing point. This is a wildlife migratory corridor.”
4. “We’re not taking this anymore. We’re making our stand here.”
5. “Don’t obey in advance.”

Resources

Rally for the Valley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rallyforthevalley/

GiveButter Donation Link: https://givebutter.com/stop-destruction-in-lochiel-oxsxdp

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.