Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson, AZ is a wastewater treatment facility that is great for birds, and people too. Managed by the City of Tucson, Sweetwater Wetlands is “one of the most important functional, environmental, and educational components of the city’s reclaimed water system. Treated water filters through sediments beneath recharge basins, and replenishes the local aquifer. This reclaimed wastewater is recovered by extraction wells during periods of high water demand. The recovered wastewater is distributed for reuse in Tucson’s golf courses, parks, schools, and other large turf irrigation areas.” Visitors can view native wildlife in an urban setting, and stroll along the more than 2.5 miles of trails. The riparian habitat is important for wildlife in the absence of the cottonwood gallery forest that used to exist along the nearby Santa Cruz River. Many species of birds are observed at Sweetwater from warblers and other songbirds, to raptors, and many species of wintering waterfowl.

The Environmental Education Exchange, a non-profit organization providing programs and services for the advancement of environmental literacy, received funding from Tucson Water to update an existing guide into digital format. This interactive digital field guide features over 60 birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants commonly found at Sweetwater Wetlands. The Sonoran Joint Venture led the creation and editing of the bird content. The guide includes descriptions of common species, including where and when is the best time of year to spot them. We also include information on diet, habitat, range maps, sounds, photos, and more. Best of all, it is free for all users.

We’re excited to announce that the iBook is now live and available for download (and in 51 countries!) with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device. Get your copy here!