B.S. Watershed Management - U of A. Consulting Hydrologist and Natural Resources Scientist with
over 26 years working experience, both in government and private sector. Special Emphasis in Water
Rights, Riparian Ecosystems, Flood Control, Riverine Morphology, Grazing Systems, Erosion
Control, Site and Water Development, Groundwater and International Issues.
to address many quality of life issues for future generations. SCC is one of the last great places to be
discovered. It deserves our attention to insure environmentally sound and economically viable
development decisions that promote sustainable land use practices.
“In order to make positive changes on the ground, there must first be positive changes in people’s
hearts. We must therefore concentrate on building partnerships wherever We must therefore
concentrate on building partnerships wherever possible!”
Roy Simpson has worked as an interpreter with the Park Service since 1985 and as an environmental
educator for the past twenty years. He developed and implemented programs with the U.S. Forest
Service, in two National Parks (Chiricahua and Tumacácori) and worked as an international
consultant. He is a trained (and once upon-a-time accredited) K-8 teacher and has worked with parks
and local schools for over 24 years. Author of seven environmental education curricula, he now
works at Tumacacori National Historical Park where, in conjunction with the Friends of the Santa
Cruz River, runs a comprehensive education program that integrates history with the environment.
In regards to Friends of the Santa Cruz River, Roy states, "I love working with FOSCR as it allows me
to marry the environment (my love and background) with the history (my work). Together we really
make a difference, making a more stable environment for future generations to enjoy."
Sherry moved from the east coast, where she had been a fisheries biologist, 16 years ago. She has a
Master's degree in aquatic biology and another in natural resource management. Since one of her
favorite things is to wander by water, the Santa Cruz became a life focus, although she has been
mostly a business manager and bookkeeper for a living here. The river's biological abundance,
diversity, and beauty has motivated her to work towards assuring that the river and its amazing
habitat will flourish, for its own sake and for future generations to enjoy.
Having grown up Iowa along the Mississippi River, Ann had certain ideas about what rivers should
look like. When she moved to Arizona, the mostly dry Santa Cruz River was a mystery until she saw
the 1983 flood, when the huge range of the ecological and hydrologic functions of a desert river
captivated her. Ann has a Masters degree in Water Resources Administration from the University of
Arizona, and has worked in private consulting and government service in this field. She has also done
extensive work with rainwater harvesting through teaching, writing, design, and work at her own
home in Sahuarita.
She is currently the Manager of Restoration Projects at the Tucson Audubon Society where she
oversees a large riparian restoration project on the lower Santa Cruz River and works with smaller
projects on tributaries in the Santa Cruz watershed. Water harvesting and sustainable design are key
components of the restoration approach used at this site. As a board member of FOSCR, she lends her
efforts to the work of preserving and enhancing the upper Santa Cruz River and edits FOSCRs
newsletter, The FLOW.
When asked at age 3 by her grandfather where exactly in Colorado she lived, Amy answered “Where
the mountains meet the sky”. Always striving to live someplace that meets that description, Amy
moved to the Tucson Basin in 2002. She immediately found her way to the stretch of the Santa Cruz
River that flows beneath the Santa Rita Mountains and felt at home in the familiar Southwestern
landscape. Fortunately, she also found her way to a fall meeting of the Friends of the Santa Cruz and
joined the group on the spot. She appreciates their passionate commitment to the health of the river
and the diverse interests and backgrounds within the group.
Currently, Amy is the Santa Cruz River Project Manager at the Sonoran Institute in Tucson where
she works with community members to develop regional conservation strategies, promote land-use
policies consistent with those strategies, and protect lands with important natural and cultural
values. Amy has previously worked as an environmental policy/planning specialist, an environmental
scientist, and a full-time athlete. She received a BS in Environmental Biology and an MA in
Environmental Studies.
Murray is a Tucson businessman with interests, among other things, in the outdoors, nature
photography, and progressive causes. He has a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley and an MBA in
Finance from Cornell.
A new transplant to the Santa Cruz River Valley area, Murray is concerned for the preservation of the
entire valley environs.
"I admire the Southern Arizonans who've dedicated themselves to preserving what's left of the
natural world, an effort that's too often a figurative shout in the wilderness. But everyone's a
winner from this activism."
Marty Jakle joined the board in November 2004. Marty Jakle is a biologist with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife program working out of the Tucson office. The
Partners program provides funding to landowners who want to benefit wildlife on their lands and
has been involved with FOSCR for several years through outdoor projects.
He received a M.S. of Science in Zoology degree from Eastern Illinois University and is interested in
and worked with riparian habitats for many years; he is also an avid birder. Marty is a former board
member and president of the Arizona Riparian Council. He has worked as a biologist for the federal
government for the past 25 years. Before that, he taught Life Science Olney Central College in Illinois.
Currently Marty is designing a “green” solar adobe home in Rio Rico. He plans to begin building in
December 2004.
“When I moved to Arizona from Illinois coming up on 30 years ago I thought I had made a BIG
mistake—never having seen cholla and such expanses of bare dirt in my life. But I wouldn’t leave
Arizona now. I think that working with groups like the Friends is the best way there is for me to
make a difference in protecting the environment.”
Marty is a widower and currently lives with his two miniature dachshunds in Tucson.
Jennifer is the Assistant Manager of Sonoita Creek State Natural area. Jennifer moved from
Michigan to Arizona in July 2004. After working for Sonoita Creek State Natural Area for several
months, she began to realize the unique importance of the desert rivers and riparian habitat in
southeast Arizona. After a successful day of birding along the Santa Cruz River, Jennifer became
interested in helping protect this "ribbon of life" in the desert as well.
Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Michigan University in Environmental
Conservation and Interpretation and Outdoor Education. In 2004 she completed her Master's Degree
in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Resources from Michigan State University.
Pending