Kate Scott
Kate Scott is a southeastern Arizona wildlife advocate, naturalist, writer, and trained wildlife rehabilitator. She and her husband, artist and filmmaker Tony Heath, care for Birdland Ranch Wildlife Conservation Area in the Huachuca Mountains, where they restore habitat and maintain nest boxes for native birds. Scott’s advocacy has included protecting the San Pedro River, opposing wildlife-killing contests, preserving cross-border wildlife corridors, and organizing the Jaguar Rising campaign. Her work often combines conservation with art, poetry, music, and ceremony—an approach she calls “celebratory activism.” She is currently helping lead the campaign to protect Lochiel’s surviving ancient cottonwood from border-wall construction.
24
July 31, 2026
S5E24: Tree Sit at the Border
Border wall contractors have destroyed three ancient Fremont cottonwoods in Lochiel, Arizona, to clear the way for two parallel 30-foot walls through the San Rafael Valley. One tree remains—and activists have established what may be the first tree sit opposing border wall construction. Kate Scott, co-founder of the Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center, joins Chris Clarke from the protest camp at Lochiel. She describes the ecological and cultural importance of the cottonwoods, concerns about nesting migratory birds and archaeological resources, and the campaign to protect the surviving tree and prevent construction of the second wall.
Guest: Kate Scott