Southern Arizona residents, activists and organizations are teaming up with federal government officials to designate a portion of the Santa Cruz River as Arizona’s first urban national wildlife refuge. The federal designation would ensure the protection of the critical habitat for years into the future following its revitalization in recent years. … The San Xavier District’s Wa:k Hikdan Riparian Restoration Project on Tohono O’odham land was a model for the coalition. The Wa:k Hikdan project restored riparian habitat to the San Xavier District just south of downtown Tucson by using Colorado River water granted through the Central Arizona Project. The coalition said the Wa:k Hikdan project resulted in trees regrowing, plant life becoming abundant again, and animals returning. The project brought the community together in the process, making it a model for the Santa Cruz River refuge proposal.