Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) is a grassroots, community-driven nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Patagonia Mountains and the Sonoita Creek Watershed from the impacts of 21st century industrialized mining. Funded in 2011 by six Patagonia residents, PARA is a citizen watchdog organization that monitors the activities of both exploratory and mining companies and government (State and Federal) agencies. There is a 100 year (1860-1960) history of industrial mining in the Patagonia Mountains. With advanced mining capability to access the deeper mineral deposits, companies have renewed interest in resource extraction. From 2011 through mid-2018, the activity was exploratory development. The Board work during the early years was to educate the public about the environmental threats and to file comments with agencies when permits were requested by the exploratory companies. In mid-2018, one project was sold by an exploratory company to a mining company which is intent on moving into ore production. In mid-2021, that mining company applied for necessary State permits to begin mining. Because the project intends to reach the minerals from patented (private) land, there are no federal requirements to access the target mineral resources located under Federal public lands where there are unpatented claims filed by the company. Under the 1872 mining law, the government would sell unpatented claims for $5 an acre which concerted those public lands to patented (private) land.

PARA recognizes that the health and prosperity of Patagonia are tied to the well-being of two areas of interest: the Patagonia Mountains and the Harshaw/Sonoita Creek watershed. These two things are the source of our water, clean air, biodiversity, and overall wealth of nature and resources, and their continued protection helps drive Patagonia’s economy.