Saguaro Harvest Under Threat | Tucson News

Tucson News Today | 2 Min Now | The Daily News Now! · Jul 13, 2026 · 2m

When climate change threatens their sacred harvests, the Tohono O’odham people of Southern Arizona are turning to tradition as a path forward. Rising heat, erratic rain, and invasive species are endangering native plants like tepary beans and saguaro fruit—cornerstones of their culture, cuisine, and spiritual practices. After a powerful “Our Land’s Wellness” gathering timed with the O’odham New Year, community members are rallying to teach younger generations how to adapt, harvest sustainably, and honor ancestral knowledge. With saguaro fruit used in rain rituals and traditional foods…