Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times. Author and photographer – Mary Tolena
One morning in May, Aaron Mrotek, manager of The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, got a big surprise when he opened his email.
Mrotek had been chosen for TNC’s 2025 Trailblazer Conservation Achievement Award, earning the top honor from among approximately 7,000 TNC employees worldwide. “I was very, very shocked to be selected,” Mrotek said.
The award was “in recognition of your devotion to TNC’s values and for demonstrating creative strategies, innovation, and leadership in achieving extraordinary accomplishments in pursuit of our mission,” the announcement email read. “Your nomination is not only in honor of your achievements, but just as importantly, how they were accomplished.”
According to Mrotek, the “how” part is a reflection of not just his leadership, but also the extraordinary network of volunteers and organizations that TNC partners with. Their collaborative projects help keep the entire Sonoita Creek watershed healthy, reaching far beyond TNC’s property boundaries.
The Nature Conservancy’s Aaron Mrotek displays his Trailblazer award.
“I see myself as a string-puller, a catalyst to make cool projects happen,” Mrotek said. “This is an award for everyone who has collaborated on the work we’re all doing across this watershed.”
Mrotek grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and came west in 2014 to join the Arizona Conservation Corps. He immediately fell in love with the Sky Islands area, and has been here ever since. Before coming to Patagonia, he lived and worked in Aravaipa Canyon in the Galiuro mountains for four years.
When asked what influenced his beliefs and skills in leading collaboratively, Mrotek recalled working with Zach Ribbing, a Forest Service manager who was a partner in several projects. “We’d stay up late, talking around the campfire,” Mrotek said. “He’d tell stories about how he got things done. That set the trajectory for my approach to life.”
Examples of inter-organization projects and grants that Mrotek’s TNC team has tackled include stream monitoring with Friends of Sonoita Creek, fire risk mitigation with Tucson Bird Alliance, and trail maintenance with Mountain Empire Trails Association. Among several TNC projects partnering with Borderlands Restoration Network, a highlight for Mrotek was restoring large grassland fields from monocultures of Johnson grass to a mix of native grassland species.
These collaborations give Mrotek a big picture view of the entire Sonoita Creek watershed. His team is currently studying the geomorphology of the creek, mapping the shape of the creek and channel. When the creek bed is deeply incised, it becomes disconnected from the adjacent natural flood plain, which means faster water flow and less replenishment of groundwater. Mrotek is working to land funding for larger scale restorations at key creek locations to improve the health of surrounding riparian and grassland zones. This work will also help reduce flood risk for the town of Patagonia.
Mrotek is excited about a new project to study wildlife mortality patterns along Highway 82. Eighteen volunteer “Highway 82 Road Kill Rangers” have been tallying incidents from Sonoita to the Nogales airport since May, logging species data and photos into a phone app. It’s a two-year study in cooperation with ADOT and Arizona Game and Fish. Once mortality patterns are documented, Mrotek is optimistic that the agencies will want to take actions, like over- or under-passes, to reduce events. “It’s a traffic safety issue, as well as wildlife protection,” Mrotek said. “And not just for large animals. Drivers swerve suddenly to avoid small creatures, too.”
Mrotek’s award also recognized his effective management of the Sonoita Creek Preserve itself. He has grown a robust volunteer program that generated over 3,600 hours of service between July 2024 and June 2025. The volunteers not only get a lot of work done, the value of their hours leverages cash resources by helping to fulfill matching grant requirements.
Mrotek’s team has been effective in invasive species removal, including the near-total eradication of vinca, and significant reductions in Johnson grass, Himalayan blackberry and tree of heaven. They have improved Preserve infrastructure, including new trailside benches and a modern utility and equipment shed.
Winning the Trailblazer award included a trip to TNC’s Staff Enrichment Conference and Trailblazer Awards Ceremony in Nebraska in June. Mrotek attended with two colleagues: freshwater scientist Jessie Pearl, who designed the water monitoring program for the Sonoita Creek Preserve, and Michelle Caporali, TNC external affairs associate. They enjoyed a full week of networking, skill development, and hearing project presentations from around the world.
Beyond his professional role, Aaron volunteers with the Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue, assists with coaching soccer and hosts annual appreciation events for his team of over 60 volunteers, personally recognizing each individual’s contributions.
“Aaron Mrotek exemplifies what it means to be a Trailblazer,” said TNC Stewardship Program Manager Jonathan Lutz, a former Patagonia resident. “Under Aaron’s guidance, the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve has become a vibrant hub for conservation action and community collaboration. He defines what community-centered conservation looks like in southern Arizona.”