Three Things You Didn’t Know About Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

A prickly pear blooms. Photo by: Criselda Caringal

#1 It has a sister park in Mexico

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument besides sharing a border with Mexico also shares its beautiful Sonoran landscape with its Mexican counterpart called El Pinacate y Grand Desierto de Altar.

Hear Rijk Morawe talk about their joint efforts:

“Luckily for us, our partner is right across the border…”, says Rijk Morawe of their sister park, El Pinacante. Video by: Criselda Caringal

#2 Cacti in the monument are at least a hundred years old

Organ Pipe Cactus. Photo by: Marta Cerava

Organ pipe cacti are not only majestic, they become more beautiful with age. These cacti only start producing flowers at the age of 35.

#3 It’s the cattle, not the fence!

According to OPCNM’s Cultural & Natural Resources Chief, Rijk Morawe, the desert landscape has experienced dramatic changes since the turn of the 19th century. Morawe says one of the major culprits responsible for this is the cattle industry.

Video by: Criselda Caringal