National Park Zine: Saguaro National Park and Preserve

By Daniel Shepardson

If there is an iconic plant that symbolizes the American West, it would be the giant saguaro cactus. The saguaro is found in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States. Here, the saguaro stands like a sentry before the desert landscape. Although Saguaro National Park and Preserve was established to protect the saguaro, 28 unique cacti species also survive in the Sonoran Desert. Teddybear cholla is also widespread throughout the park, as are prickly pear, barrel, and hedgehog cacti. These different cacti feed and shelter desert life. Their flowers attract pollinators and their fruits and seeds sustain reptiles, birds, rodents, and larger mammals; and the dense patches of cholla and prickly pear cactus offer protection from predators. For this issue, I have selected photographs that encapsulate my experiences hiking through cactus forests, up and down dry riverbeds, and over mountain slopes. These images display the diverse terrain and variety of life found in the Sonoran Desert.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GDMZGTVM
• ISBN13: 9798242163942
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 46 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"