A report on the importance of citizen scientists, overwhelmingly volunteers, serving as ecological stewards along the U.S. Mexico border. Stereotypically characterized as drawn from the ranks of retirees, many are students, professionals, individuals with specialized expertise that lends itself to tasks at hand. Bird of the episode: Scaled Quail. Birding Hotspot: Ramsey Canyon Preserve near Sierra Vista. Friends of wildlife: the many science programs at the University of Arizona, Tucson.