Aravaipa Canyon Riparian Restoration

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LOCATION:
Aravaipa Canyon is located in the northern Galiuro Mountains and only a few miles from the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness. The Preserve is 50 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona (approximately 3 to 3.5 hours drive from Tucson or Phoenix). With over 10 miles of perennial water, Aravaipa Canyon is a rare riparian jewel in southern Arizona; it is an important tributary to the Lower San Pedro River. We always see a variety of wildlife in Aravaipa Canyon, you will want to have your binocoulars!

GETTING THERE:
Meet at the SIA office at 300 W. University to caravan/carpool to Aravaipa Canyon at 1pm on Friday. We will have some room for passengers - please let us know ahead of time if you need a ride so we can ensure space for everyone (or if you'd like to drive your personal vehicle and have space for a passenger). If you have been there before and would like to meet us out there, just let us know when to expect you on Friday evening.

We will head east on 1-10 toward Willcox (and a bathroom break) before heading off toward the northwest for the canyon. The last 40 miles or so are on a well-maintained dirt road. High clearance is recommended for a few wet wash crossings (yes, there is perennial water!) before arriving at the guesthouse.

THE WORK:
Sky Island Alliance has been helping TNC and the BLM in Aravaipa Canyon for several years on a variety of projects to increase watershed health along this perennial riparian area. During this trip we will be embarking on a new task in Aravaipa Canyon - removing an invasive plant called vinca (or common periwinkle) from the understory of the creek banks. This will require digging and fastidious removal of root material, with tools provided by Sky Island Alliance. We'll be bending, digging, and getting dirty. Over the next couple of seasons, we hope to remove about 5 acres of vinca. We will also be installing native plants in previously cleared areas to improve pollinator habitat.

We will break into teams and work all day Saturday and half of the day on Sunday to dig out vinca and plant native plants. We will depart the canyon in the early afternoon on Sunday to return to Tucson by 5pm.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has donated the use of the Aravaipa Canyon Preserve guesthouse, nestled right along Aravaipa Creek. TNC's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve guesthouse has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with showers and a full kitchen (with basic implements). There is also a screened sleeping porch, and a bunkhouse with two rooms with beds. You may choose to sleep on a bed (bring your own comfy bedding) or camp under the stars in your tent. Beds will be first-come/first serve, unless you let us know that you need to have priority. Nightly campfires are a big possibility.

• Bring your own meals for the weekend - a minimum of 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, with snacks.
• Potable water is available onsite, along with communal refrigerator space.
• Be prepared to unplug - there is no cellphone service at Aravaipa Canyon.
• Bring work clothes and appropriate close-toed shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. You may want sandals for walking in the creek.
• Insect repellent is a good idea this time of year!

PLEASE NOTE:
Volunteers are required to sign our release and indemnity form once annually. This is a family-friendly trip; let us know if you plan to bring any youngsters and any special concerns. A limited number of well-behaved dogs will be allowed - please let us know if you have a 4-legger that you'd like to bring along.

Register online for this event: http://bit.ly/1Fysr9u

For more information, please contact Carianne Campbell, RESTORE Program Manager, at carianne@skyislandalliance.org , or 520-624-7080 ext 14.