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. While most of this work has been happening on the East end of the canyon, this trip will mark the first restoration project we have done on the West end! We will be planting islands of pollinator friendly plants to increase the diversity and availability of resources for our pollinator friends.

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is allowing us to camp on their preserve property near the West Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Trailhead. We will be car camping at an unimproved camping area, so come prepared to rough it and to be self-sufficient.

• Bring your own meals for the weekend – a minimum of 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, with snacks.
• We will bring potable Water to share with the group, but it won’t hurt to provide at least some of your own.
• Be prepared to unplug – there is no cellphone or internet service at Aravaipa Canyon.
• Bring work clothes and appropriate close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and wet. You might also want sandals or water shoes for exploring the creek.
• Insect repellent is a good idea this time of year!

Please note that we are working at The Nature Conservancy Aravaipa Preserve, NOT in the BLM Aravaipa Wilderness Area. You may not enter the BLM Wilderness Area without a permit (available here:https://www.recreation.gov/). Visitors to the Wilderness Area are carefully managed to protect the wildlife and other natural resources; unauthorized visitation to the Wilderness Area puts SIA’s relationships in jeopardy and will not be tolerated. Don’t worry, though – there is plenty of beautiful creek to explore at the TNC Aravaipa Preserve!

LOCATION:

Aravaipa Canyon is located at the northern border of the Galiuro Mountains. The Preserve is only 50 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona as the raven flies (the west end trailhead is approximately a 2 hour drive from Sky Island Alliance’s office in downtown Tucson). With over 10 miles of perennial water, Aravaipa Canyon is a rare riparian jewel in southern Arizona and 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 binoculars! For more information about the Preserve:
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/aravaipa-canyon-preserve.xml

We will be working on the WEST SIDE of the canyon, near the West Aravaipa Canyon West Trailhead.

GETTING THERE:

Option 1:
Meet at the SIA office at 406 S 4th Ave to caravan/carpool to Aravaipa Canyon at 2:30 pm on Friday. We have limited room for passengers in vehicles – 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).

We will head north on Oracle Road/AZ-77 to East Aravaipa Rd.

Option 2:
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.

From Tucson: (73 miles) Take Oracle Road/AZ-77 north to East Aravaipa Rd. Turn right onto East Aravaipa Rd and go west aproximately 12 miles. Before reaching the Aravaipa Canyon Trailhead there will be a gate on the right that will allow access to our camping area. Keep a lookout for our green SIA signs pointing the way to our campsite. If you hit the trailhead parking lot, backtrack to the first gate on what will now be your left. The final 7.8 miles are on a fairly well maintained dirt road.

From Phoenix: (190 miles) Take US-60 E to AZ-177 S/Ray Rd in Superior. Follow AZ-177 south to AZ-77 S in Winkelman. Turn right onto AZ-77 S and proceed south for 10.8 miles to E Aravaipa Rd. Turn left onto East Aravaipa Rd and go west aproximately 12 miles. Before reaching the Aravaipa Canyon Trailhead there will be a gate on the right that will allow access to our camping area. Keep a lookout for our green SIA signs pointing the way to our campsite. If you hit the trailhead parking lot, backtrack to the first gate on what will now be your left. The final 7.8 miles are on a fairly well maintained dirt road.

TRIP LOGISTICS

• Friday 2:30 PM: Meet with SIA staff at our office to carpool to the campsite on the TNC Aravaipa Canyon Preserve.
• Friday 6:00 PM: If you would like to meet SIA at the campsite, you may arrive after 6:00 PM on Friday. Follow our green SIA arrow sign for the correct turnoff.
• Saturday 8:00 AM: Be prepared to go over the day’s work and head out. We will work throughout the day with a break for lunch.
• Sunday 8:00 AM: Get started on the day’s work. We will finish up by early afternoon and then head back to Tucson.
• Sunday 6:00 PM: We will be back to our Tucson office by 6:00 PM Sunday.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is a family-friendly trip; let us know if you plan to bring any youngsters and if you have any special concerns.

We can accommodate a small number of well-behaved dogs on this trip. If you would like to bring your canine companion, please contact Carianne ahead of time.

If you have further questions, please email Carianne at: [email protected]

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE!