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Create habitat for frogs, bats, and other pollinators in the Chiricahua Mountains!

We will be working at “Hermitage Seep” in Rucker Canyon, on the west side of the Chiricahua Mountains, at just under 6,000 feet in elevation. Join us as we continue our work to expand ponds with hand tools, build frog ramps, and plant pollinator plants.  This trip is free of charge and no experience is necessary.

BACKGROUND

The Chiricahua Mountains are a large Sky Island located in the very southeastern corner of Arizona and rise 6,000 feet above the surrounding desert grasslands.  We are working with the Coronado National Forest, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bat Conservation International, and many others to create breeding habitat for threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs that will soon be released here, as well as open water that is accessible for the 21 species of bats that occur in the Chiricahua Mountains. In addition, we will supplement the already impressive array of native plants by installing additional milkweeds for monarch butterflies, as well as plants that provide resources for other butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and more.

TRIP SCHEDULE

• Friday, 1:00 pm: Meet SIA staff at the Historic Y to caravan/carpool to the Chiricahua Mountains (http://thehistoricy.com/location/). If you will be meeting us at the campsite, proceed past the Rucker Canyon Campground to the USFS Administrative site – look for the green “SIA” sign.  A detailed map will be sent when the time approaches. We will have access to grills and bathrooms at the Admin site.
• Saturday, 8:00 am:  Early breakfast and a rundown of the day’s activities. We’ll then caravan in appropriate vehicles to the Hermitage Site, where we will work for the day.
• Sunday, 8:00 am: Continue work through the early afternoon, then pack up and head home.  We will try and be back to Tucson around 5pm.

THE WORK
The majority of our work will focus in and around Hermitage Seep, so please be prepared to get very muddy.  We will be using shovels to expand the size of some existing ponds and augmenting a wildlife ramp at an adjacent livestock trough. We will also be working with a variety of native plants.

CAMP LOCATION & DIRECTIONS (From Tucson)
Directions: Detailed driving directions will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event. All roads to the campsite are suitable for passenger vehicles.

Carpooling is encouraged:  SIA will have 1-2 spots in our vehicle for volunteers to tag along, and we are able to caravan.

WHAT TO BRING

• All tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, stoves, etc. that you might bring on any normal car camping trip.  We will have access to bathrooms at the camping site.
• Five meals plus snacks. Drinking water is available at the camping site.
• Sturdy footwear (ex. hiking boots, sandals) plus clothing for wet and cold weather, binoculars, field guides, etc.
• Volunteer Agreement/Waiver – Only needs to be filled out once per calendar year.  Click here to download: https://skyislandalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/VOLUNTEER-WAIVER-AGREEMENT.pdf

PROVIDED BY SIA

• Tools, basic camp kitchen set-up including stove, firewood for camp fire, extra water, cameras, GPS, data sheets, maps.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the trip. Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning to bring your dog.
• Our campsite is fully accessible to campers/large trailers.
• This is a family – friendly trip.  Please let us know ages of any minors who will be joining.