This fall you can have the best of both worlds in the Santa Rita Mountains.

Join us in Madera Canyon for a bird and nature walk, then we’ll spend the rest of the morning taking care of our restoration plantings. Register below!

Monday, October 26th

BACKGROUND

If you’ve been down to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains recently, you may have noticed that there are two new bridges near the trailheads. We are working with the Coronado National Forest, Borderlands Restoration, and Friends of Madera Canyon to restore ecosystem function at the site. Come out and help stabilize this beautiful canyon (and birding hotspot) just an hour south of Tucson.

PROJECT SCHEDULE (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

• 8:00 a.m.: Meet SIA staff bright and early at the large parking lot at the top of Madera Canyon for an interesting stroll through the area.
• If individuals are interested in caravanning or catching a ride, they can meet SIA staff at 7:00 a.m. at OUR NEW OFFICE – 406 S. 4th Avenue (at the corner of 14th in Armory Park). There will be no camping on site for this project.
• 12:00 p.m.: Load up and head back to Tucson.

THE WORK

Our work is designed to prevent erosion from the construction site into Madera Creek, and to re-establish native vegetation on the site. During these visits to the canyon, the day’s work will be a combination of installing native plants, watering and mulching the plants we’ve installed earlier this summer, and removing invasive vinca from the forest understory. Volunteers do not need to have prior training to participate and SIA will provide all tools necessary.

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

• From Tucson, head south on I-19 to Green Valley. Exit at Continental Road (exit 63) and follow the road east as it turns into White House Canyon Road. Follow signs to the recreation area.
• Carpooling is encouraged: SIA may have 1-2 spots in our vehicle for volunteers to tag along. Contact us to make arrangements.

WHAT TO BRING

• IMPORTANT: United States Forest Service requires participants to come dressed in long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes for this project. Failure to comply means you will not be able to work with us.
• Water and any snacks/lunch you might need for a morning working outside.
• Sturdy footwear (ex. hiking boots) with closed toes is encouraged as is sun protection (ex. wide-brimmed hat, sunblock)
• 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

• Hard hats, vests, and gloves.
• Site background and activity instruction.
• Tools and materials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This project will be led by a rotating cast of SIA staff members. Contact us in advance with any questions at [email protected] or 520-624-7080, ext. 27.
• Snake season is upon us! Please be careful when placing hands and feet; notify staff of any hazards as soon as possible.
• Dogs are not allowed on this project.