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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 (8am – 3pm)

• 8:00 am: Meet SIA staff bright and early at the large parking lot at the top of Madera Canyon.
• If individuals are interested in caravanning or catching a ride, they can meet SIA staff at the Historic Y at 7:00 am (http://thehistoricy.com/location/). We hope to beat the heat by starting early. There will be no camping on site for this project.
• 2:00 pm: return 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. We will be installing simple rock structures to slow the flow of water across the site and to create perfect spots for native plants to be installed. Today’s work will be a combination of lifting, transporting and placing rocks into place, as well as installing native plants. Volunteers do not need to have prior training to participate.

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 will have 1-2 spots in our vehicle for volunteers to tag along.  Contact Bryon 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.
• Several liters of water per person plus all the food you’ll need for an entire day 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/vol_agreement_waiver.pdf

PROVIDED BY SIA

• Hard hats and gloves.
• Site background and activity instruction.
• Tools and materials: shovels, picks, rock bars, wheelbarrow, plants, buckets, DriWater, chicken wire, rebar…

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This project will be led by Bryon Lichtenhan.  Contact him 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.