RSVP for this trip here.

BACKGROUND

This project will restore a pond for the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog, and Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Sky Island Alliance is working with the US Forest Service to enhance wildlife habitat at the historic Brown Canyon Ranch. The main focus will be the removal of the old “House Pond” liner; an unknown party released a non-native frog into this pond last year, initiating an involved pond-draining project.  This project will be directed by renowned wetland expert Tom Biebighauser.

Brown Canyon Ranch was first settled around 1800 and has passed through the hands of numerous homesteaders and ranchers since then.  In 1998, the property was acquired by the US Forest Service which currently manages the site in collaboration with the Friends of Brown Canyon Ranch, a volunteer organization out of Sierra Vista.  Wild Duck Pond, located on the ranch, is a popular bird watching site in the Huachuca Mountains.

TRIP SCHEDULE

Come for one day or all three! Participants are welcome to either arrive each morning by 9:30 am or camp in the area with us on Monday and/or Tuesday nights.

We have been granted use of the Reef Townsite Group area up Carr Canyon while working on this project. This site at 7,200′ will give us a cool respite from the flats below and is located approximately 40 minutes away from Brown Canyon Ranch. More information will be made available the week leading up to the event.

If you would prefer to caravan with us from Tucson, we will be leaving our offices at around 8:00am and we will spend the full day on the project. For those heading back to Tucson each evening you can expect to be back by around 5:00pm.

THE WORK

This is rated as a moderate event. No hiking is necessary, but participants will be working together to lift heavy items and/or conducting work with shovels and other hand tools. We will be installing a monarch butterfly waystation (http://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/), with native milkweed plants as well as plants for other pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees.

DIRECTIONS FROM TUCSON  (1 hr. 30 min.)
Passenger cars are able to access the work site without difficulty
Carpooling is encouraged

1. Take I-10 east toward El Paso.  Look for exit 302 for AZ-90 S (approx. 37 miles east of Tucson)
2. Continue south on AZ-90 toward Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista
3. Stay on AZ-90 passing through Sierra Vista (approx. 32 miles) turning right on Ramsey Canyon Road
4. Keep going on Ramsey Canyon Road until you pass Calle Metate, soon after that there will be a dirt parking area on the right.
5. Turn into that parking area and follow the road to the ranch.
6. http://www.browncanyonranch.org/directions.html

WHAT TO BRING

• Water, snacks and lunch, sturdy shoes or sandals, long pants, sun screen, hat and sunglasses. Personal camping gear and food if you plan to camp out with us.

PROVIDED BY SIA

• Tools, extra water, and work gloves. Volunteer waiver (or submit ahead of time).