Fire and Water: Assessing Spring Ecosystems and Adapting Management to Respond to Climate Change

This report details the methodology and results of Sky Island Alliance’s two year project to inventory and assess springs in the Upper Santa Cruz River Basin, assess impacts of fire on spring ecosystems, develop a volunteer-based Adopt-A-Spring program to monitor springs, develop an Arizona Springs Restoration Handbook and to develop guidance and strategies to reduce vulnerability of springs to climate change. Report materials include an analysis of the state of springs in the Upper Santa Cruz Basin, an analysis of fire impacts at springs, spring inventory information for each spring surveyed, and management recommendations for springs affected by fire.