Category Archives: Partners

Federal, state, and local government agencies, conservation organizations and other partners.

BLM Plans Safety and Access Improvements at San Pedro House

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SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Tucson Field Office will construct a permanent fence near the San Pedro House located in the BLM-administered San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near Sierra Vista along Highway 90. The work will occur where a temporary fence was previously installed to protect the visiting public from falling branch hazards from a large Cottonwood tree. Some of the trails in the nearby Demonstration Garden will be surfaced with crushed stone to improve accessibility. The work is planned from Jan. 11 ― Feb. 11.

“The work is necessary to ensure that the public continues to safely visit the San Pedro House and enjoys improved access to the popular area,” said Tucson Field Manager Jayme Lopez.

During the work, the area around the fence, including the Demonstration Garden, will be temporarily unavailable to protect public safety. Temporary fencing will remain, and signs will be posted notifying the public of the work and associated hazards. Access to the popular San Pedro Trail will remain available during construction.

For further information contact the Field Manager, 3201 E. Universal Way, Tucson, Arizona 85756-5021; (520) 258-7200, or Email: blm_az_tfoweb@blm.gov.

List of volunteer services for VSA form

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In order to complete the revised BLM Volunteer Service Agreement form (also available in hardcopy) for fiscal year 2020 starting October 1, 2019, volunteers should check each of the boxes listing the services they plan to provide during the course of the year and then send email to fspr@sanpedroriver.org about how to submit the form.  The volunteer roles associated with those services are described in the pages below:

Volunteer for Wet-Dry Mapping planning!

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Volunteers needed!

Help with Wet-Dry Mapping planning and preparations

Dear Friends,
 
There are two different volunteer opportunities associated with the upcoming Wet-Dry Mapping of the San Pedro River in middle June.  One role is a smaller commitment of time, while the other is more expansive and involves taking on greater responsibility.
First, the Friends are looking for an additional volunteer to help with team packet preparation and in addition meal planning and setup for the dinner for Wet-Dry teams that attend the training event the evening prior to mapping in the field.  This volunteer position reports to the Friends and involves a total of 5-10 hours of time between now and the June mapping event.
 
The second and larger role involves coordinating volunteers between now and June who will join teams in the field in the SPRNCA and upper San Pedro Valley tributaries the day of the mapping event.  See the volunteer position description.  Attendance at several planning meetings is also required.  This position involves a commitment of roughly 50 volunteer hours between now and June.  This volunteer reports to The Nature Conservancy Wet-Dry Mapping event coordinator Brooke Bushman.
 
The actual Wet-Dry Mapping of the San Pedro River will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2020.  The Wet-Dry Training at San Pedro House is scheduled for the day before, namely Friday evening, June 19.
 
If you are interested in one of these two volunteer opportunities, please email fspr@sanpedroriver.org to indicate which one, how much time you could devote between now and June, and what travel or other commitments you have in the next few months.
 
On behalf of the Friends, THANK YOU to all volunteers supporting the river!

The Friends of the San Pedro River

Join Tucson Audubon on the San Pedro

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Join Tucson Audubon Society for two events in September:

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FSPR position on draft RMP

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The BLM has released a draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA). This plan will govern how the SPRNCA will be managed for the next few decades. The Friends has completed a first review of the document and will provide comments to the BLM during meetings and in writing. We would like to share with you our reaction and concerns.

But first, how to find the draft documents…
The draft RMP is available for the public to review and provide comments on the BLM ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xnTuM.  Get involved!  Your opinion counts. Your voice is needed to counter those with influence who are working behind the scenes to undo the work of the last 30 years.

Public meetings on the draft plan are scheduled for:

  • July 30, 5:30-7 p.m., Sierra Vista Police Department, 911 N. Coronado Drive, Sierra Vista, Arizona (Meeting attendees should use the lobby entrance to access the room)
  • Aug. 8, 5:30-7 p.m., Benson Fire Department Station 71, 375 E. 7th Street, Benson, Arizona
  • Aug. 22, 5:30-7 p.m., Sierra Vista Police Department, 911 N. Coronado Drive, Sierra Vista, Arizona  (Meeting attendees should use the lobby entrance to access the room)
  • Aug. 23, 5:30-7 p.m., Pima Community College, 401 N. Bonita Ave., Tucson, Arizona

Public input will shape the final plan, and we encourage you to attend one of the public meetings to learn more about the draft RMP and voice your opinions and suggestions.

Overall assessment. The BLM has been working on this document for several years. We commend them for the completion of this draft and look forward to working towards issuance of a final plan that continues current protection of this precious national resource.  However, we do have significant concerns as discussed below.
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Join the Great Backyard Bird Count!

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Great Backyard Bird Count from February 16 to 19

The Great Backyard Bird Count runs from February 16 to 19

Join a Global Bird Count for The Year of the Bird 
The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place worldwide, February 16 to 19

For Release: February 7, 2018
New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON—The 21st Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place February 16 to 19—in backyards, parks, nature centers, on hiking trails, school grounds, balconies, and beaches. This global event provides an opportunity for bird enthusiasts to contribute important bird population data that help scientists see changes over the past 21 years. To participate, bird watchers count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org.

BLM Announces Re-opening of San Pedro House

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Pruning of Plaza and Bailey, the two Fremont Cottonwoods at San Pedro House, has been completed and the house and the surrounding area are once again open to the public.  All walks and other activities planned for the area will resume today, November 5.

We appreciate everyone’s patience as BLM and the contractor hired to complete this project have worked to ensure the safety of the public as well as prolong the lives of these two magnificent trees. 

Come out to San Pedro House soon to see Plaza and Bailey with their new “haircuts” for yourselves!

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BLM Announces Temporary Closure of San Pedro House and Surrounding Area

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The Bureau of Land Management has notified us that pruning of the two large cottonwood trees near San Pedro House will begin Monday, October 16, and will require that San Pedro House and the surrounding area be closed to the public for up to three weeks.

Saturday River Walks scheduled for October 21 and 28 have been cancelled. The Bird Walks scheduled for October 28 and November 1 have also been canceled.

Please consider visiting some of the other recreation areas in the SPRNCA during this period, such as Millville, Fairbank, and Murray Springs.

History walks scheduled October 21 at Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate and October 28 at Grand Central Mill will not be affected by this closure. We hope to see you there!

Call to Action – Act now to help the Conservation Lands Foundation protect the Bears Ears National Monument

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The Trump Administration has issued an Executive Order calling for “review” of national monuments – starting with Bears Ears National Monument – to determine whether or redraw boundaries, reduce protections or even rescind designation for our most diverse and inclusive national monuments.

Since the Antiquities Act went into effect in 1906, millions of acres of environmentally, culturally, and historically important lands in the US have been protected for the enjoyment of generations to come.  Without the constant vigilance of groups such as the Conservation Lands Foundation, there is a very real possibility that these lands could be removed from protected status.

Locally, the Conservation Lands Foundation has provided direct support to the Friends of the San Pedro River by funding the Executive Director position for two years and development of our strategic plan.  This is a chance to reward their support of us by helping to protect our National Conservation Lands including the Bears Ears!

Please consider acting now to help protect Bears Ears by clicking here to submit a public comment.  The comment period is only open until May 26, so please act quickly.

If you wish to make a donation to defend our national monuments, you may click here to make a contribution to the Conservation Lands Foundation to help them continue the fight to protect our national lands.

Donate to AZGF to help Sandhill Cranes this winter!

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We have learned that the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area is without sufficient funds to pump enough water to provide protection for the Sandhill Cranes that call WWD home for the winter.  Many of our members will be concerned about Whitewater Draw and the Sandhill Cranes, so we are forwarding this request for donations.  The Tucson office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department has created a special account to help mitigate this problem.  This is a first for the AZGF and illustrates how dire the situation is.  
 
If you can help with a donation, just access the donation form, print it out, complete and sign the form, and mail it with your check.  Please mark only the first box, Whitewater Draw Groundwater Pumping and Habitat Maintenance, to be sure your donation goes directly to the groundwater pumping effort.  When you send in your checks make sure you note on the envelope and on the check:   ATTENTION, CINDY PEREZ. 
 
A donation of $100 automatically enters you into a drawing for a two night stay at Battiste Bed, Breakfast, and Birds, good through 2017, based on availability.  A donation for every multiple of $100 will give you more chances to win.  For example, a $500 donation equals five chances!!!
 
Thanks to our good friends Tony and Julie Battiste for alerting us to this situation and for their generous offer of a chance to stay at their beautiful bed and breakfast.
 
And in other news…..
 
SAVE THE DATE: We understand that the Bureau of Land Management might hold a public scoping meeting on January 10, 2017 about the Environmental Assessment for the cottonwoods at San Pedro House. We’ll provide more details when we have them.