Huachuca Riparian Inventory
The Landscape Restoration Program is dedicated to restoration of
native species, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and natural
evolutionary processes in the Sky Island region. We work in cooperation
with government agencies and landowners to decrease habitat
fragmentation and restore watersheds. We also work to promote the
return of natural fire regimes to restore healthy ecosystems, promote
policy and action aimed at reducing the introduction and spread of
non-native species, engage in on-the-ground restoration activities in
important habitats, and promote reintroduction of extirpated (locally
extinct) wildlife and plants.
In turn we hope our activities will increase public understanding and
appreciation of the Sky Island region and develop a land ethic and
sense of place among the region's residents to support our broader
vision for conservation, enhance education and public outreach
activities, including greater collaboration with environmental
educators and universities, and increase the size and diversity of our
volunteer base.
Riparian Restoration
The Riparian Restoration Program was initiated in 2004 to address
the urgent conservation need to protect and restore the Sky Island's
dwindling riparian resources. The listing of the Chiricahua leopard
frog as a threatened species opened the opportunity to engender
cooperative approaches to conservation of this embattled amphibian.
The goals of the program are to effectively use our expertise,
cooperator networks and volunteers to promote, plan and implement
restoration activities on private and public lands. Specifically we
bring technical know-how and a dedicated volunteer workforce to the
collection of essential baseline information and planning comprehensive
restoration, while bringing diverse interests together to protect
native species and ecosystems.
The program is working in three main areas:
> The Huachuca Mountains, Canelo Hills and San
Rafael Valley -Working on a watershed based ecosystem management
planning process in cooperation with the Forest Service. Pilot projects
are planned for 2007 to protect a montane stream, spring and
ciénega complex from erosion, and the control of non-native
bullfrogs to enhance habitat for the Chiricahua leopard frog, the
Mexican garter snake, an endangered salamander, an endangered plant and
many other native critters.
> The Peloncillo Mountains -Working with
private landowners, the Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife and New
Mexico Game and Fish to protect an extant population of the Chiricahua
leopard frog and to restore natural hydrology to two ciénegas
and a very rare desert grassland creek.
> Araviapa Canyon -Working with the
Arizona Native Plant Society, the BLM and the Nature Conservancy to
eradicate exotic species in Araviapa Canyon.
For more information please contact Christopher Morris at 520 624-7080 x24 or
email christopher@skyislandalliance.org
Closure of the Fresno Gap in Las Cienegas
Upland Restoration
The Upland Restoration Program was initiated in 1999 to address the
urgent conservation issue of increasing off-road vehicle use and abuse,
and the creation of illegal user-created roads in the Sky Islands.
The goals of the program are to effectively use our expertise,
cooperator networks and volunteers to promote, plan and implement
restoration activities on private and public lands. Specifically we
bring technical know-how and a dedicated volunteer workforce to the
closure of unnecessary and damaging roads and the restoration of the
roadbed and natural drainage patterns. This protects native species and
ecosystems by decreasing fragmentation, erosion, harassment and
destruction.
The program is working in one main area across two different land
management agencies:
> The Santa Rita Mountains and Las Cienegas
National Conservation Area -Working with the BLM, Forest
Service, stakeholders and landowners we are decreasing road densities,
protecting upland and riparian habitat, and repairing damage caused by
ORVs and wildland roads.
> See more photos from the field!
Program Staff
Christopher Morris, Conservation Assistant, Landscape Restoration Program, christopher@skyislandalliance.org
The Landscape Restoration Program is supported by the generosity of our members and volunteers, and through these fine organizations and entities:
