SIA: Native Grass Planting at Bar Boot Ranch

Native Grass Planting at Bar Boot Ranch

Join us for a weekend planting native grasses on the Barboot Ranch, in the Leslie Canyon area, Southwest of the Chiricahua Mountains. We will be staying at a ranch building, but you will need camping gear as there are no beds available. This trip is free of charge and no experience is necessary.

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE!

BACKGROUND

For over a year we have been working to control erosion by building rock structures on National Forest lands that abut the Barboot Ranch. Now we have the chance to assist the ranch as they install 30,000 native grass plugs that will also help to control erosion on the landscape, as well as provide resources for wildlife, and for the ranch’s sustainable cattle raising operation.

TRIP SCHEDULE

• Friday, 1:00 pm: Meet SIA staff at OUR NEW OFFICE – 406 S. 4th Avenue (at the corner of 14th in Armory Park). If you will be meeting us at ranch compound, you can join us after 5:00pm – look for the green “SIA” sign off of Leslie Canyon Rd. A detailed map/directions will be sent when the time approaches.
• Saturday, 8:00 am: Early breakfast and a rundown of the day’s activities. We’ll then caravan in appropriate vehicles to Camp Rucker, where we will work for the day.
• Sunday, 8:00 am: Continue work through the early afternoon, then pack up and head home. We will try and be back to Tucson around 5pm.

THE WORK
The purpose of our weekend will be to assist with the mechanized planting of 30,000 native grass plugs. This will include lifting, bending, and kneeling, etc…

CAMP LOCATION & DIRECTIONS (From Tucson)
Directions: Detailed driving directions will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event. Vehicles with high ground clearance and/or 4WD/AWD are recommended, regular cars will not make it back to the campsite!

Carpooling is encouraged: SIA will have 1-2 spots in our vehicle for volunteers to tag along, and we are able to caravan.

WHAT TO BRING
All tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, stoves, etc. that you might bring on any normal car camping trip. We will have access to bathrooms, a kitchen, electricity, and running water at the compound, however there is no cell service available.
Six meals plus snacks. Drinking water is available at the camping site, but please bring refillable water bottles, etc for each day’s work.
Sturdy footwear (ex. hiking boots, sandals) plus clothing for sunny and hot, and wet and cold weather, binoculars, field guides, etc.

PROVIDED BY SIA
Tools, basic camp kitchen set-up including stoves, firewood for camp fire, extra water, cameras, GPS, data sheets, maps.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bryon Lichtenhan: bryon@skyislandalliance.org