Grasslands Wildlife Area pond construction
Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish Department and Wetland Restoration Training LLC, is asking for volunteers to help enhance and restore several ponds on the White Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area near Springerville in eastern Arizona. We will be improving six ponds across the Wildlife Area by installing a lining in the bottoms, which will increase the water availability and permanence to benefit native species such as Chiricahua leopard frogs, Little Colorado River spinedace, and pronghorn.
The requested labor includes removing rocks from the dry pond bottoms, placing and securing liners, and reseeding banks afterwards. Volunteers will be needed April 27- May 17, 2026, but most assistance will be needed during Thursday-Saturday of each week (Apr 30-May 2, May 7-9, and May 14-16). Tools such as shovels, rakes, and work gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have them.
On-site camping is available for free at Grasslands Wildlife Area (bring your own camping gear) for volunteers assisting with the project. Camping will be primitive, with a portable toilet available for use, but no showers or other facilities are guaranteed. For those who prefer lodging, please check hotels in nearby Springerville.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit tinyurl.com/Grasslands-Restoration, or use the QR code below for the sign up form.
Please contact Becca at bcozad@ARCProtects.org with any questions!
Left, volunteers clearing a pond bottom of debris. Right, volunteers placing pond liner