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Tucson Audubon Society
Future Santa Cruz River & Rillito Wildlife Habitat
by Kendall Kroesen, (520) 206-9900

(Reprinted from the February 2003 Vermilion Flycatcher, newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society. To receive the Vermilion Flycatcher, become a member of the Friends of Tucson Audubon.)

In 1951 Herbert Brandt published Arizona and Its Bird Life, based on travels in Arizona between 1935 and 1948. He described four "major ornithological areas" in the Santa Cruz River watershed: "Old Fort Lowell and Rillito Creek; Fort Crittenden and Sonoita Creek; the grand mesquite forest and the adjacent Santa Cruz River; and Madera Canyon." Of these four areas, only Madera Canyon and Sonoita Creek retain a semblance of their former bird diversity. The other two, Rillito Creek and the Santa Cruz bottomlands, are now dry washes mostly devoid of vegetation.

However, now there is room for limited optimism about the future of wildlife habitat and birding opportunities in these two areas. I will describe the reasons for this after a review of the habitat that has been lost in these areas.

Brandt could hardly contain his enthusiasm when recounting his spring, 1945 explorations of the Rillito. He described "haughty cottonwoods that tower along its margin, either in groves or strung out as scattered individuals. Mingled with the cottonwoods is an understory of open shrubbery consisting mostly of mesquite, baccharis (desert broom), willows, and numbers of dense, desert elderberry, some so lush that they seem strangely out of place in their dry, sandy setting." He also joyfully described the birds he saw there, including herons, egrets, vireos, warblers, yellowthroats, orioles, towhees, sparrows, buntings, and others.

Brandt was equally effusive about the Santa Cruz River, south of Tucson. Until the early decades of the 20th century water flowed in the river (and associated irrigation canals) stretching from the San Xavier—Martinez Hill area north to Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain). Green fields, willow-lined canals, and cottonwood trees created an inviting place for birds. In addition, to the south there was a "noble woodland of mighty mesquite trees" which "bordered both banks of the Santa Cruz for a number of miles and appeared to be four or five miles in width at its broadest part." Brandt described it as "the only important trace of semitropical forest cover that [he] encountered in southeastern Arizona."

These two "ornithological areas" have experienced terrible degradation during the last 50 years. The Santa Cruz mesquite forest and agricultural canals are gone, and the Rillito sports only the occasional mesquite or cottonwood. The same kind of degradation has visited many other riparian areas in southern Arizona. This is a reminder that the decline of environmental and agricultural resources is not only something that futurists warn about, but a process that is well underway and which is currently harming our economy and quality of life.

Ironically, riparian degradation has coincided with the vast growth of public interest in wildlife viewing, especially bird watching. According to the National Audubon Society, in a 1997 survey bird watching ranked second only to gardening as the United States’ most popular hobby. In a 1990 survey, twice as many vacationers preferred bird watching as those who preferred golf. In 1985 there were just 5 birding festivals across the country; in 1997, there were more than 60 (see www.audubon.org/campaign/refuge/econbird.html).

The real irony is that while resources for other pastimes and sports have increased along with their popularity (soccer fields, little league diamonds, skating rinks, etc.), resources for those interested in birding have declined.

This brings us to our reasons for limited optimism. A combination of factors has produced several habitat restoration projects along the Santa Cruz River and the Rillito. One factor is the public’s desire for more urban open space. A second is a willingness by planners (including Rio Nuevo planners) to use Tucson’s past, including its ecological past, as a theme in urban renewal. Finally, there is a growing awareness among public agencies of both the inherent value of wildlife habitat and its economic value in the face of growing public interest in wildlife viewing.

Water resources for habitat restoration are scarce now that groundwater has been pumped unsustainably for so many decades, lowering the once near-surface water table. But restoration is conceivable even on a very low water budget. Possible sources of water include CAP, effluent (treated wastewater), reclaimed water (effluent that has been filtered and disinfected, but that is not safe for body contact), and rainwater. Currently demonstrated by Tucson Audubon’s Santa Cruz River Habitat Project (see below), many kinds of restored habitat can be sustained on harvested rainwater with minimal inputs of water from other sources in the early stages of planting. Lusher (hydroriparian) areas, however, would require the introduction of effluent or reclaimed water. Because ground water is potable and CAP water is potentially potable, they are generally considered less desirable for hydroriparian restoration.

The following is a quick review of current and potential future restoration efforts.

Starting at the south end of the area that Brandt talked about, the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation has begun planting a wide variety of trees and wetland plants in a low area adjacent to the riverbed, near Martinez Hill. The vast riparian environment, once a pillar of their economy and a part of their lore, was taken from them. Residents see the creation of this small, arborescent wetland area as an opportunity to recover some of that environment. During the summer of 2002 when the water was turned on to the wetland area, it was only a matter of days before swallows and martins began swooping in for a drink, and frogs started croaking! (Birders are reminded that access here is restricted to residents of the Tohono O’odham Nation.)

Moving north along the Santa Cruz River is the former agricultural plain stretching from San Xavier to Sentinel Peak. This area includes both the main river drainage and the "West Branch," where the county has recently purchased land found to contain remnant habitat and threatened species. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pima County, and the City of Tucson are involved in the planning of this project. It is called "El Paseo de las Iglesias" (Walk of the Churches) for the historic passage between mission churches – San Xavier and San Agustin – that are located at either end of the project area. Still in its formative stages, the project may include restoration of perennial flow and associated riparian habitat in the river. The water source has yet to be identified  – CAP, effluent, reclaimed water, and harvested rainwater have all been mentioned. The county is addressing protection and possible restoration of its land along the West Branch.

At the north end of El Paseo de las Iglesias sits the envisioned site of the Tucson Origins Cultural Park, part of the Rio Nuevo downtown revitalization project. Two teams of planners are currently competing to design the park, which will commemorate the historic Convento San Agustin and its associated cultural, natural, and agricultural environment. Depending on the design of the project, it could involve improvements in habitat for birds and other wildlife. Final presentations of two groups competing for this design took place on January 21, and Rio Nuevo planners are currently deliberating. Now would be a good time to let your city council members know of your interest in seeing restored habitat as a part of this project.

Down stream from Paseo de las Iglesias sits Christopher Columbus Park. It is located across the river from the Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant and stretches northwest for over a mile. Currently only the south end of the park is developed, with a good deal of the rest containing native or degraded native vegetation.

City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department is currently formulating a master plan for the development of the park. The plan currently focuses more on soccer and softball fields than on habitat protection and restoration. Parks and Rec has included some habitat restoration in the plan (bordering the river along the east side of the park). But unlike the playing fields, the habitat restoration has not yet received any funding. Planning here is in a critical stage, so contacting your city and county representatives would be very useful. Significant habitat restoration in this area – if done properly – could widen and vastly improve habitat along the adjacent, effluent-dominated riparian area that has sprung up along the Santa Cruz River.

The Cortaro Mesquite Bosque is an 80-acre Pima Flood Control District project in northwest Tucson along the west side of the Santa Cruz River near Continental Ranch (near the north end of the Tucson Mountains). Like the Columbus Park area, the river here has an effluent-induced strip of riparian vegetation, and the adjacent project area has the potential to widen existing habitat.

Though delayed due to water negotiations, the project is now going forward with the design of an irrigation system using effluent pumped from the river. Restoration plans involve islands of thick vegetation (mesquite, desert willow, cottonwood, etc., with an understory of shrubs) separated by areas planted mostly in grasses. A seven-acre area will be designed as a kind of marsh, but with marsh water being entirely subterranean in order to avoid mosquito infestation.

There will be public access to this site via trails. In combination with potential habitat improvements in the river zone itself (see Tres Rios del Norte, below), habitat restoration at this site could produce vastly improved habitat for birds and other wildlife – and another destination for birders.

The Town of Marana has recently adopted a Santa Cruz River Corridor management plan. In a general way it addresses a variety of uses of the corridor including wildlife habitat, trails, and cultural/historical resources. Specific plans for the river corridor in Marana are now being developed in coordination with the Tres Rios del Norte project (see below).

Pima County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently have funding for a feasibility study for flood control, groundwater recharge, and environmental restoration along the Santa Cruz River in the area from Prince Road north to Sanders Road. Habitat restoration along this vast corridor could greatly enhance resources for the migratory and nesting birds that depend on riparian habitat. In addition, some of this restoration could take place in the river corridor adjacent to Christopher Columbus Park and the Cortaro Mesquite Bosque, creating a synergy with those efforts.

Tres Rios del Norte will probably depend exclusively on the tens of thousands of gallons of effluent that are discharged daily from the Roger Road and Ina Road Wastewater Treatment Plants, while also enhancing the recharge of these waters. This project is entering a critical public comment phase. Watch the Flycatcher for information about how to support habitat restoration in this area.

Several projects are being planned along the Rillito and its tributaries. One, "Rillito Recharge and Habitat Restoration," calls for wetlands and riparian habitat along the south bank of the Rillito, west of Swan Road. It is slated to use reclaimed water, cycling through the wetlands.

At Fort Lowell officials are considering a riparian project that would enhance existing cottonwood and pecan groves, and that would create or modify a wetland that would discharge into a stream. In addition, a plan is being considered to release reclaimed water in both Ventana and Sabino Washes to enhance existing riparian vegetation. Another plan being considered is to extend reclaimed water to Forty-niner Golf Course to replace groundwater use, including discharge into Tanque Verde Creek to improve riparian resources there.

The Army Corps and Pima County Flood Control are also in the planning stages of the Rio Antiguo Habitat Restoration Project, located along the Rillito between Campbell Avenue and Alvernon Way. With the help of Novak Environmental, Inc., they have collected initial citizen input. Public recommendations include restoration of native vegetation, using reclaimed water, possible seasonal cienagas using harvested rainwater, enhanced trails and equestrian access, interpretive signage, and improving visual impact. The Army Corps and Pima County will continue to plan and to invite public input—watch for opportunities to get involved.

Perhaps the best-known project in the Rillito watershed was at Agua Caliente Park. Pima County and the Army Corps publicized several alternative plans for restoration of cienaga-like wetlands to harbor several threatened plant and animal species, including the lowland leopard frog. This project encountered stiff opposition from a group of local residents, which sought to protect the current configuration of the park (dominated by ponds that, unfortunately, harbor mostly non-native fish and amphibian species). Late-breaking news is that the county has decided not to go forward with the project.

Tucson Audubon’s Santa Cruz River Habitat Project, in northern Pima County, is the most northerly of the Santa Cruz River restoration projects. It has been described many times in the Flycatcher (information archived at www.tucsonaudubon.org/conservation/scriver.htm). Here it will suffice to say that Tucson Audubon is using innovative techniques to restore wildlife habitat along the river and adjacent former farm fields. There will several opportunities this winter and spring to visit the project, including a public tour on February 26; volunteer workdays on February 7-8 & March 7-8, and a birding fieldtrip on April 26. Call Ann Phillips or Kendall Kroesen at (520) 206-9900 for details about any of these opportunities. Also, hear Ann and Kendall speak about habitat restoration at the February 10 membership meeting (see back page).

Many of these projects are in their formative stage, with many interest groups competing to realize their visions. City, county, state, and federal legislators can all bring influence to bear. Let them know that you want the above-mentioned public projects to maximize restoration of wildlife habitat and access for birders. In addition, advocate for wise use of water resources within these projects (they can all benefit from the harvesting of rainwater and runoff as part of their restoration strategy). Contact information for legislators is on pages 4 and 5 of the Flycatcher. The most efficient way to influence your representatives is to call or fax them (see accompanying story). You may also keep in touch with Ann Phillips and Kendall Kroesen at the Tucson Audubon Habitat Restoration Office (520-206-9900). They are tracking the progress of each of the projects mentioned above.

In our lifetime we will not see full restoration of the places that provided Herbert Brandt with so much delight. But these projects could represent small steps in that direction. They can provide wildlife, and birders, with more resources in the urban Tucson area. Call your legislators today and let them know that habitat restoration is a legitimate and productive use of public funds!

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This page was updated on 07/13/06