Santa Cruz River Restoration Project--Tucson Audubon Society

Santa Cruz River at Martin Farm
Habitat Restoration Site

Tucson Audubon, in cooperation with the City of Tucson, is enhancing wildlife habitat along the lower Santa Cruz River in northern Pima County. The project site includes a riparian zone fed by effluent from Tucson, adjacent former mesquite bosque and an upper area of creosote flats. Project personnel produced a site assessment and plan, and work began in the fall of 2006. In addition to planting, seeding and fighting invasives, erosion control features have been constructed.

Regular monitoring surveys are now being conducted at the restoration site. Avian surveys already show a good number of southern Arizona bird species that are utilizing the site. Many of these species, such as Abert's Towhee, Bell's Vireo and Loggerhead Shrike are already or may become threatened by the loss of this kind of riparian habitat.

In addition to bird surveys, plant monitoring at Martin is showing great early success. While not in the ground a year yet, plants put in by the restoration crew have a 74% survival rate and a 74% growth rate. Particularly encouraging is the growth in the former "bosque" area where a good number of medium sized velvet mequites were already present. In a few years, this area will be excellent bird habitat containing a greater diversity of plant, shrub and grass species.

Habitat changes following revegatation

Bosque toward river - Jan 2007	Bosque toward river - Aug 2007
Low channel and creosote - Jan 2007	Low channel and creosote - Aug 2007
Middle terrace toward creosote - Jan 2007	Middle terrace toward creosote - Aug 2007

This site is posted no trespassing, and can be accessed only during official Tucson Audubon events led by Tucson Audubon staff members.

Volunteers: For more information, or if you would like to be on our volunteer list, call Kendall Kroesen at (520) 206-9900.