Other Information
SE
Arizona Rare
Bird Alert
(520) 798-1005
Report
Rare Birds
(520) 798-1005
Email
a report
Nature Shop
(520) 629-0510
Agua Caliente Shop
(520) 760-7881
Mason Audubon
Center
(520) 744-0004
Membership
(520) 629-0757
AZ IBA Program
(520) 628-1730
Education Program
(520) 622-2230
Habitat Restoration
(520) 206-9900
Development
(520) 622-5622
Executive Director
(520) 622-5622
|
Habitat Restoration Home | Santa Cruz River Habitat Project | IBA Program | | Public lands | Conservation home |
Tucson Audubon Society
Santa Cruz River Habitat Project gets State Funding for Second
Phase of Habitat Restoration
|
|
Riparian habitat is an important focus of the "strategic plan" Tucson Audubon developed in 2001. The Santa Cruz River Habitat Project is a Tucson Audubon program to enhance riparian habitat along the effluent-dominated lower Santa Cruz River, for the benefit of birds and other wildlife.
As the Tucson area developed over the last century, groundwater levels declined and much of the formerly dense riparian habitat along the Santa Cruz disappeared. The treated effluent that flows downstream from Pima County’s Roger Road and Ina Road treatment plants in Tucson provides an opportunity to reverse some of these losses. Along that flow a narrow ribbon of riparian vegetation (willows, cottonwoods, and other trees and shrubs) has emerged naturally. At the project site northwest of Marana, we have planted thousands of native seedlings and sowed thousands of pounds of native seed since 2001. These efforts are helping widen the band of vegetation along the river, and improving the diversity, structure and wildlife value of the habitat.
This fall we will be at it again! Tucson Audubon has received a second phase of funding from the Arizona Water Protection Fund to restore an additional 25 acres along the southwest side of the river, adjacent to the 20 acres of restoration funded by our first grant from AWPF. As with the first grant received in 2001, this current grant will fund restoration, monitoring, and public outreach activities for a three-year period.
|
|
Regular bird, vegetation and photographic monitoring is tracking the progress of restoration work at the site. Bird surveyors were encouraged this spring and summer by an attempted nesting of Swainson’s Hawks and the presence of Yellow-billed Cuckoos at the site. As willow and cottonwoods continue to grow, there will be more raptor nesting attempts. Over three prior summers only one Yellow-billed Cuckoo was sighted, and it did not appear to stay. This summer several were detected. Next summer a more specialized cuckoo survey will be conducted to determine more information about their nesting status.
As restoration activities gear up this fall and winter, we will have lots of opportunities for volunteers to help dig rainwater harvesting basins, install drip lines, plant seedlings, place cottonwood poles, and distribute seed. Volunteer days are listed in an adjacent box. Call or email us if you would like to receive announcements about upcoming volunteer activities through our email list.
You can also see the site during guided birding trips and guided restoration tours. In addition to the tour dates listed in the box, we can arrange additional visits for groups who are interested. Our contact information is in the box. This fall and winter will be a great time to see what Tucson Audubon is doing to help restore riparian habitat.
Bird questions? Check Birding | General questions? Contact: Tucson Audubon Society | Webmaster: Email
This page was updated on 02/22/06