Newsletter Archives

WINTER 2004 Newsletter

DEPRESSION ERA FACILIITIES IN SABINO CANYON 

Kathy Makansi, Archaeologist Coronado National Forest

Have you ever wondered who built the many historic facilities in Sabino Canyon ? It was the young men hired during Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration under programs to combat unemployment from the Great Depression. A number of relief agencies worked on various improvements within the Canyon and the different types of facilities are as unique as each of the agencies. When Federal relief funds and labor became available during the Great Depression, it was natural that the site at the confluence of Rattlesnake Canyon and Sabino Canyon should be the first to be improved with picnic and camping facilities. Plans drawn in early 1934 proposed developing the area from Rattlesnake Canyon to what is now known as the “flood gate” by installing tables, fireplaces, registry boxes, and other improvements. Many of these still exist today, and they are among the oldest surviving Depression-era features in the canyon. Agencies involved include the Emergency Relief Administration, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Road work was begun by the Emergency Relief Administration (ERA) in 1934. Workers for the ERA extended the road beyond the floodgate beginning in October 1934, and they built the first bridge shortly thereafter. All the bridges were called “check dams” in the 1930s, and each was intended both to create a recreational pool and to provide a stream crossing for the road. The bridges were constructed of native stone with a dip in the center for overflow during floods. The second, third and fourth bridges, all completed by 1935, were built by ERA labor. The first and second bridges were made of solid masonry but the design was changed for the third bridge. The new design used masonry walls with rock fill.

Workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) took over the upper section of the road in 1935. Bridges five through nine were built by the WPA, although only bridges five and six still have WPA plaques on them. Meanwhile, The ERA laborers shifted their operations to Lower Sabino where they constructed many recreational facilities, including the dam in Lower Sabino Canyon . This dam was begun in 1937 and was dedicated the following year. The third group to work within Sabino Canyon was the Civilian Conservation Corps. Members of the CCC were responsible for construction of the Lowell Ranger Station, Ranger's Residence, and Garage/Tack Room between 1933 and 1937. The Lowell Administrative Complex had been little altered since their construction and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the Ranger Station had fallen into such disrepair that the District was considering tearing it down. But with help from the Friends of Sabino Canyon, what was once a decrepit building has become valuable (and prized) office space on the District. Beginning in 2001, the Friends of Sabino Canyon donated $40,000 in matching funds to restore the Lowell Ranger Station. In 2002 and 2003 the Friends donated an additional $33,000 to stabilize the Garage/Tack Room and upgrade the electrical system. These contributions enabled historic building experts from the Coronado National Forest and Tumacacori National Historic Park to restore the Lowell Administrative Site to its approximate 1930s condition. The partnership between the Friends of Sabino Canyon, the Forest Service, and Tumacacori NHP created an opportunity to stabilize and restore one of the best- preserved CCC-era adobe ranger station complexes in the nation.

The Lowell Complex is not the only historic structure in Sabino Canyon that has suffered from neglect. We would like to invite the Friends of Sabino Canyon to help us repair and restore more of the historic facilities in the Canyon, the preservation of which will be an enduring legacy in Sabino Canyon . reasured by so many, Sabino Canyon connects us to the natural world. For some, it is where we go for an early morning bike ride, end of the workday jog, or challenging weekend hike. And for others, it serves as a wonderful setting for a family outing or picnic with friends or out-of-town guests. But the impact of over 1.5 million visitors a year on this precious resource is very significant. Federal funding alone cannot keep pace with the emerging problems that stem from its year-round public use.

Summer/Fall 2004 Newsletter

FOSC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE WITH YOUR SUPPORT:

SABINO BASIN

POST FIRE TRAIL

REHABILITATION $18,500.00

POST FIRE

HABITAT RESEARCH

OF SABINO CANYON

BAT SPECIES $4,000.00

GATEWAY PROJECT -

PLAZA ENTRANCE

FACILITIES $125,000.00

LOWELL HOUSE

RESTORATION $48,000.00

VISITOR CENTER

EXHIBITS $35,000.00

CACTUS PICNIC

AREA RAMADAS $31,000.00

DRINKING WATER PROVISIONS

AT STOP 8 $26,000.

President's Message

Over the past few months, messages about the recent closure of Sabino Canyon and the state Game and Fish Department's ensuing hunt for mountain lions have filled the Friends' email inbox. A number of the messages blamed us for the situation, perhaps misunderstanding our role as an independent non-profit which plays no part in the day-to-day management of the Canyon.

The mountain lion controversy exposed weaknesses on a number of levels. It polarized our community into two hostile camps, pitting those concerned with possible risks to the safety of the canyon's human visitors against those concerned with the welfare of its animals. There was a lack of effective communication, and a lack of willingness to listen. And the inconclusive outcome can have been satisfying to no-one.

The balance between human enjoyment of the canyon and its preservation as habitat for the many wondrous plants and creatures that live there is a delicate one. Exactly where to strike that balance will always be a matter of some contention. But as Friends of Sabino Canyon, I hope that we can agree to respect our fellow users of the canyon, whether winged or wheeled, four legged or two, and engage in open and constructive dialogue whenever

disagreements arise.

Jonathan Pinkney-Baird

President

Friends of Sabino Canyon

WILDLIFE WATCH

SABINO CANYON BAT UPDATE

by Debbie C. Buecher

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has an amazing diversity of bat species. Riparian corridors often provide diverse wildlife with necessary resources and this is even more striking within an arid environment. Prior to our 2-year study (2002-2003) to evaluate bat-use along Sabino Creek, there had been twelve bat species documented from Sabino Canyon . Our study added 5 more species but also elucidated how different species use the riparian corridor to partition resources and reduce competition. Because competition over limited resources is regarded as energetically costly to both species, it is here that we would expect the greatest opportunity to observe natural selection exerting forces to reduce competition. Two species might forage in different habitats or at different elevations (spatial separation) within the same habitat to reduce competition. In addition, animals might forage at different times (temporal separation) to partition resources. Behavioral adaptations such as these allow species to divide resources and ultimately reduce competition in nature. The second phase of our study will now observe how animals respond to an altered landscape in Sabino Canyon after two wildfires affected the upper watershed of Sabino Creek.

Fire is a natural phenomenon on the landscape. However, when we alter the normal cycle of fire, or worse yet, increase natural fuel loads, we should anticipate difficulties. Tucson , Arizona made national news the past two summers as large forest fires (Bullock 2002 and Aspen 2003) raged in the Coronado National Forest , Santa Catalina Mountains . Initially these fires had little direct impact upon Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, because both fires burned primarily at higher elevations. However, long term impacts to the watershed were felt when monsoon storm runoff carried tons of sediment and ash down the mountain and deposited it in pools upstream of historic rock roadway bridges along Sabino Canyon . Once the creek stops flowing, water normally pooling behind the bridges will sink into these sediments and become unavailable for wildlife. Because we have two years of pre-fire data for comparison, in 2004 we have plans to continue our monitoring study to evaluate bat-use of this modified riparian corridor. This opportunity to compare how bats respond to an altered habitat will provide land-use planners with knowledge for making informed resource management decisions.

DID YOU KNOW THESE BATTY FACTS?

Bats are the only mammals to have achieved true self-powered flight. They are the second most diverse group of mammals on earth. In the US , there are 45 different bat species and here in Arizona , we have 28.

As it flies across open water, the bat swoops low and dredges up water in its dangling lower jaw to reduce its thirst.

Most bats also possess a system of acoustic orientation, often called "bat radar," but technically known as echolocation.

Bats are in serious decline nearly everywhere. Forty percent of the bats in the US and Canada are endangered or candidates for such status. Even small disturbances in their habitat can seriously threaten their survival. The most significant causes of premature bat death, however, are the activities of people.

TRAIL REPAIR & ASPEN FIRE RECOVERY

Friends of Sabino Canyon is contributing $18,500 to The Coronado National Forest in support of trail repair work for trails impacted by the Aspen Fire in the lower elevation of the Santa Catalina Ranger District. Now more than ever, your tax-deductible contribution makes a difference in the fight to protect the canyon. The Aspen and Bullock Fires blackened large areas of the Santa Catalinas, and insufficient funds continue to threaten this important natural resource. In preparation of projected continued drought and upcoming fire seasons, there is much to be done for recovery, habitat restoration and prevention of wildfires.

The Santa Catalina Trail Crew workers are intent on stabilizing much of the Sabino Canyon trail system. The Aspen Fire scarred much of the landscape of the Santa Catalina Ranger District and many miles of trail corridors to the extent that ash flows, woody debris, and run-off from heavy rains made segments of trail tread within the Sabino Canyon trail system unsafe and indiscernible to canyon visitors. In addition, some areas of trail tread virtually slide off the side of the mountain, and total tread reconstruction must take place. To give you an idea of the magnitude of this project, the task at hand incorporates approximately 20 miles of fire-damaged trails the crew has targeted for repair in the Sabino Basin Area. In order to mitigate trail related problems the Santa Catalina Trail Crew needs to remove debris and many larger downed trees from trails by hand. Then using picks, shovels, and rakes they must rebuild damaged trail tread segments. This task is a big undertaking for a crew of four. Past work experience gained during Bullock Fire trail rehabilitation efforts had some overwhelming trail repair work beyond typical trail maintenance work, and for this reason, funding for a larger crew is needed to help facilitate this trail rehabilitation task. The trail crew leader has identified the above Sabino Basin Trails as the most utilized by those who visit the Sabino Canyon Area. The crewís main repair emphasis is to improve fire damaged trail corridor for a safe hiking experience. The crew leader plans to keep the trail crew in the field during the cooler months, and have ready by late spring a rehabilitated Sabino Basin Trail System for visitors and the Friends of Sabino Canyon to utilize for wilderness hiking and interpretation enjoyment. The rehabilitation of burned lands is now underway but will take time. Can we count on your support to protect this treasured ecosystem for future generations? Thank you for your community based support. Visit our website and donate online: www.sabinocanyon.org or mail your donation to:

FRIENDS OF SABINO CANYON

P.O. Box 31265 " Tucson , AZ 85751

ATTN: Aspen Fire Recovery Fund

After THE ASPEN FIRE

By Heidi Schewel - Santa Catalina Ranger District

Anyone who was in Tucson or the surrounding areas during June and July of 2003 is only too aware of the Aspen Fire, which burned 84,750 acres and consumed 333 structures in the Santa Catalina Mountains (see ìFire in the Forest and Gradual Rebirth, Aspen Fire Contained in Santa Catalinasî Friends of Sabino Canyon newsletter, Fall/Winter 2003). While fire is a natural component of forest ecosystems, this fire burned a relatively large area over a relatively long period of time, due in part to extended drought, an overstocked forest, and the related poor condition of the trees and other vegetation present. It also altered the landscapes, natural and man-made, on a mountain held near and dear to the hearts of many Tucsonans and visitors to the Southwest. As is typical, the fire burned in a ìmosaic pattern,î leaving some areas severely burned, some areas untouched by fire, and various degrees of burn severity throughout the remainder. In many locations the forest as we know it has been greatly changed, bringing ecological consequences as well as aesthetic concerns.

There has been much mourning over the ìlossî of Mt. Lemmon , but fire is no newcomer to the Santa Catalina Mountains . Forests burn and forests recover. Regeneration began even before the onset of the monsoons, which greatly accelerated growth and re-growth. Burned hillsides were soon green and lush with a profusion of herbaceous (non-woody) plants, some of which sprang from roots and seeds already present in the soil, others being seeded from aircraft for erosion control and soil stabilization. Oak, juniper, aspen and New Mexico locust trees re-sprouted from their roots and trunks. Theîre-greeningî is underway. Mt. Lemmon is recovering from the fire.

The areas that will remain the most changed for the longest period of time are those which were coniferous forest. The fire burned approximately 60% of the area at low or moderate levels of severity, while the remaining 40% burned at high levels. The majority of the high severity burn occurred below the coniferous vegetation type in broadleaf evergreen (oak) woodlands, chaparral, and desert grassland vegetation types. Because these types are naturally more adapted to intense fires and many of the woody plants re-sprout or reseed naturally, they are generally not subjected to artificial reforestation. In the coniferous vegetation type, the pines and firs will not re-sprout from roots. These areas will need to be naturally reseeded or artificially replanted.

In the coniferous vegetation type, efforts are currently in the works for artificial reforestation, both on private and public land. Ponderosa pine cones (both the three- and five-needled varieties) have been collected on Mt. Lemmon for seedstock. Because these pines are considered to be genetically unique, it is important that stock from the same seed zone be utilized as opposed to that imported from other locations. Additionally, trees grown from seed collected from other seed zones may do well for the short term, but often develop serious problems such as disease, fungus, or susceptibility to insect infestation in later life, rendering them ill-suited to reforestation in the long term. Some of the seed already collected is being planted and maintained by the Natural Resource Conservation Service Plant Materials Center in Tucson for ìTrees for Mount Lemmon ,î a non-profit organization which will plant the trees on private land in Summerhaven. A maximum of 7,000 seedlings will be ready for planting during this summerís monsoon season, at an age of five to six months old. These trees will then need to be treated as ornamental plantings, requiring extra care, including irrigation.

Trees germinated from seed collected on Mt. Lemmon are being maintained in another Arizona nursery for planting on private and public land. Species include Ponderosa pine, Southwestern white pine, Douglas fir, Emory oak, Gamble oak, Arizona gray oak, and Arizona cypress. (The trees were being grown for use along the Mt.Lemmon Highway reconstruction corridor.) Some of the trees will be planted in late March, some near the end of the monsoon season, and others further into the future. Locations are being determined. In addition to trees and seedings, Quaking aspen cuttings are also a reforestation option. The Forest Service has hosted two training sessions for property owners on how to collect and plant aspen cuttings.

On public land Forest Service personnel are conducting surveys to determine locations which are practical and physically possible to plant. Because of the mosaic nature of high severity burn areas, it is likely that much natural reforestation will occur due to seed blowing into them from unburned tree stands. For artificial reforestation, Ponderosa pine seeds collected on Mt. Graham, considered to be in the same seed zone, are being stored, germinated and maintained at nurseries in Idaho and California, which work with the Forest Service to raise the trees in a manner that prepares them for îoutplantingî a method not requiring the extra care and irrigation needed by ornamental plantings. Approximately 35,000 to 40,000 trees will be ready for outplanting in 2005. Most of this first phase of reforestation will cover about 200 acres west of Summerhaven, including Carter Canyon and Radio Ridge. The initial planting locations will be determined by considerations involving erosion control and soil stabilization, proximity to Summerhaven, and aesthetic values. Additional cones will be collected on Mt. Lemmon in the future for planting and for storage. The objective is to plant 150 to 200 acres of trees for two to three years. This intention could change with changing conditions and priorities. The scale of reforestation will depend largely on natural conditions for cone production, and how much seed can be obtained from cones collected. The year 2003 was not a good ìcrop yearî due in part to extended drought. If the drought continues, it will negatively affect cone production and reforestation.

As many Tucsonans care deeply for Mt. Lemmon , a large number of citizens have expressed interest in volunteering to help with recovery projects. The Forest Service is analyzing burned areas and setting priorities for projects to be conducted in the near future, while working with partners in planning and logistics. The Friends of Sabino Canyon are engaging in fundraising activities to support projects. The Volunteer Center of Tucson is managing the volunteer database. Their combined efforts are sure to enhance the senses of community and partnership, working together for the greater good, already fostered by effects of the Aspen Fire.

Mt. Lemmon has started the healing process naturally, as it has done long before our time. Such regeneration to the point that we would like to see it could take a very long time, as judged by our standards. We can now contribute our time, expertise and elbow grease to accelerate that which would otherwise be a lengthy process. Areas which were not burned or burned lightly can be enjoyed now by visitors as they have in the past. As for areas which sustained a greater degree of damage - we have the opportunity to participate, with our minds and our muscles and our hearts, and to observe and learn, as the forest recovers. These are the opportunities bequeathed us by the Aspen Fire. Opportunities for healing the overwhelming sense of loss. Opportunities to step up and do our part. Opportunities for healing the trees and the landscapes on Mt. Lemmon , and opportunities for healing the emotions and the spirits of the people who love them.

Fall/Winter 2003