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Newsletter # 9 Fall programs sponsored by the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills (SCFH) offer some exciting opportunities to become involved and learn more about many natural elements within Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain Preserve Preserve Steward training was completed. - Classes covered the Mission and Role of a Steward, Geological History of the McDowells, Recognition of The Early Residents, Flora and Fauna in the Sonoran desert, Ethnobotany and A Steward’s Role in case of Fire or Injuries. Twenty two volunteers were graduated. Construction of a temporary access trail will require a number of trailblazers. There will be both classroom and on the job training for all new volunteers. Once the new trail is completed there will be a continuing need for maintenance of existing trails, location of new rest areas, location of benches, etc. So consider volunteering. Guided hikes will be designed around specific activities or learning experiences. Some examples would be: searching for nonnative, invasive plants in the Preserve, photo challenges on the trail, locating and naming landmarks visible from the Preserve, and Reviews of geology and history of the McDowell Mountains Fountain Hills Botanical Garden Society. - Recently this group moved to operate under our non-profit status. In late Spring, some trailblazers were able to utilize their experience and our tools to support their construction of a new trail for the Garden Society. A reminder to all who choose to use the new access trail. This route will provide daylight access to all hikers (sunrise/sunset). Complete adherence to the basic rule of staying on the marked trail will insure satisfaction that we are responsible in keeping all elements of the agreement between the Town and MCO Properties, Inc. Some background on this new trail follows. In looking for an access, the water tank road beyond Mayan Drive in North Heights was considered. Then an open space opposite the Desert Canyon intersection with Sunridge Canyon Drive was studied. In both these cases the neighborhood home owner associations rejected such activity on the basis of protecting local neighborhoods from trailhead traffic. With one last effort, the Conservancy and Councilman Ed Kehe met with Jeremy Hall, President of MCO Properties, Inc. to review a possible route that would require permission from MCO since it involved building the trail across Adero Canyon property to reach a Preserve boundary. Mr. Hall agreed to consider the plan, and helped to define the trail layout. A group from Town Staff , MCO, and Sonoran Conservancy worked together to draft a package that recognizes the temporary nature of this route, minimizes any permanent land disturbance, provides protection of private property by fencing the trail, and creates a license agreement between the Town and MCO that satisfies both party concerns regarding liability. EASY Trail Completed - During the Spring, SC Trailblazers teamed up with NWWS, Inc. ( A commercial nature trail builder contracted by the Town of Fountain Hills). The objective was to rough cut a new trail that eventually will provide access to Verde Valley views for all with limited mobility or needing a wheelchair. NWWS widened our existing foot path over the lower section of the Town Overlook trail and then curved around the mountain. Trailblazers removed dozer debris and completed final grading. Shown below are before and after views. Be a Friend Today - All these programs require volunteers and continuing support from “Friends”. To explain further, the Conservancy is a non-profit organization. Such an organization does not have “members” but operates on the financial and physical support of “Friends” and volunteers. Our current balance is $5,107. Expenses during the past three months were $1,726. to support 20 volunteer guides and trailblazers prepare for full time access, Newsletter mailings, an inclineometer, other trail-building tools, legal fees and graphic packets to Town Council to identify and map the access plan. ------------------- Be a friend Today ! ------------------ Join the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills. Just go to the Public Participation section of the main page and download an application form. |
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