Newsletter # 10
• Non Native Grass Invasion Stopped
Spearheaded
by Preserve Stewards Sandy Heunisch, Donna Haustowich, Annie Rollins
Protas,and Trailblazer Bill Jaeger, these volunteers moved rapidly to stop
the spread of non-native plants in the Fountain Hills McDowell Mountain
Preserve. Recent rains induced new growth to spread along the Promenade
trail.
Before
After
But,
over a period of four weeks (equal to 80 person hours) of digging out
established roots, these determined workers successfully removed the highly
flammable fountain and buffel grasses from the Preserve. Town Parks &
Recreation provided their trash facilities for storage and removal of
several truck loads of the bagged grasses.
• Spring Hikes
Another
of the Conservancy’s Spring programs has been providing guided hikes into
the Preserve. Expecting a full season of wild flowers, six weekend days
were scheduled during March. Saturday hikes left at 8:30 AM and Sunday
hikes left from the end of Eagle Ridge Drive at 1:30 PM. These differences
in time offered the photographers variety in lighting opportunities.
• Trail Building
The Trailblazers continue to push completion of the North
trail. Since October these dedicated workers have given 408 hours of hard manual
labor through very rocky soil to be within two hundred yards of the Maricopa County McDowell Mountain Park boundary. This progress is significant in two ways;
finishing this trail completes all of the planned trail system for our
Preserve. Also, this 4 foot wide, multi use trail assures the Town will be
in position to negotiate an agreement for providing an entrance from the
Preserve into the park. The park management estimates they will be
circulating a new master plan revision for approval by Fall. With
completion of the trails, Preserve Steward Mike Bogner created a series of
GPS maps covering each trail.
These have been combined into a single map page which is
offered to all hikers to help them identify where they might choose to go.
We also completed installing some temporary information signs that identify
various trailheads and small side loops on the Western Loop trail. Work is
in progress to update our web sight. Be certain to visit <www.scfh.org>
for any new projects or general information on the Preserve. Look for
opportunities where you might enjoy participating. Volunteers are always
welcomed in supporting the work of the Conservancy.
Printing
and mailing cost for Newsletters averages $215.00. To reduce this operating
expense we request Friends of the Conservancy to register to receive a
color copy via e-mail. We will continue to have printed Black & White
copies available for those who do not use electronic mail service. Send us
your e-mail address to: rkinsey1@mac.com to receive the
next Newsletter. We urge everyone to register with us as a “Friend”. It is
more important that we build the support through an increased number of
Friends than it is to raise any significant amount of money.
-------------------------
Be
a Friend Today ! ---------------------------------
Name
____________________________________
e-Mail address
_____________________________________
Street
____________________________________ P. O. Box# __________________
Town ____________________________, State
____ Zip ___________________
Contributions pay for Newsletters, trail
tools, and training programs.
Typically we receive $25 - $50.
Make checks payable to: Sonoran
Conservancy of Fountain Hills
Please mail to: SCFH, P. O. BOX 17733, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269-773