c a : cacti cienegas get involved in election season! · plateau: cynthia pardo sedona/verde...

Go Solar with Sierra Club!Save money, get a cash incentive, support

clean energy, and help our chapter!

See pg. 6 for details.

Celebrating arizona: CaCti and CienegaS

Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet

http://arizona.sierraclub.org Grand Canyon Chapter Summer 2012

Get involved in election season!

Historic Cienega in Decline: Del Rio SpringsBy Gary Beverly

Gary is the Yavapai Group’s Vice-Chair.

Most rivers begin in a high mountain valley fed by snowmelt. The upper

Verde River is different – it springs to life from two grasslands.

The Big Chino Valley supplies 80–86% of the base flow of Verde Springs, the only water source for 25 miles of the finest riparian habitat in Arizona. State water law has autho-rized groundwater mining in the Big Chino that will, in time, dry up Verde Springs and transform the up-per Verde into a dry wash.

The Little Chino Valley pro-vides 10–14% of the river flow and also supplies Prescott and Chino Valley with groundwater to

support 125,000 peo-ple. Municipal pump-ing intercepts ground-water flowing toward the springs – water naturally destined for the river. Groundwater levels throughout Chi-no Valley have fallen significantly, and the cienega known as Del Rio Springs is slowly decaying into dust. A cienega is a wet, marshy area where groundwater bubbles to the surface.

Del Rio Springs now produces only a fourth of its predevelopment flow; it is pre-dicted to go dry by 2025. Historically, Del Rio Springs filled four miles of Little Chino Creek, joining Big Chino Wash to form the headwaters of the Verde River. That peren-nial riparian habitat is now gone, destroyed by groundwater mining.

Drying up Del Rio Springs will destroy an icon of Arizona history. In 1863, Ft. Whipple was established at Del Rio, serving as the first Territorial Capitol until moving to Prescott in 1864. Homesteaders farmed Del Rio until it was purchased by the City of Prescott in 1900 as a municipal water sup-ply. Prescott pumped spring water 20 miles to town until 1910.

Water from Del Rio Springs supported the development of Northern Arizona. For decades, the Santa Fe Railroad hauled tank cars of Del Rio water to Seligman, Ash Fork, Williams, Winslow, and the south rim of Grand Canyon. Del Rio hay and grain fed the dude and working stock in Grand Can-yon and supplied winter pasture into the 1950s. Dairy products from Del Rio Ranch

fed Fred Harvey’s tourist enterprises along the Santa Fe rail line from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Drying up Del Rio Springs will dimin-ish our wildlife. During the 2011 and 2012 breeding seasons, a pair of desert nesting bald eagles successfully raised three chicks in a tall cottonwood tree nurtured by the springs. Neighboring cottonwoods support a regional great blue heron breeding area – perhaps a dozen nests. Many owls and other raptors nest nearby. Ecologists have found unique, endemic dragonflies at the springs.

The drying of Del Rio Springs by groundwater mining is a glimpse into the future of the upper Verde River. Planned groundwater mining projects in the Big Chino Valley will intercept groundwater destined for Verde Springs, directly analo-gous to the slowly developing disaster at Del Rio Springs.

Arizona water law facilitates the de-struction of our heritage, our wildlife, and our water resources. That’s a crime.

TOP: Del Rio Springs historical marker. Photo courtesy of HMdb.org. BOTTOM: Bald eagle nestlings at Del Rio Springs. Photo by Gary Beverly.

2 SierraClub GrandCanyonChapter

http://arizona.sierraclub.org

Canyon EchoSummer 2012 Vol. 48 No. 3

Canyon Echo © 2012. Canyon Echo (ISSN 0164-7024) is published quarterly for Sierra Club mem-bers by the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd., Ste. 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Phone: 602-253-8633, Fax: 602-258-6533. Printed at Valley Newspapers.

Front page banner designed by Erika Gronek.

Printedon100%recycledpaperwithsoyink.

EDITOR: Tiffany Sprague602-253-9140, [email protected]

DEDICATED VOLUNTEERSOutings Editor: Jerry Nelson

602-279-4668, [email protected]

Mailing Organizers: Bill Gill, Jerry Nelson

Publications Committee: Priscilla Benbrook, Jon Findley, Kurt Florman, Chris Gehlker,

Tricia Gerrodette, Renée Guillory, Tyler Kokjohn, Jerry Nelson, Carole Piszczek-Sheffield,

Mike Smith, Rosé Sullivan

Publications Chair: Keith Bagwell520-623-0269, [email protected]

Webmaster:Dawson [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Annual dues to the Sierra Club are $39 (including $1 for Canyon Echo). Subscription rate for non-members is $10. Send check payable to Sierra Club - Canyon Echo, 202 E. McDowell Rd., Ste. 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

ADVERTISING: Advertising is sold on a first-come, space-available basis. The editor reserves the right to re-fuse any advertisements, and inclusion of advertisements does not imply endorsement by the Sierra Club. All in-teractions between advertisers and consumers are solely the responsibilities of those parties.

SUBMISSIONS: Send electronic or hard copies to the editor (include a S.A.S.E. for return of hard copies). In-dicate copyright or Creative Commons preference. We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. Writer’s guidelines can be obtained by contacting the editor. All rights to publication of articles in this issue are reserved. The deadline is the first day of the month preceding the issue. Opinions expressed in Canyon Echo are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Sierra Club.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes and postage due to Sierra Club Member Services, c/o Canyon Echo, P.O. Box 421041, Palm Coast, FL 32142-6417. Periodi-cals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ.

Arizona Chapter Action DirectoryChapter Director Sandy Bahr 602-253-8633 [email protected] Chapter CoordinatorTiffany Sprague 602-253-9140 [email protected] Canyon Conservation Program CoordinatorAlicyn Gitlin 928-774-6514 [email protected] Conservation Program Coordinator and Coal to Clean EnergyDan Millis 520-620-6401 [email protected] Sentinels Program CoordinatorSteve Pawlowski 602-254-9330 [email protected] Southwest Regional OfficeRob Smith 602-254-8362 [email protected]

CHAPTER OFFICES & COMMITTEE CHAIRSChairperson: Ken Langton (xc) 520-749-3829 [email protected]/Delegate: Elna Otter (xc) 520-212-9736 [email protected]: Carole Piszczek-Sheffield 928-204-1517 [email protected]: David McCaleb (xc) 602-840-7655 [email protected]: Jenny Roberts (xc) 480-488-2256 [email protected]: Don Steuter (xc) 602-956-5057 [email protected]: Jim Vaaler (xc) 602-553-8208 [email protected]: Cynthia Pardo 928-380-9175 [email protected]: Doug Mings 480-628-2481 [email protected] (At-Large): Keith Bagwell (xc) 520-623-0269 [email protected]

Bev Full (xc) 480-221-2554 [email protected] Martin (xc) 928-558-0742 [email protected]

Palo Verde: Mike Brady Saguaro: Bob MoorePlateau: Cynthia Pardo Sedona/Verde Valley: Carole Piszczek-SheffieldRincon: Randy Serraglio Yavapai: Tom Slaback

2012 Group Voting Representatives to Chapter Ex-Com (see pp. 12–13 for contact information):

(xc) 2012 Chapter Executive Committee (Ex-Com) members

Chapter AnnouncementsTBD 6:30 p.m. Political Committee meetings. Help with critical elections this summer and fall to elect environmentally-friendly candidates. Your voice for reason and recognition of the role of conservation can be even louder if you participate in our Political Committee! This is the most important time to get involved. Contact Doug Mings at 480-628-2481 or [email protected].

JUL 24 and SEP 25 (TUE) 6 p.m. Energy Committee gatherings. Discussions, programs, and field trips encompass various energy activities. Everyone is invited, no matter how much or how little you know about energy issues. Specific time and location TBA. To be added to our list or to get more information, please contact Jon Findley at 480-756-2916 or [email protected].

JUL 25 (WED) 6:30 p.m. Wildlife Committee meeting. Are you interested in working to protect wildlife? Join us to learn more about what’s happening with Arizona’s wildlife, upcoming opportunities, and how to get involved. Contact Rebecca DeWitt at (602) 405-9060 or [email protected] or our chapter office at (602) 253-8633 or [email protected].

AUG 1 (WED) 5:30 p.m. Publications Committee meeting. Have an idea? Help plan future issues of Canyon Echo! Contact Keith Bagwell at 520-623-0269 or [email protected] or Tiffany Sprague at 602-253-9140 or [email protected]. All meetings conducted via Skype/phone.

SEP 1 (SAT) Copy deadline for Fall 2012 Canyon Echo. Theme is “Critters.” Articles, art, photographs, poetry, essays, and brief epiphanies are welcome. Contact the editor before submitting at 602-253-9140 or [email protected] to discuss word count, photos to include, licensing, issue topics, and to request submission guidelines.

SEP 26 (WED) 1–5 p.m. (stop by anytime) Canyon Echo Mailing Party. Volunteers save the chapter hundreds of dollars by preparing Canyon Echo for mailing. Thank you! The job is easy to learn. Any amount of time that you’re available is appreciated. Contact Jerry Nelson at 602-279-4668 or [email protected] or Bill Gill at [email protected] for details.

SEP 29–30 (SAT–SUN) Chapter Conservation (SAT) and Executive Committee (SUN) meetings. Chapter leaders meet to consider matters related to statewide conservation efforts, share experiences across the state, and coordinate strategy on priority issues. The meetings will be in Prescott. For more information, contact Don Steuter at 602-956-5057 or [email protected] or Ken Langton at 520-749-3829 or [email protected].

Tucson

Prescott

Flagstaff

PALO VERDE

YAVAPAI

SEDONA/ VERDE VALLEY

Phoenix

PLATEAU

SAGUARO

RINCON

GRAND CANYONCHAPTER

Summer2012 CanyonEcho 3


I knew my goal in life from a very early age: to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. How amazing to find an organization with the same mission!

I spent my childhood doing just that. I grew to love the natural wonders of Arizona as I hiked the Chiricahuas, camped at Workman Creek, backpacked through Grand Canyon, paddled across Canyon Lake, explored the majesty of the White Mountains, and cycled through my rural neighborhood. My parents’ enthusiasm for our wonderful world was evident in our annual family camping trips and expeditions. I am forever thankful to them for encouraging that same passion in my brother and me.

This fervor carried me through college, where I earned a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Arizona, and led me into my career. As a biologist, I worked in various areas of our beautiful state, studying desert tortoises, reintroducing endangered black-footed ferrets, researching bats, and restoring habitat. And I got paid to do it!

When I married in 2004 and moved back to Phoenix, my endeavors took a new direction. I began a shift toward public engagement including wildlife education and environmental advocacy, which landed me a job with Sierra Club in 2006. I firmly believe that education is the most effective tool we have to protect our environment, which makes this job a perfect fit.

My work with Sierra Club is some of the most rewarding I have ever experienced. I am amazed and encouraged by the enthusiasm my coworkers and fellow members have for our state and for our world. Although I miss traipsing through the desert in search of some elusive critter as a regular part of my job, the work I do now not only helps protect these species and the habitats on which they depend but also empowers others to do the same. Plus, the dedication of Sierra Club volunteers has inspired me to continue my wildlife work through volunteer endeavors of my own. I could not ask for anything more.

2 Chapter Announcements

4 Nominate Yourself!

5 Thank You!

6 Go Solar!

7 Border and Coal Issues Unite

8 Monument Under Attack

9 A Conservation Success Story

10 2012 Arizona Legislature

11 In Memory

12 Group Happenings

14 Hikes and Outings

15 Let’s Meetup®!

16 Service Outings

Grand Canyon Chapter – What’s Going On?

Do Something Wikied!

Experience Canyon Echo in a new and exciting way by joining our online Wiki! You can read and comment on recent submissions, view material not available in the printed Echo, and even submit your own works or provide feedback.

Check it out at http://canyonecho.wikispaces.com!

Tiffany SpragueChapter Coordinator and Publications Editor

Electronic Newsletter Available!

Help save resources and money by signing up for the electronic newsletter! Send an email with your full name and membership ID (8-digit number on your mailing label) to [email protected] or fill out the short form at http://arizona.sierraclub.org/echo/paperlessform/form.asp. You will receive

an email when issues are available online.

Tiffany Sprague exploring and enjoying Lake Pleasant. Photo by Scott Sprague.

A History of Grand Canyon River Runners Fundraiser for Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter

Saturday, July 212–4 p.m.

Fair Trade Café1020 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix

Cost: $30

Tom Martin – Plateau Group Chair, author, and co-founder of River Runners for Wilderness – will share some highlights from his latest book Big Water, Little Boats.

Join us to learn more about the voyages of a number of unsung Grand Canyon river runners from the 1930s until

the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Refreshments will be served.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Sandy Bahr at 602-253-8633 or [email protected] by July 18. Seating is limited.

Getting to Know Your Chapter Staff

http://arizona.sierraclub.org/echo/paperlessform/form.asp



Canyon Echo encourages contributors to use Creative Commons licensing.This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCom-mercial-ShareAlike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5 or send a letter to Creative Commons, 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105.

All other contributions, including photos, cartoons, and written work, fall under standard copyright restrictions.

Cast of Characters

Gary BeverlyThe Verde River’s Best Friend

Gary was born in Texas but grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. As a young Boy Scout, he especially enjoyed hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (partaking in a 50-miler when he was but 12 years old), back when, accord-ing to him, you could drink pure water from any mountain stream. This led to his joining Sierra Club around 1970.

In 1974, Gary moved to Arizona. He taught chemistry and alternate en-ergy courses at Yavapai College and, upon earning his license, opened his own solar installation company in 1981. Around 1992, his interest in computers caused him to sell his solar business and to open a computer firm. Finally, with its sale, he retired in 2006.

His grown son teaches middle-school science in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His wife, Molly, is in charge of the Cross-roads Cafe at Prescott College and shares her two cats with him.

Gary built an energy-efficient home in Chino Valley that is 100% self-heated and relies on a photovoltaic system for most of its power. He is a farmer at heart and raises corn, beans, sweet potatoes, garlic, chilies, chard, onions, tomatoes, and, as anyone who has attended the Yavapai Group’s annual holiday potluck knows, the best butternut squash on earth. This year, in order to have more time for working on obtaining Wild and Scenic designation for the Upper Verde River, for being on the Citizens Water Advocacy Group board (he just designed their new website in addition to the many years he has kept the Yavapai Group’s current), and for hiking, he has cut back on his planting, growing just a 0.5-acre of crops.

At the chapter’s Volunteer and Member Recognition Picnic in 2009, Gary was honored for his work in protecting the Upper Verde River with the Special Achievement Award. His other interests include brewing his own beer (after all, you’ve got to have something to wash down all that food) and photography, which he utilizes to enhance his conservation work.

Gary likes that the Sierra Club has such a broad base of support, a “Big Tent,” if you like. No matter what your interest may be, there is a place for you in the Club.

Let’s hope that Gary gets another 2–3 weeks of hiking in the High Sierras again before this year is up.

Are you interested in making a difference to help ensure clean water and air and to protect wild places? Contribute your leadership skills to Sierra Club!

Volunteer leadership positions within the Grand Canyon Chapter are an ideal way to deepen your involvement in the issues important to you. We need committed people who will take time and energy to further our mission to protect and enjoy our en-vironment.

Become a candidate for your group or chapter executive committee! No experience is necessary, but we are looking for enthusiastic candidates. If you want to help create a vi-sion, make policy, execute plans for environmental protec-tion, and have fun while doing it, please nominate yourself. Or if you know of other good candidates, please nominate them.

If you would like to learn more about what would be involved, please contact one of your friendly leaders: Nominations Chair Jim McCarthy at 928-779-3748 or [email protected], Chapter Chair Ken Langton at 520-749-3829 or [email protected], or your group chair (see pp. 12–13).

Guidelines for chapter and group elections: 1) To be listed on the ballot, candidates must submit

their names and membership numbers. If you aren’t sure what your membership number is, see your Canyon Echo label or contact the chapter office at 602-253-9140. Be sure to include contact information along with your submission.

2) Submit a candidate statement (recommended but not required), indicating the chapter or group executive committee for which you are running to the Nominations Committee at [email protected] by no later than August 15, 2012. (You will receive acknowledgement within a few days of submission.) Because much of the executive committees’ day-to-day business is done by email, candi-dates must have email capability. Candidate statements are limited to 200 words and must be submitted by email.

The official ballot will appear in the Fall 2012 Echo. So, go ahead, nominate yourself or someone else you think would be a good leader. Thank you for stepping forward!

You Are the Sierra ClubBy Jim McCarthy

Gary Beverly explaining Verde River Wild and Scenic designation during a 2012 Earth Day outreach event. Photo by Tom Slaback.

Election season is upon us!

Primary Election – The Primary Election is on August 28. You must be registered to vote by July 30. Early voting begins on Au-gust 2; be on the lookout for our voter guide in your mailbox around this time (members only).

General Election – The General Election is on November 6. You must be registered to vote by October 8. Early voting begins on October 11 (members will receive our voter guide around this date).

To request an early ballot, visit http://azsos.gov/election/county.htm.

If you are interested in getting involved with our Political Committee, please contact Doug Mings at 480-628-2481 or [email protected].

Jim is the Nominations Committee Chair.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5



Thank You to Our Donors!

Many thanks to Trader Joe’s Paradise Valley for donating food for our Grand Canyon

celebration barbeque!

The Morning Stars Sing Together ($500+)Donald BegalkeKenneth P. LangtonDavid McCalebRobert & Janet Witzeman

Make the Mountains Glad ($100–499)Keith BagwellSandy Bahr & David KommGary & Molly BeverlyBrian BlanchardErin BlandingCarolina & Walker ButlerLoring CannonMarcelle ChaseDavid CherneyEric CoonsGerald D. CoxHarding CureBarbara & Don DeMuthLynn DeMuthCraig & Lynn DibleRoy & Frances EmrickSharon FairchildAlvin R. FinkelsteinRick FreasBeverly FullJames HarrisonLarky HodgesDavid & Barbara KellyMichael L. KottkeDrs. B. R. & W. R. LoewensteinScott LoganKen McGintyBlair McLaughlinRoger McmanusJanice E. MyersJerry NelsonHap PersonCarole Piszczek-SheffieldLinda & J. Michael PowersMichael QuinlanJenny RobertsKathy RoedigerJim RutherfordBeverly SassTimothy SchaffnerKaren L. SchroederChris SmithKevie StahlDon SteuterDale Turner & Julia FonsecaElly Van GelderenWalt WictorRobert Wist

Keep Close to Nature’s Heart ($50–99)Steve ArthurBettina BickelTom BrysaczNicole Carver

David CathellCathy CohnDevin CruiseJeffrey DemianTam DeWittLinda Gale DrewJ. M. Franklin & P. AbbottHelene D. GayVicki GreenJeffrey & Kimberly GroutLynne A. HarrisonJoseph R. HellerRaena HonanKaren D. HoroschakGary & Yvonne HuckleberryElizabeth HunterMargaret HuntingtonNina JudgeL. KiholmCarol & Louis LantzTom LazzelleFelicia & Warren MayGary McCormickJames NafzigerLee OlerS. Painter & K. WetzelLori L. PearlmutterHarold PetersPeter RaganVivian RossS. T. Russell & S. NeeleyBetty SadowskySandi SalazarSandra RosadoAmanda ShaugerMarnie S. ShepperdMr. & Mrs. Thomas L. ShermanJulie ShippThomas SonandresMargaret G. UtterbackDeborah VathJane WarrenMary & Carl Wrubel

Hitched to Everything Else in the Universe ($1–49)Fareed Abou-HaidarLisa BarnesRodney BoorseJoan S. BriggsCarolynn BryanRoberta BryantThomas BunchRobert D. Cable, Jr.Beryl CatersonDavid & Roberta ChorltonRonald CohenE. H. Conway-FischerRev. David G. CooperAugusta DavisNorman & Shirley DavisClifford K. DemayoP. Dobson & C. LevensonNancy Eldredge

Harriet FloodBarry & Madeline FriedmanBarbara GatesWilliam R. GillSusan GimaRita GuidiSkip HannaMelvin G. HeapsJames HiebSusan HollisBarbara HolsoppleRuth E. JagolinzerJules KetchamMary Korduner, RNBarbara A. KrajewskiRobert LangAnne McHugh & Robert ParksThomas MckinneyMr. & Mrs. Earl MontgomeryCecilia MorganCarroll MunzStephen MurpheyJohn NuechterleinJoan PrefontaineKaren RebbRonald RoedelRon SeligHelen J. SimmonsEve & Ernest SimonDeb SparrowHarry StacyRose SullivanJohn & Christine VicariPatricia WainwrightWalter W. WalkerEdgar WalterDuane WeiszT. J. Wernette & C. BrownStephen WilliamsHal & Cathy Williams

Thank you to Aveda stores in Chandler, Scottsdale, and Phoenix for providing funding for our Water Sentinels program. Water Sentinels help people connect with their watersheds and provide important data to assess the health of these important ecosystems. It is a citizen science program where volunteers can get their hands dirty and feet wet and help protect our remaining flowing rivers and streams. We appreciate the support!

On Sunday, April 29th, Desert Song Yoga Studio at 4811 N. 7th St. in Phoenix hosted a special yoga class to recognize Earth Day (April 22nd) and raised over $300, which was donated to our chapter. The Grand Canyon Chapter wishes to thank the studio, Michelle Pulich Stewart, and the other teachers who participated in the class; they are shown in the very most appropriate Tree Pose. Namaste!

Terry Curtis, Michael J. Tucker, Ariel Worth, Leslie Ulstrup, Debbie Kayatt, Michelle Pulich Stewart, and Ann Mullins Bulka. Photo by Jenny Roberts.

Thank you to Edwards Mother Earth Foundation for its generous support of our energy efficiency efforts in Arizona. With the funding provided, we have helped advance a strong energy efficiency standard in Arizona and promote policies and programs that reduce electricity and water use and save ratepayers – all of us – money on our bills now and in the future. We greatly appreciate these grants!

George AbbottJennifer Battaglia

Al & Dominique BellaviaGerald Bringle

Ken & Keridwen CorneliusSandy DrausTerri Dukes

Noel FitzgeraldBev Full

Gale GarrettPaul Hendey

Thank you to rafters, canoeists, and kayakers who participated in our fundraising outings!Maggie Huntington

Irma JuradoWilly LeungJanet MillardBob Moore

Sue MorelandWilliam OttoTom Schroer

Pat TaylorJim Wilkey



Solar Energy Just Got Easier for Grand Canyon Chapter Supporters!

As efforts to fight climate change accelerate, Sierra Club is helping mem-bers and supporters drop dirty fuels through a new program aimed at fos-tering wide-spread deployment of clean energy: the Solar Homes Campaign.

Through an innovative partner-ship with Sungevity, a leading national solar service provider, the Club is able to offer members and supporters an af-fordable way to get solar on their roof-tops. For every home that goes solar through this program, Sungevity will give $750 to the chapter for clean en-ergy work and other efforts.

We’d never encourage members to check their consumer savvy at the door; always get quotes from at least three prospective installers. That said, Sierra Club is pleased to say that Sungevity is an experienced one-stop solar shop with high marks in customer satisfaction.

You can make a direct purchase for a solar energy system from Sungevity or make use of their solar service for people who can’t afford to pay the up-front costs to put panels on their roofs. Sungevity will install the panels for no up-front cost and will also handle all maintenance and service. The homeowner pays for clean energy with a small monthly bill – and will enjoy lower electricity bills. It’s important to note that how much energy-savings a homeowner enjoys depends on the size of the solar system and the amount of energy typically used.

“In order to end our dependence on dirty energy, we need as many Americans as possible to switch to clean energy like rooftop solar. This is a high priority for the Sierra Club. We are urging all of our members and supporters in Arizona to work with Sungevity to find out if solar is right for them. Every home that goes solar gets us one step closer to our goal of a clean energy economy,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune about the program.

It’s a win-win-win. An average Sungevity customer saves 15% on electricity costs by going solar. The Grand Canyon Chapter will raise money for important campaigns. And more solar will replace coal as Sierra Club members cut their carbon footprints and collectively help to scale this key clean energy solution.

Find out if solar is right for you!

Visit http://sierraclub.org/solarhomes for a free solar quote. Once you do, Sungevity will contact you to discuss whether solar is right for you. In

five minutes, they can give you a good idea about how much you might save.

Last February, I took a trip to Kenya along with my partner and my daughter. We had been invited to visit a Maasai village by a gentleman named Samwel, with the hope that we would publicize the village’s prob-lems stemming from climate change. (My daughter had met Samwel at three of the pre-vious big United Nations international gath-erings to develop a binding climate agree-ment to replace the Kyoto protocol. She had been there as a representative of her college. He had been there thanks to the support of a non-governmental organization.) Samwel believes that if enough people realize the suf-fering caused by climate change, then there will be more impetus to sign an agreement. (Our report can be found at http://bit.ly/Ke-nyaClimateChange.)

I realized that most of the changes that Samwel is seeing in Kenya are not very dif-ferent from the changes my neighbors and I are seeing in the San Pedro River Valley. His desert river is turning into a series of puddles – as is ours. His community is en-tirely dependent on raising cattle– also our valley’s major endeavor. His consequences are significantly worse, however, as they

Wanted: Climate Change StoriesBy Elna Otter

are exacerbated by population growth and a government policy that takes away some of their tribal lands. Also, the villagers don’t have investments outside the area, so they have nothing to fall back on. Both commu-nities are worried about the consequences to wildlife.

When we told friends about the general notion of collecting climate change stories – and having gone to Kenya to do so – several commented that these stories are all around. One person told us of his experience in the house he grew up in and ultimately inher-ited from his father on Fire Island outside New York City. The sea level is rising! He had lots of indications that this is happening.

I propose that it might be instructive for us to collect the stories of climate change from Sierra Club members here in Arizona. We likely all have them. We’ve seen changes in our favorite places or our own backyards, either in Arizona or elsewhere around the world. We have hopes and fears, ideas and inspirations, or perhaps some additional knowledge to contribute.. Please share your story, whatever it may be.

Tell Your Story!

Please consider submitting your story (photos are greatly appreciated, as well). Post it at http://canyonecho.wikispaces.com/Climate+Change+Stories or send it to [email protected] or. All stories will be posted on our Wiki, and we may occasionally publish one or more in Canyon Echo.

Elna is a climate change activist.

Dark Skies Over Grand CanyonBy Anne Wittke

One hundred years ago, the skies over Arizona were darker than today because of the lack of extensive electric outdoor lighting. The Milky Way lit the starry skies, visible by those hunkered down in their bedrolls. Even now, in the back areas of Grand Canyon, lights do not infringe on the wilderness experience. However, they are creeping in to our experience on the north rim. Along with the skyglow from Phoenix and Williams, we now have to contend with the blinking lights of the Perrin Ranch wind turbines north of Williams, 50 miles away. See Dark Skies continued on pg. 10.

Also, the town of Tusayan, which is directly south of the entrance to Grand Canyon, wants to build extensive develop-ments, including housing for hundreds of people and timeshares and spas for tourists. This would be developed by an international company called Gruppo Stilo USA.

Even though Coconino County has some of the strictest lighting ordinances in the state, a large town with tall buildings and street lights will scatter a lot of light and will be very visible. Airports also have beacons, which are required by the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA). They are designed to be visible even in large, brightly lit cities. This means they are extremely visible in dark areas. Plus, there are now plans to expand Grand Canyon Airport.

So, what, you may ask, is the value of dark skies? For one thing, it is an endangered

situation in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Pristine, dark skies are disappearing across the U.S. and Europe as roads and development encroach into undeveloped areas. Many tourists come to northern



You may have heard of Sierra Club’s Be-yond Coal campaign. The idea is to send a coal-addicted America to rehab so that we can kick the dirty fossil fuel habit, nourish-ing our power grid, instead, with clean, re-newable energy and energy efficiency.

The Grand Canyon Chapter has been fortunate enough to get involved with Beyond Coal, and I’m the lucky staff person who gets to work on it! I’ve been coordinating our Borderlands program since 2008 and will continue to do so, but now splitting my time with Beyond Coal. Specifically, I’m working to get Tucson Electric Power to invest more fully in solar generation and energy efficiency and to divest from its smog-spewing coal operations in places like Springerville, Navajo Generating Station, and south Tucson.

At first glance, ever-increasing border militarization may seem to pose an entirely different set of environmental issues than our dependence on dirty coal. The two

Border and Coal Issues UniteBy Dan Millis

intersect, however, in their role as primary tormentors of the climate refugee.

Being mostly made of carbon, coal combustion has an enormous carbon foot-print and is a leading cause of climate change (not to mention the public health costs coal wreaks on our lungs). A slowly warming planet has contributed to what many have termed “global weirding”: drier droughts paired with more violent storms, tornados in odd places (such as Flagstaff), and horrific fire seasons. These climate change symp-toms are conversation pieces for most of us, but to some they are absolute life-changers.

In the past year or two, I met with two different authors who wanted to tour the border wall and learn more about Sierra Club Borderlands. The border, per se, is the subject of neither of their books. Both are about climate change. Andrew Ross’s Bird on Fire calls Phoenix “the world’s least sustainable city” and explores efforts to build resiliency in the face of what may become

130-degree summers. In A Great Aridness, Bill deBuys zooms out to a regional level, laying out potential impacts of a Southwest left high and dry by tough conditions and bad planning. Both books show how thousands of subsistence farmers in Mexico and Central America can lose their tenuous livelihoods to the floods and famines of “global weirding” and be left with few options. Many crowd the shantytown sprawl of nearby urban areas, while others head north, hop the wall, and find themselves a job or a jail cell.

In this vein, the Borderlands and Beyond Coal programs are similar: One hopes to address the root causes of human migration, lessening the environmental impacts of border militarization and helping would-be refugees stay home and stay happy. The other aims to keep coal in the ground, where it can do no harm to humans, wherever we may live.

Dan is the chapter’s Border Conservation Program Coordinator and works on Coal to Clean Energy issues.

2000

Flagstaff residents celebrated Arizona’s centennial in a most special way. Thanks to over a decade of work by the Picture Canyon Working Group, which includes representa-tives of more than a dozen organizations, the State Land Department held a hearing in Flagstaff on February 14, 2012, to consider permanently protecting Picture Canyon.

What’s special about Picture Canyon? Picture Canyon was dedicated as a National Historic Site in 2008, due to its archaeologi-cal and historic significance. Harold Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizo-na, classified petroglyphs based on his obser-vations at Picture Canyon. The Rio de Flag passes through it, attracting wildlife. It is also an Audubon Bird Sanctuary.

Article 10 of the Arizona State Con-stitution requires Arizona’s state lands to be held in trust and sold or leased to primarily benefit our education system. In 2005, Flag-staff voters approved a bond measure to fund open space purchases. Last year, the Flagstaff Open Spaces Commission recommended

Alicyn is the Conservation Coordinator for the chapter’s Grand Canyon Protection Campaign.

A Centennial Gift from the State: Picture Canyon ProtectedBy Alicyn Gitlin

the City Council spend the remaining $3.18 million in that fund to purchase Pic-ture Canyon and to apply for a cost share by the state’s Land Conservation Fund (which Sierra Club and other organizations have worked to save from legislative sweeps). To allocate these funds, the state had to declare the property “suitable for conservation.”

Over 300 people showed up on Ari-zona’s centennial day to ask the State Land

Department to declare Picture Canyon “suitable for conser-vation.” Crowds had to be as-sembled in the lobby to avoid breaking fire codes! Many supporters wore plaid shirts to show solidarity.

The Conservation Advi-sory Committee unanimously agreed with us that about 330 acres of the parcel are suitable for conservation. The grant ap-plication process for the Land Conservation Fund is proceed-

ing. Future generations will explore North-ern Arizona’s ecological and archaeological resources and will develop a sense of place in this important landscape. We are grateful to the state and to everyone who worked hard to make sure that Picture Canyon won’t be locked away from those who love it.

Vice Mayor Celia Barotz addresses a full room. Photo by Tom Bean.

It’s time for America to get smart about energy and be less dependent on dwindling oil reserves. We need to increase our use of clean, renew-able energy sources like solar and

wind power. Let your voice be heard.

Add your voice to protect the planet. Join Sierra Club.



Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Under AttackBy John Pifer

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monu-ment is an International Biosphere Reserve in which 96% of the land has been desig-nated as a wilderness since 1978. Currently, the monument is under attack by a number of human activities that have degraded this once pristine desert landscape that is home to many unique plant and animal species.

The monument lies in southern Arizo-na along the border with Mexico where the major east/west highway crosses just below the border with the U.S. As a consequence, it has been a focus of human and drug smug-gling for more than 20 years. Prior to 2005, vehicles would cross the border and be aban-doned within the monument. The tracks that are left by vehicles and people walking through the desert are a source for surface erosion and degradation of the desert.

A vehicle barrier was completed along the border in 2006, which prevents vehicles from entering from Mexico. This has been quite successful in reducing illegal activity, but, at the same time, there has been an ex-pansion of the use of off-road vehicles by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the point that the number of vehicle tracks per kilometer has doubled every two years since 2004–2005; apparently 95% of these new vehicle tracks are caused by DHS vehicles.

There is an agreement that the Border Patrol agents should only use undesignated roads when in hot pursuit of border crossers. It is not clear to what extent this agreement is being followed. The destruction caused by vehicles can last many years and often is permanent. The increase in activity has continued despite a dramatic decline in the entrance of illegal immigrants. DHS is cur-rently enlarging its facilities along the border and, it appears, will continue its aggressive approach within this environmentally-sensi-tive area.

A pedestrian fence was completed along a five-mile portion of the border in 2008.

This has disrupted the flow of water and caused debris piles at the fence, leading to increased sedimentation and elevation of the washes. One segment of the fence was even destroyed due to flooding during the summer monsoon season. The decreased ca-pacity for the flow of water in these washes along the border will have long-term effects in terms of channel realignment and altera-tion of the vegetation along the washes close to the border.

Not all of the news is bad from Organ Pipe. The staff at the National Park Service has improved the hydrology at the Quito-

John is a volunteer with the Sierra Club Borderlands Project.

baquito Pond, which sits just north of the border. This has allowed the water level to increase to near-normal levels from a point where it was in danger of drying up entirely. The population of the endangered lesser long-nosed bat has doubled over the past decade, and many areas of the monument remain a pristine wilderness. Most of the native desert species continue to thrive in the monument, although some are stressed, mostly due to the border issues.

Alamo Canyon at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Photo by Joshua Boles.



Bill is a native Arizonan, desert plant lover, Sierra Club member, and on the Friends of Ironwood Forest board.

The Nichol’s Turk’s Head Cactus, a Conservation Success StoryBy Bill Thornton

Created in 2000 by presidential proc-lamation, the Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) west of Tucson pro-tects 129,000 acres of prime Sonoran Des-ert, including the densest known stands of desert ironwood and the endangered Nich-ol’s Turk’s head cactus.

An illegal airstrip in the monument cre-ated ideal conditions for an infestation of buffelgrass, a non-native, invasive grass. If left unchecked, the infestation could spread with devastating consequences. Buffelgrass forms a dense mat that can choke out na-tive desert plants and fuel high-intensity fires previously unknown in the Sonoran Desert. One of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems can be converted to a sterile monoculture in a sickeningly short time.

Our own Sandy Bahr organized the first groups of volunteers to attack the infestation. When eradication efforts began in 2005, the site was a veritable sea of buffelgrass that was creeping into critical habitat for the Nichol’s Turk’s head. Short-term strategy was to nib-ble around the edges while plans developed to clear the whole site. Early control efforts received a major boost with the formation of

Friends of Ironwood Forest in 2007. A new corps of energetic volunteers joined forces

with volunteers from Sierra Club, the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, and others to continue work at the airstrip and to seek out and attack buffelgrass wherever it was found in the monu-ment.

When management plans were completed, hand removal was supple-mented with carefully controlled ap-plications of herbicide (glyphosate). Sprayed buffelgrass was ploughed under with a chisel hoe, and boul-ders were positioned to keep vehicles out. Revegetation began after the last buffelgrass was cleared in 2010, but the job isn’t finished. The site is closely monitored, and buffelgrass seedlings are removed before they can mature and set seed. It will take another three to four years before the area can be declared buffelgrass free. During that time, re-seeded desert vegetation will establish itself, and an ugly scar on the landscape will begin to heal.

As conservationists, we savor our successes but remain cognizant of the many challenges that remain. Buffelgrass is a se-

A Nichol’s Turk’s Head cactus in bloom. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

rious – but by no means the only – threat to the Nichol’s Turk’s head and the overall ecosystem. Portions of IFNM continue to be impacted by drug and people smuggling, illegal off-road vehicle use, vandalism, il-legal shooting, and wildcat trash dumping. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource managers are spread thin, but the Friends of Ironwood Forest, Bighorn Sheep, and Native Plant societies have stepped up to supplement their efforts. In addition to removing buffelgrass, the “Friends” have col-lected tons of trash and have worked to con-trol erosion and to erase closed roads. The Bighorn Sheep Society erected barriers to destructive off-road vehicle traffic. The Na-tive Plant Society led revegetation efforts by collecting and planting seeds.

The IFNM began with lines on a map and a vision for the future. Cooperation and a lot of hard work by citizen volunteers and the BLM have helped make that vision a reality. Hopefully, the Nichol’s Turk’s head here will now be able to grow to a ripe old age.

The run-up in metal prices the last few years has prompted a major spike in mineral exploration and proposed new mines, caus-ing much concern over the fate of some of our highly valuable public lands.

Foremost among mining proponents is Resolution Copper Mining (RCM). In ad-dition to trying to develop the massive ore body on the Tonto National Forest at Oak Flat, RCM is looking to explore for addi-tional copper over a roughly 60-square-mile area from Superior north almost to the Gila County line. Called a magnetotelluric sur-vey, this process causes minimal surface dis-turbance but could greatly expand a drilling exploration program already underway. At the same time, RCM is looking to acquire over 7,000 acres of state trust land near Flor-ence Junction for its rock dump and tailing piles.

Arizona’s New Land RushBy Don Steuter

ASARCO (owner of the Ray Mine) is moving forward in its attempt to expand mining operations at Copper Butte south of the White Canyon Wilderness. Like RCM, it is looking to purchase state land for min-ing waste; this site is just south of the Gila River alongside the popular Arizona Trail.

Near Wickenburg, exploration has in-tensified at the Newsboy site downstream from the Hassayampa River Preserve. Now owned by Bullfrog Gold Corporation, the mine would be on Bureau of Land Manage-ment land and would likely be considerably larger than a mining operation proposed for the site in the early ’90s.

Farther north, near Kirkland Junction on the Prescott National Forest, a venture capitalist company is trying to get permits for a gold placer mine in Milk Creek. This project, together with another proposed

operation in the Hassayampa near Wilhoit, signals a return to creek bed mining that See Land Rush continued on pg. 10.

Placer mine and settling pond in the Hassayampa River. Photo by Tom Slaback.



SENATE HOUSEA+ Alston (LD 15), Farley (LD 28),

McCune-Davis (LD 14)

A Aboud (LD 28), Cajero Bedford (LD 27), Jackson (LD 2), Landrum-Taylor (LD 16), Lopez (LD 29), Lujan (LD 15), Meza (LD 14), Schapira (LD 17)

Arredondo (LD 17), Campbell (LD 14), Chabin (LD 2), Gallego (LD 16), Heinz (LD 29), Hobbs (LD 15), Meyer (LD 11), C. Miranda (LD 16), Quezada (LD 13), Saldate (LD 27), Tovar (LD 13)

B Gallardo (LD 13) Ableser (LD 17), Gonzales (LD 27), Wheeler (LD 28)

C Hale (LD 2), Pancrazi (LD 24)

D Reeve (LD 6)

F Allen (LD 5), Antenori (LD 30), Barto (LD 7), Biggs (LD 22), Burges (LD 4), Crandall (LD 19), Driggs (LD 11), Gould (LD 3), L. Gray (LD 10), Griffin (LD 25), Klein (LD 6), Lewis (LD 18), McComish (LD 20), Melvin (LD 26), Murphy (LD 9), Nelson (LD 12), Pierce (LD 1), Reagan (LD 8), Shooter (LD 24), S. Smith (LD 23), Yarbrough (LD 21)

Ash (LD 18), Barton (LD 5), Brophy McGee (LD 11), Carter (LD 7), Court (LD 18), Crandell (LD 5), Dial (LD 20), Fann (LD 1), Farnsworth (LD 22), Fillmore (LD 23), Forese (LD 21), Goodale (LD 3), Gowan (LD 30), R. Gray (LD 9), Harper (LD 4), Jones (LD 24), Judd (LD 25), Kavanagh (LD 8), Lesko (LD 9), Lovas (LD 4), McLain (LD 3), Mesnard (LD 21), Montenegro (LD 12), Olson (LD 19), Pierce (LD 19), Pratt (LD 23), Proud (LD 26), Robson (LD 20), Seel (LD 6), Burnell Smith (LD 7), Stevens (LD 25), Tobin (LD 1), Ugenti (LD 8), Urie (LD 22), Vogt (LD 30), Jerry Weiers (LD 12), Jim Weiers (LD 10), Williams (LD 26), Yee (LD 10)

F Governor Brewer

Conservation did not become one of the five “Cs” at the Arizona Legislature in this Centennial year, nor was there much consideration for one of the current “Cs” – climate – unless you count the efforts to eliminate sustainability programs, under-mine energy efficiency, and weaken renew-able energy efforts. Although these bills failed, the Legislature sent a clear message that it does not support a strong renewable-energy-based economy nor common sense programs to save people money on their electric bills through energy efficiency.

Legislators also demonstrated that they are out of step with most Arizonans on public lands protections. A majority of leg-islators passed a bill to demand that federal public lands be turned over to the state so the state can proceed with selling them off. Fortunately, this measure was vetoed by the governor.

That is not the end of the public lands issue, however. The Legislature referred to the ballot a proposed constitutional amend-ment on “state sovereignty.” It proclaims that Arizona controls federal public lands and that important federal environmental laws – Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act – do not apply in Arizona. We will be seeking a “NO” vote on this measure when it appears on the ballot as Proposition 120 (see pg. 11).

The mining industry, which releases more toxics than any other industry in our state, fared well again this session with the Legislature passing additional exemptions from environmental protections specific

2012 Arizona Legislature: Polluters’ Best FriendBy Sandy Bahr

to this industry. All mining companies got an exemption from the law that protects Arizona’s groundwater, plus will likely take advantage of the “Polluter Protection Act” (HB2199) promoted by lobbyists for both Freeport McMoRan and the Arizona Min-ing Association.

The environmental audit privilege or “Polluter Protection Act” allows companies to perform audits and keep the information secret, plus that information cannot be used for enforcement actions, even if it demon-strates a clear violation of an environmental law. To make sure the information is kept from the public, the bill also includes sanc-tions for whistle-blowers. This concept has been around in various iterations for about 20 years but was rejected repeatedly – until this year when it passed and was signed into law by Governor Brewer.

A long list of embarrassing bills domi-nated the session, including the ones men-tioned above. Most notable of these was an anti-United Nations diatribe to block sustainability measures at the state and lo-cal level. Several key House Republicans worked this behind the scenes and, with the Democratic caucus, were able to make sure the votes were not there to pass it.

Like 2011, it was a highly partisan ses-sion. Most anti-environmental bills passed along party lines – 39 House members and 21 senators received failing grades. On a positive note, three representatives earned an “A+,” which means they voted 100 percent pro-environment and also did not miss a vote on the key bills we scored. Seven sena-

tors and 11 House members received an “A.” Governor Brewer again earned an “F.”

Overall, the 50th Legislature demon-strated it was a Polluter’s Best Friend and no friend to conservation.

To view the full report card, go to http://arizona.sierraclub.org or contact Sandy Bahr at 602-253-8633 for a hard copy.

Sandy is the Chapter Director.

was so prevalent in the late 1800s and that destroyed many riparian areas. These creeks would be torn up to obtain less than half of one percent gold, the remainder being waste.

In addition to the proposed Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains near Tuc-son, several exploration projects are under-way south of the town of Patagonia. Most troubling is the Wildcat Silver project locat-ed in the Harshaw Creek watershed, a tribu-tary of Sonoita Creek, home to a State Natu-ral Area and the Sonoita Creek Preserve.

And then there are the uranium mines near the Utah border and proposals for more that pose a risk to these remote areas.

Being a cyclical industry, metal prices now seem to be dropping, but there is no sign of the land rush slowing. With virtually free access to public lands, no royalty pay-ments, and erosion of already weak environ-mental regulations, mining is encouraged over all uses of public land – a policy that needs to change.

Don is the chapter’s Conservation Chair and Mining Chair.

Land Rush continued from pg. 9.Dark Skies continued from pg. 6.

Arizona in order to see dark skies and the Milky Way. Many people move here to study the skies for work and enjoyment. In addition, wildlife in the area are adapted to dark skies. Animals either avoid the lit areas or are befuddled by them. Right now, Grand Canyon and surrounding areas is one of the largest expanses of unlit area in the lower 48 states.

Help preserve our dark skies by fighting against indiscriminate development and by working to ameliorate the development that

has already taken place; fight to have the FAA approve the radar-activated lighting already in place on the Perrin Ranch wind turbines and to put similar systems on the airport beacons along State Route 64. The lights on the towers are in the process of being approved by the FAA. If approved, this system will allow the lights to remain off, unless radar detects an airplane in the area.

Learn more about the importance of dark skies at http://www.darksky.org.

Anne is a dark skies advocate.



Oh to swim in the fresh waters of Arizona!

To see the sky so blue without a cloud in the sky.

This is the beauty of the Sierra Sona

With a quiet day for all to enjoy the desert’s magic.

–Georgette Valle

Classified Ads(To inquire about advertising, contact 602-253-9140 or [email protected].)

FOR RENT. Cabin and Airstream trailers at Blue River Wilderness Retreat near Alpine, AZ. Pines, flowing streams, and bordered by National Forest. Outstanding hiking, fishing, and birding. Reasonable rates by week or month. www.blueriverretreat.com – [email protected] – 928-339-4426.

LASTING INJURY RELIEF – With Muscle Relief Technique/deep tissue massage/stretching, I make it happen. The upside of you not making an appointment?- there are none.... call me, John Evans LMT. 480-495-0898 over 15 years of helping people.

PIANO, UPRIGHT. Finish is walnut polish. French curve legs. Strong sound in lovely package. Appraisal, photos upon request. Buyer must transport. $700 negotiable. 480-310-5102 or [email protected].

AFRICA UGANDA. Mountain Gorillas / chimpanzee – primate tracking and wildlife safari, cultural visits to local villages. Nov. 27 - Dec. 8. Wild Dolphin swim Bimini retreat Aug. 25 - 31. Peru, Nazca lines, Machu Picchu Oct. 18 - 28. Small groups, one of a kind custom tours for kindred spirits. www.ajourneyofdiscovery.com or call 727-785-5563 Florida.

COOL MOUNTAIN VACATIONS. Near Alpine, AZ. All-inclusive packages: delicious meals, wonderful rooms, day hikes OR rent the lovely, spacious home for self-catered vacation. Great for larger groups. www.charleysmtretreat.com 602.579.9310 [email protected].

BACKPACKING. Married couple in Tucson interested in meeting couples who like to hike and backpack. We hike/backpack year-round in mountains of Southern AZ; backpack July-Aug in Colorado. Bob: 520-310-4856.

Two Ballot Measures Affecting Arizona’s Lands

Two measures affecting Arizona’s public lands and state trust lands were passed by the Arizona Legislature and will appear on the ballot this November.

Proposition 119 – State Trust Lands Exchanges – If passed by voters, this proposed constitutional amendment would provide a mechanism to exchange state trust land for federal public lands. Unlike many previous proposals, this mechanism includes accountability and transparency and can help facilitate protection of key lands, such as those near the San Pedro River, while ensuring that the exchange is in the best interest of the public and the trust. Individual exchanges must be approved by voters before they can be finalized, which is a key protection against abuse. We are asking for a “Yes” vote on Proposition 119.

Proposition 120 – “State Sovereignty” – This proposed constitutional amendment asserts “state sovereignty” and establishes that the state has exclusive authority and jurisdiction over air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife, and other natural resources in the state. This is a legislative land grab to take control of federal public lands – national parks, forests, monuments, and more – and to undermine protections provided by federal environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and Clean Water Act. While this measure is unconstitutional, it would send a terrible message if passed. Besides, Arizona cannot properly manage and care for its state parks; how would it possibly oversee places such as Grand Canyon? We are asking Arizonans to vote “NO” on Proposition 120.

Other measures affecting Arizona lands and wildlife may also be on the ballot, including one on Arizona’s State Parks, but that is a citizen initiative and the signatures have not yet been filed.

Are you interested in learning more and helping get the word out to voters about these ballot measures?

Please contact Sandy Bahr 602-253-8633 or [email protected].

In Memory

Sierra Club lost some important friends in the last few months.

Karen Amacker

Long-time Sierra Club volunteer Karen Amacker lost her battle with breast cancer. Karen served as the Political Committee chair at both the group and chapter level and was particularly engaged in the Palo Verde Group leadership. We remember her service and send condolences to her family and friends.

Bob and Joanne Grossman

In early May, we lost Bob and Joanne Grossman, who provided decades of service to environmental protection. Bob and Joanne were always environmentally conscience, design-ing an energy-efficient home in 1963 and a passive solar one when they retired to Prescott in 1980. Besides being active in Sierra Club hiking, cross-country skiing, and monitoring of the Verde River, they also contributed their energies to the Arizona Archeological Soci-ety, Prescott Creeks, Citizens Water Advocacy Group, and Prescott Universalist Fellowship. When they could no longer physically participate in these activities, Bob then served on the Yavapai Group Executive Committee as Political Chair. Bob and Joanne were always free thinkers and a voice of reason in the vast wilderness of Prescott. We join their family and friends in celebrating lives well lived.

Joanne (left) and Bob (right) Grossman monitoring the Verde River with Gary Beverly (center). Photo by Tom Slaback.

mailto:[email protected]




Happenings Around the StateSix groups make up the Grand Canyon Chapter. All the events and meetings listed below are open to members interested in learning more about the Sierra Club. You can find out more at our website: http://arizona.sierraclub.org/meetings_events.asp. Schedules are subject to change. (x) Group Ex-Com members

Palo Verde Group (Phoenix)http://arizona.sierraclub.org/paloverde

Chair/Membership: Michael Brady (x) 480-250-4054 [email protected]: Fareed Abou-Haidar (x) 480-345-1779 [email protected]: Jerry Nelson (x) 602-279-4668 [email protected]: Blair McLaughlin (x) 602-618-8591 [email protected]: Don Steuter (x) 602-956-5057 [email protected]: Jim Vaaler (x) 602-553-8208 [email protected] City Outings: Lisa Vaaler 602-468-4158 [email protected]: Ute Brady (x) 480-250-9716 [email protected] Justice: Gil Venable (x) 602-254-4574 [email protected] (At-Large): David McCaleb (x) 602-840-7655 [email protected]

Rincon Group (Tucson)http://arizona.sierraclub.org/rincon

Chair: Randy Serraglio (x) 520-784-1504 [email protected]: Keith Bagwell (x) 520-623-0269 [email protected]: Ken Bierman 520-661-7555 [email protected]: Roy Emrick (x) 520-326-7883 [email protected]: Russell Lowes (x) 520-321-3670 [email protected]: Mitch Stevens 520-991-1199 [email protected] City Outings: Judy Rubin 520-891-3310 [email protected]: Lee Oler 520-791-9246 [email protected]: Natalie Lucas (x) 928-600-7844 [email protected] (At-Large): Michelle Crow (x) 520-743-9958 [email protected]

Carl Kanun (x) 520-297-1128 [email protected] 3 and SEP 4 (TUE) 7 p.m. Conservation Committee meetings. Contact Don Steuter. JUL 10 and SEP 11 (TUE) 7 p.m. Executive Committee meetings. Contact Mike Brady. Meetings are held in the 2nd floor conference room in the SE corner of the Quality Inn, 202 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. No meetings in August.

Programs are held in the Garden Room of the Quality Inn, 202 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact Ute Brady.

No program in August.

JUL 17 (TUE) 6 p.m. Pizza and Politics! Join us for pizza and a political workshop. Learn more about what happened at the Arizona Legislature this session and what you can do to help promote environmental protection in the coming session by becoming a Citizen Lobbyist. Chapter Director Sandy Bahr will conduct an interactive advocacy workshop that is packed with fun and information – and pizza! RSVP so we can plan to have enough information packets and enough pizza.

SEP 18 (TUE) 6:30 p.m. Exploring Escalante Canyon Country. Join author Rudi Lambrechtse for a spectacular multimedia presentation on Utah’s Escalante River. The author of the guidebook “Hiking the Escalante,” Rudi is one of the undisputed experts on Southern Utah’s wild and scenic Escalante Canyon system.

AUG 30 and SEP 27 (THU) Conservation Committee (6 p.m.) and Executive Committee (7:15 p.m.) meetings. Located in the first floor conference room of the Historic YWCA, 738 N. Fifth Ave., Tucson. Open to the public. Sierra Club members, in particular, are urged to attend and to participate. Hope to see you there!

Programs are on the second Thursday of each month at SEIU (Service Employees International Union), 1600 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson. Free and open to the public. For more

information, contact Keith Bagwell. No program in July or August.

SEP 13 (THU) 7 p.m. Polluters’ Best Friend: the 2012 Arizona Legislature. The Arizona Legislature demonstrated quite clearly this session that it was a Polluter’s Best Friend and no friend to conservation. From giving polluters a shield of secrecy for environmental law violations to providing more exemptions to the mining industry -- the state’s biggest polluter – the Legislature weakened protections for our environment. Despite Arizonans’ significant and strong support for public lands in Arizona, the Legislature, after Gov. Brewer vetoed a measure for the state to take control of federal public lands, referred to the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to accomplish the same goal. Find out more from Sierra Club Chapter Director and Lobbyist Sandy Bahr about these and other travesties and what we can do to help promote strong environmental protections in Arizona.

A Visit to a Small CactusBy Tim Cullison

The tiny, endangered Brady pincushion cactus. Photo by Daniela Roth.Tim is an active Sierra Club member.

Last year, my wife and I visited the Ver-milion Cliffs to see condors. The owner of the Lees Ferry Lodge, where we stayed, told us about a plot of the endangered Brady pincushion cactus not too far away. Since its discovery in 1958, this little cactus has experienced a serious decline because of col-lecting, drought, insects, vehicle traffic, and livestock trampling. It was listed as endan-gered in 1979. Attempts to block access in the past have been circumvented by vandals who have torn out locked gates and fences.

After traversing a short, bumpy dirt road, we arrived at a narrow ridge of Marble Canyon overlooking the Colorado River. Across the canyon we could see the trailhead

for the Jackass Trail, which winds down to the river. We had to look sharp not to step on the three-centimeters-in-diameter cacti, with an average of only 1.5 centimeters peeping above ground. There were a total of no more than 60 plants, and, after moving about, we noticed that some were labeled with aluminum tags. That made them easier to find. Monitoring is apparently conducted by the Bureau of Land Management.

This is one fussy cactus. It will grow only on a mixture of Moenkopi shale and Kaibab limestone and likes to live only in the Great Basin desert scrub community. This habitat is found only on the Colorado Plateau at about 1200 meters elevation on

the east and west rims of Marble Canyon in Coconino County. It is apparently pos-sible to grow the plant away from its habi-tat only by grafting.

Did you ever feel sorry for a cactus? I experienced the emotion after viewing the pitifully few remaining specimens of this species. They were…just cute! But so fragile. Who was the comedian who said that his life was like having one foot on a precipice and the other on a banana peel?

If you decide to visit, Maggie, the owner of Lees Ferry Lodge, can direct you to the cactus site as well as to condor roost-ing sites. Just be careful where you step!



Saguaro Group (North Maricopa County)http://arizona.sierraclub.org/saguaro

Chair/Secretary: Bob Moore (x) 480-543-7409 [email protected]/Membership: Louis Lantz (x) 480-575-1782 [email protected]: Urb Weidner 602-595-3301 [email protected]/Fundraising: Bev Full (x) 480-221-2554 [email protected]: Nancy Santori (x) 623-780-4734 [email protected]: Lynne Cockrum-Murphy (x) 602-569-6078 [email protected] Co-Chair: Jim Wilkey (x) 480-649-2836 [email protected]: Pete Weinelt 623-388-2209 [email protected]: Doug Murphy (x) 602-569-6078 [email protected]

Sedona/Verde Valley Grouphttp://arizona.sierraclub.org/sedona

Chair: Brian Myers (x) 928-204-1703 [email protected]: Bob Donahue (x) 928-639-1885 [email protected]: Carole Binswanger 928-282-1206 [email protected]: Margaret Anderson 928-203-4355 [email protected] (At Large): Anne Crosman (x) 928-284-9252 [email protected]

Carole Piszczek-Sheffield (x) 928-204-1517 [email protected] Rayner (x) 928-203-0340 [email protected]

For information about activities in the Sedona/Verde Valley area, contact Brian Myers.

Yavapai Group (Prescott)http://arizona.sierraclub.org/yavapai

Chair/Conservation: Tom Slaback (x) 928-778-4233 [email protected]/Outings: Gary Beverly (x) 928-636-2638 [email protected]/Political: Joe Zarnoch (x) 928-636-5501 [email protected]: Constance Eichenlaub (x) 928-776-2402 [email protected]

JUL 11, AUG 1, SEP 5 (WED) 6 p.m. Executive Committee meetings. Note: due to 4th of July being on our normal meeting night, we have changed the date to one week later. All members are invited to attend and participate in these meetings where we discuss local issues, receive updates on current projects, set our priorities, and formulate plans of action.

JUL 22 (SUN). Outreach event. Visit us at our Verde Wild and Scenic booth at the Arts and Crafts Fair on the Plaza. Volunteers to help contact the public are appreciated. Contact Gary Beverly.

Volunteers needed! Film Nite is in hiatus until a member comes forward to volunteer to host our monthly showing of an environmentally-themed movie. If you are available to volunteer your abode, contact Tom Slaback.

Volunteers are also needed to fill a seat on the Executive Committee, Programs Chair, and Membership Chair. Help is also needed to monitor the flow of the Upper Verde River on a continuing basis, and there are numerous proposals for gold mines on the Prescott National Forest that we need to site check. Contact Tom if you are interested in helping with any of these.

Help establish a Wild and Scenic River designation for the Upper Verde River (letters of support are needed). Contact Gary to find out how you can help.

Let us know what your interests are as a volunteer. To subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, contact Gary. Current announcements may be found there and on our website.

JUL 27–29 (FRI–SUN) Annual Greer weekend. Sign up for this relaxing, cool weekend. Accommodations and meals will be in a spacious log cabin at Greer Lodge. On Saturday, we will hike Mt. Baldy. We will show and discuss a film about the endangered Mexican wolf that has been reintroduced in this area. Carpool to Greer on Friday and return on Sunday afternoon. Contact Bev Full for more information.

AUG 26 (SUN) 3 p.m. Annual fundraiser. Located at the view home of Louis and Carol Lantz in Tonto Hills. The 40-min. film Carbon Nation will be shown, followed by a hike on Gold Mountain, happy hour, barbeque dinner, and entertainment. Contact Bev Full for more information.

SEP 19 (WED) 5 p.m. Candidate reception. Meet some of the environmentally-friendly candidates who are running for important local and state offices in the November 6 General Election. Come for conversation and refreshments. Held in the meeting room of Desert Broom Library, 29710 Cave Creek Rd. Contact Bob Moore for more information.

Plateau Group (Flagstaff)http://arizona.sierraclub.org/plateau

Chair/Political: Tom Martin (x) 928-556-0742 [email protected]: Jim McCarthy (x) 928-779-3748 [email protected]/Membership: Cynthia Pardo (x) 928-380-9175 [email protected]: Sharon Galbreath 928-774-1571 [email protected]: Marti Callahan (x) 928-525-9165 [email protected]: Sarah King 928-266-0475 [email protected] (At Large): Steve McKellar (x) 928-526-4864 [email protected]

JUL 9 (MON) Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. Join us for this discussion of the recent contract award for 10 years and 300,000 acres of thinning across northern Arizona. The 4FRI is a collaborative effort to restore ecological structure, pattern, and function across 2.4 million acres of northern Arizona’s forests. Sierra Club has been an active participant in this unprecedented effort to restore our forests. Located at the Thorpe Center, 245 N. Thorpe Rd., Flagstaff. For more information, please contact Sarah King.

Congrats, Tucson ICO!

Many thanks to the Tucson Inner City Outings (ICO) Program for continuing to engage youth in the outdoors! In the 2011–2012 school year, this group expanded its program with 393 youth and 71 adults joining a total of 35 outings. This was its biggest year yet! Tucson ICO also attracted new volunteers, worked with new youth organizations, discovered new funding sources, and sought new ways to get the word out, including through a Facebook account.

Are you interested in learning more or getting involved? Visit their webpage at http://ico.sierraclub.org/tucson or email [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Tucson ICO.



Explore and Enjoy ArizonaFor up-to-date information about outings, visit http://arizona.sierraclub.org/outings.asp.

JUL 1 (SUN) “C” Honey Bee Canyon (2 mi., 100’ EC). Early morning summer hikes in this canyon are relatively cooler and afford wildlife and bird viewing op-portunities. Bring water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, hat/sunscreen, and an interest in learning about desert ecol-ogy. Basic desert plant, bird, and wildlife identification will be included, so don’t expect a high-speed hike. Families with quiet, well-behaved children over 10 are welcome; please be sure that your child can hike the distance. Limit 8. Start time 6:30 a.m. Contact Beth Ann Krueger at 520-405-5470 or yardengine1919@ hotmail.com. Tucson

JUL 21 (SAT) “C+” Abbey Way (4 mi. RT, 820’ EC). We will hike the Abbey Way Trail to Aztec Peak (7748’), the highest point in the Sierra Ancha Mountains north of Globe. Abbey Way snakes gen-tly through beautiful mixed conifer forest to the summit, which offers sandstone cliffs that had once been the shoreline of an ancient Cambrian sea. We’ll en-joy views unlike any in Arizona. We will discuss flora and fauna of the area and the literature of Edward Abbey. Call Mike Brady at 480-250-4054. Phoenix

JUL 27–29 (FRI–SUN) Greer Weekend. Sign up for this relaxing, cool weekend. See description in Saguaro Group ac-tivities on pg. 13. Contact Bev Full at 480-221 2554 or [email protected].

JUL 28 (SAT) “B” Green Mountain Trail/Guthrie Mountain (6.5 mi. RT, 1800’ EC). Escape the summer heat and bag a fun little-known peak in the cool pines of Mt. Lemmon. Guthrie does not see a lot of visitors, but the peak features spec-tacular and nearly 360° views from its 7281’ summit. We will start on the up-per Green Mountain trailhead and com-plete a shuttle hike to the lower General Hitchcock Campground trailhead. Areas were burned in the fires of 2002–2003, but the recovery process is well under-way. We will observe and discuss ecol-ogy of the sky island ranges of South-ern Arizona. Contact Mitch Stevens at 520-991-1199 or [email protected]. Limit 12. Tucson

AUG 5 (SUN) “C” Aspen Loop Trail (4 mi., 650’ EC). We will start early and drive to Marshall Gulch high in the Santa Catalina Mountains. During a snack break, we will discuss the effects of the Bullock and Aspen Fires (2002 and 2003) and the role of natural fire in southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. Limit 18. Contact Meg Weesner at 520-290-1723 or [email protected]. Tucson

AUG 11 (SAT) “B” Mount Baldy Loop (14 mi. RT, 2800’ EC). Mount Baldy is Arizona’s second highest mountain. We start on the West Trailhead at a pleasant 9300’, following a perennial creek. As we ascend the countless switchbacks, the views keep improving. We meet the East Baldy Trail close to the summit and head down through rocky scenery. We will see an old air plane crash site and lush green meadows, which will make it hard to believe that this is summer in AZ. You will want to stay, and indeed there is the option to camp out over the weekend. Contact John Damaschke-Che at [email protected] (preferred) or 520-360-2507. Tucson

AUG 12 (SUN) “C” Escudilla Peak (6.6 mi. RT, 1300’ EC). This is Arizona’s third highest mountain. The mountain fea-tures a wide bowl-like area with several open meadows. It also features an old fire lookout at the summit, which was blazed over in the 2011 wildfire. With the trailhead above 9500’, this is an exceptionally nice chance to get away from the summer heat. To hikers, Es-cudilla means, “This is so great, I don’t want to go back to the office.” Consider the option to stay over the weekend to break up the long drive. This will be an exploratory trip and first visit after the fire. Contact John Damaschke-Che at [email protected] (pre-ferred) or 520-360-2507. Tucson

AUG 18 (SAT) “C” Pueblo Canyon Over-look (6.4 mi. RT, 1200’ EC). We’ll take the scenic drive past Workman Falls to Murphy’s Ranch in the remote Sierra Ancha Mountains. From there, we’ll hike along the upper end of colorful, rugged sheer cliffs to the Pueblo Canyon Bluff Overlook where we’ll have views of the

Explore, Enjoy, Learn, and Contribute

Join us on these wild adventures! Any funds in excess of trip expenses will be used to support chapter projects. Carpooling is available for all trips. For reservations and information about the following outings, please contact Bev Full at 480-221-2554 or [email protected].

JUL 8–10 (SUN–TUE) Black Canyon of the Colorado River Canoeing. Canoe/kayak through historic and scenic Black Canyon, where intriguing side canyons lead to hot springs. Enjoy lunch while sitting in cool water. Two nights are in the Hacienda Hotel in Boulder, NV, only a short hike to Lake Mead to see the famous new bridge and Hoover Dam. Cost: $225 includes canoe, shuttle, lunch on river, and motel.

AUG 13–18 (MON–SAT) Flaming Gorge and Green River Rafting. Explore Arches National Park and Flaming Gorge Lake in Utah, then pack the rafts for three days rafting in easy, fun class 1 and 2 rapids, sightseeing and camping along the way. Cost: $275 includes raft, shuttle, food while camping, and campground fees.

SEP 20–25 (THU–TUE) Cataract Canyon White Water Rafting and Grand Gulch Hiking. Camp and hike in Grand Gulch and in Grand Staircase Canyons, then board rafts to experience the 28 named rapids on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park. Cost: $395 includes guided raft trip and meals in camp. Not included are meals while traveling and lodging in Green River.

OCT 28–31 (SUN–WED) Rainbow Bridge National Monument Camping and Hiking. Take ferry to Rainbow Bridge National Monument for moonlight camping, hiking, and exploring. The monument was established in 1910 and houses the largest natural bridge in the world. Cost: $275 includes meals in camp, boat fares, and camping permits.

NOV 27–30 (TUE–FRI) Canoe/Kayak the Lower Colorado River through Imperial Wildlife Preserve. Camp at Picacho Peak Park and Norton’s Lake in the preserve. Hike trails in the preserve and enjoy the visitors’ center. Experience a guided power boat trip up river to Draper’s Lake, then paddle back to Sandy Beach Camp before paddling on to Norton’s Landing to camp and explore. We’ll then head on to Fisher’s Landing, stopping to hike and have lunch. Cost: $225 includes camp fees, meals in camp, shuttle, and canoe rental.

DEC 18–21 (TUE–FRI) Skiing and Snowshoeing in the Sunrise Ski Area. Join us in Greer, AZ, to stay in a large cabin for group dining and entertainment. Spend two days skiing or snowshoe this gorgeous area (rentals available). Experienced skiers will help beginners. Cost: $235 includes lodging and meals.

Kayakers on the Green River. Photo by Sandy Draus.





Explore and Enjoy ArizonaFor up-to-date information about outings, visit http://arizona.sierraclub.org/outings.asp.

Cherry Creek Drainage to the east and north. We’ll also visit perennial “Edward Spring” seep. We’ll pass through some areas burned in the Coon Fire and discuss the importance of wildfires in forest development. Call Mike Brady at 480-250-4054. Phoenix

AUG 25 (SAT) “C” Canyon Loop Trail and Birding Trail (3.3 mi., <500’ EC). Early summer mornings can be a per-fect time to view wildlife and birds in the desert. Join us on this easy hike in Catalina State Park. We will start with the Canyon Loop Trail and, with luck, will find water in the creek; we will finish with some bird watching on the Birding Trail. Basic desert plant, bird, and wildlife identification will be included, so don’t expect a high-speed hike. Experienced birders welcome (you can help us identify the birds). Bring

Sierra Club has, in the past, embraced new technologies. While Club members didn’t invent the climbing rope, they perfected its use and employed it for the first climb of the East Face of Mt. Whitney after the annual High Trip of 1931. Even so, Board of Directors member Ansel Adams warned “the mountains are more to us than a mere proving ground of strength and alert skill. Rock climbing should be considered a thrilling means to a more important end.” There has always been “a more important end” to Sierra Club outings that distinguish them from other hikes. Hiking groups that lack such a rich history and purpose have been quick to embrace a new technology for scheduling hikes called Meetup®. The Grand Canyon Chapter

followed suit over the past couple years, which has helped attract new members and further its cause. Grab hold of this new “rope” as we ascend into the 21st Century!

Just type http://www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Grand-Canyon-Chapter into your internet browser and you’re there! Then take a look around. You’ll see various outings and events posted. Go ahead click one. You’ll see a description of the outing, a time and place to meet, and names and pictures of hikers who have already signed up. You may notice that descriptions of outings are more detailed than those listed in the newsletter or online calendar (http://arizona.sierraclub.org/outings.asp). The post will often include a complete description of the outing, pictures, gear to bring, costs involved, and any other consideration the outings leader considers important. Plus, you can choose to receive an email when new activities are announced.

So this has to be complicated, right? I know people who claim to be virtually computer illiterate who know how to use Meetup. Registration is easy. Just click on the “Join us!” button at the upper right corner, then enter your name, email address, and password.

Other social media have been accused of being socially isolating. Meetup is just the oppo-site. It provides a safe opportunity for people to come together face-to-face with like-minded folks to do something interesting, in this case to go hiking or attend other Sierra Club func-tions. Other social media have also been accused of violating privacy. You will be prompted to give an introduction of yourself, but don’t worry if you’re not ready for that. Many people do provide at least one picture of themselves, but this is not needed, either.

Again, you don’t have to be computer savvy to use Meetup. Once you are registered (and you can get a friend to help you with this), with the click of a mouse, it’s actually easier than signing up for an event using email or telephone. The hardest thing you will ever do is actually go on the outing. Happy trails to you until we Meetup again!

Check it out at http://www.meetup.com/Sierra-Club-Grand-Canyon-Chapter!

Let’s Meetup®!By Steve Burkhart

binoculars, plenty of water, snacks, hat and sunscreen, hik-ing boots/shoes, and a curious mind. Limit 8. Start time 6:30 a.m. Contact Beth Ann Krueger at 520-405-5470 or [email protected]. Tucson

AUG 25 (SAT) “A” Seven Cataracts (4 mi. RT, 600’ EC). Canyoneering instruction session. Avid hikers/climbers will enjoy this technical outing as we rappel, swim, and traverse the spectacular Seven Cataracts of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Matt Nelson, a renowned guide and climber, will be on hand to instruct us in anchoring, rappelling, and ascending. This is a great opportunity to improve your skills at canyoneering. Participants must have previous rappelling or rock-climbing experience. Contact Mitch Stevens at 520-991-1199 or [email protected]. Limit 6. Tucson

SEP 15 (SAT) “B” Parker Creek (8 mi. RT, 2000’ EC). The Parker Creek Trail in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness Area is a nicely laid out trail that ascends through a mixed forest of conifer, oak, and juniper trees. Expect to see some spectacu-lar rock formations as we work our way up the trail. Once on top, we will follow an old abandoned trail to Rock Spring, where we will have lunch. The leader will bring along some old maps that show why this wilderness area has such an odd shape to it. Contact Jim Vaaler at 602-553-8208 or [email protected]. Phoenix

Steve is an active member.

Become a Volunteer Naturalist!

Are you passionate about environmental edu-cation? Would you like to expand your knowledge about Sabino Canyon? Become a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist (SCVN)!

SCVN is now recruiting for the Class of 2012. Training occurs on each Monday from September 4 – December 10, 2012. Graduates provide interpretation for regularly scheduled elementary field trip programs, hikes, and public bird, wildlife, and plant and geology nature walks and demonstrations, as well as perform conservation efforts to combat buffelgrass, giant reed, and other invasive species to preserve Sabino Canyon’s delicate ecological balance.

To learn more and to complete an application, visit http://www.SCVNTucson.org/join%20us.htm.

The Sierra Club is a nationwide organization with active local outings for members and non-members. Please join us as we make friends and explore life-enriching interests. Simply find an outing by date and contact the leader for directions, reservations, time, and additional information. RESTRICTIONS: NO FIREARMS, RADIOS, OR PETS (unless noted otherwise). Outings are by reservation. Call early (group limit 20). Each hike is rated for degree of difficulty and risk by the leader.

“A” >16 miles or > 3,000 ft. elevation change (EC)“B” 8–16 miles and 1,500–3,000 ft. EC“C” 3–8 miles, 500–1,500 ft. EC RT Round Trip“D” <3 miles and 500 ft. EC OW One Way

The trip leader has absolute authority to question trip participants as to their equipment, conditioning, and experience before and during the trip. All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. If you would like to read the liability waiver before you choose to participate in an outing, please go to http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or contact the National Out-ings Dept. at 415-977-5528 for a printed version. Sierra Club liability covers leaders only. Each person is responsible for his/her own first aid equipment. If you are injured, notify the leader immediately. If you leave the trip, with our without the leader’s permission, you are considered to be on your own until you rejoin the group. Hikers are encouraged to carpool and share the driver’s fuel expense. Donations are ac-cepted from all participants at $1 (member) and $3 (nonmember). Money is collected by the leader and deposited with the group treasurer. For more information, contact Jim Vaaler at 602-553-8208. Hikes and outings are also listed online and in the Sierra Singles newsletters. CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Hiking Guidelines



Sierra Service OutingsGet involved and make a difference! Join us for these exciting service outings!

Water Sentinels MonitoringVerde River – Saturday, July 7 and September 15

San Pedro River – Thursday, July 26 and September 20Contact: Steve Pawlowski, 602-254-9330, [email protected]

Get your hands dirty and your feet wet with the Arizona Water Sentinels! This is a great opportunity to help protect our important rivers. Sentinels collect water samples, make field observations, and

measure the dissolved oxygen, pH, and total dissolved solids concentrations. This data helps us track impacts to the rivers and advocate for actions to protect them. What could be better than

spending a day in gorgeous scenery while working to make a difference?

Kick Some Grass!Sunday, July 15 and September 23Contact: Steve Pawlowski, 602-254-9330, [email protected] us restore habitat! Join us for an invasive weed pull and clean-up at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, just south of downtown Phoenix. Once a dump site, the area is now a lush riparian corridor that supports a variety of wildlife and recreation opportunities.

We need help removing trash and buffelgrass, a non-native, invasive species that alters habitat and increases fire risk. Snacks, drinks, gloves, and tools provided.

Beat the Dog Days of Summer: Help with Desert Tortoise SurveysWednesday, July 18

Contact: Sandy Bahr, 602-253-8633, [email protected] are needed to help the Arizona Game and Fish Department search for juvenile desert tortoises on

Wednesday mornings in July and August. We are planning to go out on July 18 but may consider other dates, as well. The surveys involve very strenuous hiking/bouldering in search of juvenile tortoises. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

The volunteers came from across the nation: Massachusetts, Nevada, Louisiana, and Arizona. Some mentioned wanting to see the canyon again or escaping the rising heat, but all answered the call of service to make a difference in the most majestic of our national parks – Grand Canyon.

The National Park Service sponsored service outing put Sierra Club volunteers working side-by-side with the park vegeta-tion crew and Student Conservation Asso-ciation (SCA) interns to restore native plant communities at the Grand Canyon Visi-tor Center. From May 25–28, volunteers helped plant more than 400 native plants to revegetate an area that was once a road, as well as remove hundreds of invasive non-native plants.

The revegetation efforts are part of the South Rim Transportation Plan for the icon-ic Mather Point that moved roads, cars, and parking lots away from the scenic rim, cre-

Making a Grand DifferenceBy Trevor Ritter

ated greener and more natural-looking park-ing lots, and expanded shuttle bus access.

After several days of hard work, volun-teers and SCA interns emerged tired but sat-isfied at accomplishing the weekend’s goals. All were rewarded with a sunset barbeque dinner at beautiful Shoshone Point, which also celebrated Sierra Club’s 120th birthday.

Afterward, Alicyn Gitlin, the outing leader and Sierra Club’s program coordina-tor for the Protect the Grand Canyon Cam-paign, thanked all and introduced long-time Sierra Club member and Grand Canyon natural quiet activist Dick Hingson. Beside a roaring campfire at the edge of the canyon and encircled by volunteers, Dick read from selected passages of Sierra Club founder John Muir’s writings.

Special kudos goes to all the hard-work-ing volunteers and to Paradise Valley Trader Joe’s grocery store, which donated much of the food for the celebration barbeque.

Trevor is an active Sierra Club member.Volunteers work to restore native plant communities at Grand Canyon National Park.

Photo by Trevor Ritter.

Sonoran desert tortoise. Photo by Mark A. Wilson.

c a : cacti cienegas get involved in election season! · plateau: cynthia pardo sedona/verde...

Documents