Volunteer Opportunity Details:

This work day will include pulling, digging, excavating the invasive buffelgrass (which grows in dense clumps) on a south-facing 35 degree rocky slope in cholla country.
Buffelgrass grows densely and crowds out native plants of similar size. Competition for water can weaken and kill larger desert plants. Dense roots and ground shading prevent germination of seeds.

Where to meet. We will meet at the abandoned gravel pit on River Road outside of Mammoth at 9 a.m. Take 77 North through Mammoth. After crossing the dry San Pedro River, make a right onto River Road. Travel less than ½ mile. On the left will be a cleared out parking area next to the gravel pit. If you reach Verdugo Ranch Road (on the right) you’ve gone too far. Celeste Andresen, will meet you at the gravel pit in her black Ford F150. Celeste's cell number is 520.609.3420 if anyone gets lost along the way.

From the Tucson office, it will take about 1.5 hours to reach the gravel pit. We will shuttle from the meeting location to the work site as a high clearance 4WD vehicle is needed. We'll then hike approximately 100 yards to the work site.

What to wear and take: sturdy shoes, long pants, hat, gloves, and carry a small backpack with water bottles, snacks, and other necessary personal gear. What to take: water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, any other desert gear you like to have along, and a small-toothed comb in case you touch a cholla.. We will be relatively close to the truck which will have a water cooler with ice and snacks and an ice chest. There will be a small first aid kit but if anyone has special needs (Epi-pens, etc.) please bring that. Tools including shovels and other digging type tools will be provided. If you have a favorite extraction / digging tool, please bring it.

Celeste Andreson, 7B Ranch Steward, will lead this work along with other Conservancy staff. Please Contact Dorothy Boone, 520-547-3437, dboone@tnc.org to volunteer. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Able to work on a 35degree slope (sure-footedness)

This opportunity is sponsored by: The Nature Conservancy - AZ - Tucson

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Large Group (11+) Adults (55+) Small Group (2-10) Individual Young Adults (18-25) We need volunteers who are free at these times One-Time

Upcoming Dates:

Date Time # volunteers requested   Dec 05, 2009 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM 40

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Contact Person: Dorothy Boone, Volunteer Coordinator, (520) 547-3437, (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

1510 E Ft Lowell Tucson, AZ 85719 (See a map)

Directions:

The Nature Conservancy is located at the SW corner of N Cherry which is 1 block west of the intersection of Campbell and Ft Lowell.

Details where opportunity can also be performed

This opportunity can also be performed in these locations:

Zip codes:

85618