Newsletter of the Sky Island Alliance Vol. 6 Issue 2 Summer 2003 Quarterly Newsletter of the Sky Island Alliance Vol. 6 Issue 2 Summer 2003

Restoring grasslands with fire, southern Arizona Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 1 Many Thanks to Our Contributors! Walt Anderson, ecologist at Prescot College; Virginia and Gus Bodner; Todd Esque of USGS; Erica Geiger, UA grad Sky Island student; Andy Holycross, researcher at ASU; Sky Jacobs, Kathy Pitts, flora Alliance and fauna columnist; Kathy Schon and Protecting Don Swann of Saguaro National Park; Front cover photo by Dr. Guy McPherson of the UA School of Brian Segee of the Center for Biological Our Mountain Islands Renewable Natural Resources. Firefighters set a prescribed burn at Diversity; Sam Smith of the Animas & Desert Seas the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (ARR) near Elgin, AZ. ARR Foundation, Tom and Tomas Taylor, na- is a cooperative partnership among the National Audubon Society, tive fish enthusiasts with the Middle Gila 520/624-7080 • fax 520/791-7709 Conservation Partnership; and, of US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Appleton family, course, the SIA staff. Extra-special [email protected] www.skyislandalliance.org and the Research Ranch Foundation. For more information, visit thanks to artist extraordinaire Penny www.audubonresearchranch.org. Pederson! P.O. Box 41165 Tucson, AZ 85717 Back cover photo by Bob VanDeven Office: Historic YWCA 738 N. 5th Avenue, Suite 201 KY ISLAND ALLIANCE is a non-profit Fire! S membership organization dedicated to restoring and protecting the unique “Fires have been raging south and southeast of here [Tucson] during the past week. diversity of the Sky Islands of South- Millions of acres of excellent grass land have been burned over but thanks to the eastern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. abundance of our grazing lands we have plenty left. As soon as the rainy season sets

S T AFF in, which will be about the first of next month, the whole country will again be David Hodges covered with green grass.”–Weekly Citizen (Tucson), June 13, 1874. Executive Director [email protected] “A large fire is raging in the Santa Catalina Mountains. A party who has been at the Acasia Berry Administrative Assistant scene states that it has gone over an area of about ten miles square and that it is making [email protected] its way toward the valley on this side [Tucson].”–Arizona Daily Star, June 22, 1889. Trevor Hare Conservation Biologist [email protected] “... the grass over areas that were burned over this season is now knee high and Cory Jones GIS Specialist everything looks as fresh as spring time in this locality [Patagonia]...”–Arizona Daily [email protected] Star, September 2, 1880. Jennifer Katcher Webmaster [email protected] Rachel Kondor Table of Contents Ecosystem Defense and Policy Director Fire in the Sky Island Lifezones...... 8 [email protected] Rambling Rants from the Director’s Desk...... 3 Lisa Labita SIA Praises Clifton District...... 3 Wild News...... 10 Conservation Biology Intern [email protected] Policy and Law: Healthy Forests Initiative....4 Flora and Fauna: NM Ridge-nosed Rattlers...10 Janice Przybyl Wildlife Monitoring Program Border Patrol Puts Stranglehold on Desert....4 Road Rattlings...... 11 [email protected] Matt Skroch Notes from the Field: Roads and Wildfires.....5 SIA Welcomes Summer Legal Interns...... 12 Field Program Director [email protected] Sky Island Science: Alien Grasses Limit Recipes: Food from the Field...... 12 Legal Interns Legal Interns Restoration Options...... 6 Poetry...... 13 Lenny Alvarado Effects of Fire on Mexican Spotted Owls...... 6 Aaron Hall Effects of Fire on Mexican Spotted Owls...... 6 Book Notes: Stephen Pyne’s Smokechasing....14 Vanessa Gross Protected Area Profile: Saguaro N.P...... 7 Jennifer Wolfsong Little Rincon Mountains...... back cover Newsletter Editors Photo by Walt Anderson Gita Bodner, Dug Schoellkopf Board of Directors Seeking SIA newsletter submissions: Rod Mondt, President Randall Gray, Vice President Send us your poetry, your words of wisdom, your art! Nancy Zierenberg, Secretary As you’ve likely noticed, the quarterly Sky Island Alliance newsletter has expanded into a larger newspaper format. We Dale Turner, Treasurer want to keep it filled with inspirational, informative material, and we’d like your help! Do you write poetry? Draw, sketch, Gita Bodner paint, or photograph? Like to address regional conservation issues? Review books or websites? Anything that relates to the Curtis Bradley Sky Islands region is fair game! We’d also like to start a Letters to the Editor section. Send us a note! You can respond to Roseann Hanson Lainie Levick items in our recent newsletter, comment on your experiences as a volunteer or conference-goer, etc. Also, let us know if you’d Rurik List like to be a regular contributor, e.g. with a column each issue. The deadline for our next newsletter is August 9, 2003. Material Carlos Lopez Gonzalez submitted after that date may be saved for subsequent issues. Please email submissions to [email protected], Steve Marlatt or mail them to Sky Island Alliance attn: Newsletter, P.O. Box 41165, Tucson, AZ 85717. Resolution of digital images should Todd Schulke be at least 300 dpi if possible, but we can work with some lower resolution images. 2 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 Mach•i•a•vel•li•an going into roadless areas with no public 4. The WUI should be the focus of the Rincon and Chiricahua Mountains. On pri- Pronunciation: (mak”E-u-vel’E-un), adj. oversight, and allowing the timber industry limited resources available for mechanical vate lands, the Gray Ranch is setting a com- 1. being or acting in accordance with the to harvest the few remaining big fire-resis- thinning. pelling example of what is possible with vi- principles of government analyzed in tant trees that they’d been denied in the past. 5. People living in the WUI must take ac- sion and initiative. Machiavelli’s The Prince, in which politi- Callously calculating, the Bush administra- tion to fireproof their private property. Com- The biggest downside of HFI is the re- cal expediency is placed above morality tion and their cohorts in Congress have pensation programs like the Federal Emer- moval of the public from the process. Healthy and the use of craft and deceit to maintain shown a cynical disregard for public safety gency Management Agency should not be forests will not exist until everyone–scientists, the authority and carry out the policies of to satiate the greedy desires of campaign available to those who fail to do so. conservationists, private landowners, state a ruler is described. 2. characterized by contributors. 6. HFI would log the large fire-resistant and federal agency personal–on all sides, are subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, Unfortunately, no proposal put forth by trees to pay for thinning. This perverts the working together to create successful science- expediency, or dishonesty. the Bush administration will do anything to stated intention of having “healthy forests.” based strategies for restoration and protec- Over a period of several years in the mid- alleviate the problems in our forest in the The idea of cutting down big trees to raise tion. By implementing a process of exclusion, 1990s, I had the opportunity (or misfortune) long-term–just a mishmash of contradictory money to cut down small trees is the dumb- HFI intentionally creates conflict between of inspecting every proposed timber sale in and prohibitively expensive policies. A prime est idea I have heard in a long time–and there groups who should be working together. If the state of Arizona, south of the Grand Can- example of this is fire suppression. Every- would be no trees left. Congress must act not stopped, unhealthy forests and burned yon. This was a period in which these sales one involved in this debate agrees that the responsibly and appropriate enough money communities will be the legacy of Bush’s were first beginning to be challenged in the primary reason for the unhealthy condition to treat the WUI. reckless and dangerous Southwest. Due to poor planning, over-cut- of our forests is a result of more than 100 7. Additionally, logging on public lands is policies. ting, and the attendant cumulative effects on years of fire suppression (and exclusion). a money loser. It has only turned a profit in To learn more imperiled species, many of these ill-conceived Currently the policy of the Forest Service the past due to heavy taxpayer subsidies– about HFI and what projects were stopped. Shockingly, most throughout the West is to suppress all fires. another perversion of intention. you can do to help, were resurrected within months and re-re- We cannot begin devising solutions without 8. The public appeals process is vital for read “Seeing Through leased with little or no change as “Forest admitting to several undeniable facts: the proper management of our public lands. the Smokescreen” on Health Projects!” 1. Forests burn! Always have, always will. This provides leverage to compel the agen- page 4. This same Machiavellian approach to for- There is no management strategy that will cies to collaborate with the public rather than –David Hodges est policy is reflected in both the Bush prevent this eventuality. Every acre will burn shutting them out of the process. administration’s “Healthy Forest Initiative” at some point. How they burn is the chal- Thinning should be a tool that allows the (HFI) and the “Healthy Forests Restora- lenge we face. eventual return of fire to the landscape. Fire, tion Act of 2003,” (HFRA) recently passed 2. We will never cut ourselves out of this and lots of it, will be essential to restoring by the House of Representatives. These mess. The idea that we can correct past mis- our forests. I’m not talking about the puny policies are nothing more than a handout to takes through large scale mechanical thin- controlled burns that we mostly see but big the timber industry disguised by user- ning is foolish. fires that burn tens of thousands of acres. friendly names. These policies take advan- 3. The resources do not exist to cover even We need more prescribed fire like the tage of legitimate public concerns about a fraction of the cost of a project of this mag- Coronado NF’s 48,000-acre Baker Fire, safety in the Wildlands-Urban Interface nitude. Even if large-scale thinning worked burning in the Peloncillos right now. We (WUI) and use these concerns as an ex- we would have to go back in 10 to 15 years need more prescribed fire “programs” like cuse for suspending environmental laws, and do it all again! those of the National Park Service in the

Fire Safety Program Well Done; SIA Applauds Clifton District by Rachel Kondor, Ecosystem Defense and Policy Director ecently, much ado has been made about environmentalists stop- undergrowth, and downed woody debris three-tiered approach to reducing fire dan- ping thinning projects meant to reduce fire danger in National in oak and ponderosa pine forest. They ger around private homes and a camp- Forests. This contention, touted by the Bush administration and have been burning in and around this area ground: (1) thinning and removal of brush, R for several years, in order to try to estab- small trees, and other flammable materials its industry cronies, is designed to obfuscate the real issue: that Bush lish a normal burn cycle for the ponderosa on 125 acres in the immediate vicinity of sees our National Forests as nothing but a giant tree farm waiting to be pine forest, a forest type which should nor- homes and a campground; (2) thinning and liquidated, and deeply disdains any citizen input or opposition. mally burn at three to 10-year intervals in some prescribed burning in another 290 Environmental groups and citizens alike gets for removal. the Southwest. acres outside the initial work zone; and (3) have long supported efforts to thin forests, Prior to fire suppression, forests burned The Clifton District is proactively attempt- prescribed burning on 1,770 acres in a especially near communities, and reintro- at regular intervals. This cleared the forest ing to reduce the likelihood of a major fire larger upland grassy habitat. duce natural processes such as low-inten- of dense undergrowth, leaving the larger burning through the area and taking all the This is a sensible approach to addressing sity burning of undergrowth to reduce the trees intact. With fire suppression and log- vegetation and trees with it. This project is fire danger in the vicinity of homes and rec- risks of catastrophic fire. We strongly sup- ging over the last 100 years, small trees and meant to reintroduce the natural process of reation sites. By creating defensible space port projects that use thinning and pre- brush have built up in many areas. This low-intensity fire into an ecosystem. An im- around the areas where people work and scribed fire to make forests safer and restore has created a very unhealthy forest, and a portant benefit of a natural fire regime is the play, the project was clearly intended to habitat for wildlife. tinderbox for fire. The smaller trees and improvement of wildlife. address public safety. By preserving large We do not support the Bush dense undergrowth carry fire into the It also makes fiscal sense to clear by hand, trees, clearing out underbrush, and burn- Administration’s Healthy Forests Initiative, crowns of larger trees, which may result or burn flammable materials before a wild- ing in appropriate areas, the project also or Congress’ recently introduced Healthy in stand-replacing fires. fire goes through an area. The Clifton Dis- serves to restore habitat for wildlife. Forest Restoration Act because they are Prescribed low-intensity burning by trict estimated that on average, it costs We commend the Clifton District for its so clearly designed to facilitate the whole- qualified technicians is one method for get- $250,000 to $500,000 a day to suppress a efforts to design projects that promote hu- sale cutting of our remaining old-growth ting rid of the most flammable materials in wildfire, while a managed fire that is either man safety, while attempting at the same forests, and have nothing to do with the forest. Recently, we received notice from allowed to burn freely, or is prescribed costs time to restore habitat for wildlife. healthy forests or protecting communities. the Clifton District of the Apache-Sitgreaves $10 to $500 an acre, respectively. Comment letters or questions regarding We can make forests safer and simulta- NF of a proposal to burn 2,300 acres adja- The Clifton District also proposed the development of fire safety projects on the neously restore the natural balance to eco- cent to a Mexican spotted owl Protected projects to protect communities from a Clifton District can be directed to: Mr. Frank systems, but logging of large, old trees is Activity Center in order to restore habitat devastating fire. Several months ago, the Hayes, Clifton District Ranger, Apache- not the way to do it. Instead, small trees and reduce the danger of catastrophic fire. District proposed the Blackjack Hazard- Sitgreaves National Forest, HC1 Box 733 and other undergrowth should be the tar- The Clifton rangers will burn shrubs, ous Fuels Reduction project, which used a Duncan, AZ 85534; (928) 687-1614. Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 3 Seeing Through the Smokescreen of the “Healthy Forests Initiative” by Brian Segee, Southwest Public Lands Director, Center for Biological Diversity n the early 1970s, a group of disillusioned turkey hunters large fire-resistant trees intact. sued the US Forest Service (FS) to halt clearcut logging in Community Protection Iprime hunting areas within the National Forest. Earlier, when the hunters Instead of eliminating environmental laws expressed their objections to the FS chief, he dismissed the visit as a “very and citizen oversight of FS decisions, the self-centered protest from a very small segment of the population who wanted conservation community believes that pro- the national forest to be managed for their own personal pleasure.” tecting homes and keeping people safe must be a top priority of wildfire policy. FS re- Remarkably, the lawsuit was successful, a old-growth represents the tip of the iceberg searchers have concluded that making homes clear wake-up call to the FS that the Ameri- of public opposition to the FS’s timber pro- “firewise” and creating defensible space near

can public cherished their forests for more gram. Polls consistently show that three out photo by Sky Jacobs communities is the best way to achieve this than production of lumber. Increasingly, of four Americans oppose logging on public goal—one that can be realized within a rea- Americans appreciated the forests for other lands. Many of the nation’s leading forest re- sonable time frame. values: clean water and air, abundant wild- searchers and fire ecologists have expressed Advocating for fuel reduction treatments life, old-growth trees, quiet places. strong opposition to HFI. to be focused in the “community protection During this time, President Nixon signed A Legacy of Mismanagement zone” does not mean the rest of the forest is several laws providing for environmental left to burn. Restoration treatments focused protection and public involvement in FS de- In the midst of intense drought condi- Large trees that survived Rodeo-Chediski fire on prescribed burning and small-diameter cisions. Through these laws, citizens have tions throughout the West, record-setting within the boundaries of Rodeo-Chediski. If thinning must proceed in forests dependent been able to slow destructive clearcutting, fires burned in the states of Arizona, Or- logging prevented fires, the Sitgreaves Na- on frequent fires, such as ponderosa pine. preserve wildlife and endangered species, egon and Colorado in the summer of 2002. tional Forest should have been the safest However, with continuing drought and tight protect the quality of municipal water sup- Seizing upon the public’s fear and misun- place in Arizona. budgets, focusing on communities is a com- plies, and force the agency to serve interests derstanding of wildfires, the Bush admin- Western Forests Need Fire Western Forests Need Fire mon-sense approach. besides industry. istration quickly built support for HFI by Unfortunately, today’s Republican party claiming fires such as Rodeo-Chediski had Forest fires are a vital natural process, as has made it a top priority to dismantle these resulted from lack of management brought are fires in grasslands, chaparral and other HFRA Moves to the Senate laws. The Orwellian “Healthy Forests Res- about by environmental opposition to the ecosystems. Many forested ecosystems, toration Act of 2003,” (HFRA) passed by FS’s timber program. such as lodgepole pine and spruce-fir, natu- Passed by the House of Representatives In fact, on the Sitgreaves National For- rally experience and even thrive upon “cata- in mid-May, the Healthy Forests Restora- the House of Representatives in May, tion Act of 2003 will now be considered by est—where the Rodeo-Chediski wildfires strophic” crown fire events. would: abolish citizens’rights to appeal FS the Senate. As of press time, it is expected projects, allow the FS to conduct large- unleashed their fury after scorching 275,000 Nonetheless, some forests appear to be ex- that the Act will move through committee scale timber sales without considering en- acres of Apache land—logging was so ram- periencing unnaturally large and severe fires. in June and come before the full Senate af- vironmental impacts, and open the door to pant that in 1988 the Arizona Game and Fish While most fire ecologists believe that crown ter the July 4 recess. It is imperative that old-growth logging and road construction Department appealed the forest’s manage- fire was historically a rare occurrence in everyone who cares about public forests within roadless areas. ment plan. Noting that the Sitgreaves had Arizona’s ponderosa pine forests, approxi- contact their Senators now and urge them Similarly, under the banner of “Healthy “little remaining or existing old growth,” the mately one quarter of the National Forest to vote “No!” on this legislation. As Arizona Forests Initiative,” (HFI) the Bush adminis- Department opposed the planned “liquida- acreage within Rodeo-Chediski burned at Senator Jon Kyl and New Mexico Senator tion” of remnant vestiges of the once-mag- high severity. Pete Dominici have already strongly sup- tration is quietly working to finalize new ported this legislation, it is important for Ari- nificent ponderosa pine forest. However, recent crown fire events within agency rules gutting environmental require- zona and New Mexico residents to instead ments while limiting the rights of citizens to The Sitgreaves is the most intensively Southwestern ponderosa pine forests— contact Senator John McCain and Sena- participate in and object to FS decisions. logged and roaded landscape in the South- caused by nearly a century of widespread fire tor Jeff Bingaman, respectively, who have The rhetoric accompanying this effort west. It is the sole National Forest among suppression, preferential logging of large, not yet taken a stand. As it is still difficult to closely resembles the FS’s disregard of pub- 12 in Arizona and New Mexico with no des- fire-resistant trees and ubiquitous domestic send postal mail to DC and email is gener- lic outrage over its timber program 30 years ignated Wilderness. Of its 818,000 acres, livestock grazing combined with severe ally disregarded, it is most effective for you ago. Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, a leading cheer- little more than one percent is “roadless.” drought—are not the monolithic disasters to call your Senator. leader for environmental rollbacks, repeat- As one hiking guide states, “You can’t hike they are often reported to be. Arizona Senator John McCain, 241 more than a quarter mile on the Sitgreaves In the Rodeo-Chediski fire, approximately Russell Senate Office Bldg, US Senate, edly ridicules conservationists opposing de- Washington, DC 20510; (202) 224-2235. without hitting a road.” 135,000 acres of National Forest land burned structive timber sales as “radicals” and “ex- New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman, tremists,” who are outside the “mainstream.” While logging has abated, it has not in a mosaic pattern of fire severity, with large 703 Hart Senate Office Bldg, US Senate, Kyl is wrong. Like the litigation of the stopped. Since 1990, 10 timber sales target- areas experiencing light or moderate burns Washington, DC 20510; (800) 443-8658. 1970s, today’s opposition against logging of ing large trees were logged on the Sitgreaves which killed the understory while leaving Border Patrol’s Operation Desert Grip Puts Stranglehold on Wildlife by Vanessa Gross,SIA Legal Intern n its continued efforts to secure the US Mexico border, the Border These reports are released for public re- the affected species will adjust. Scientific Patrol has proposed a massive escalation of their presence in the view and comment. The one EIS and mul- support for these outlandish declarations Southern Arizona deserts. One piece of this plan is the expansion of tiple EAs covering escalation of the Bor- is all but nonexistent. I der Patrol’s presence share a common and Species known to occur near the pro- Operation Desert Grip. If passed, this proposal will enable the Border disquieting trait–a bold assertion that there posed camp details of the expansion of Patrol to establish three new bases of operation (two in the Coronado will be no significant environmental impact Operation Desert Grip are the Sonoran National Forest and one in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Area supported by a complete lack of environ- pronghorn, cactus ferruginous pygmy (CPNWA)); and expand two existing camps (one in CPNWA and the mental analysis. owl, desert pupfish, Chiricahua leopard other in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (OPCNM)). Combined The Sky Island Alliance submitted its frog, and lesser long-nosed bat. All are with the seven camp details on the Tohono O’odham Indian Nation, the comments on the environmental assess- endangered except for the Chiricahua ment for the expansion of Operation leopard frog, which is classified as a expansion of Operation Desert Grip will carve up the habitats of endan- Desert Grip this month. This EA consists threatened species. The Border Patrol gered and threatened species leaving our desert reeling from the Border of no more than unsubstantiated assertions acknowledges that its actions, combined Patrol’s impact. that the Border Patrol’s expanded presence with other human impacts on the region, Federal environmental law requires the environment and report their findings in will be temporary, will have no lasting en- would continue to have long-term cumu- Border Patrol to research the impact that environmental impact statements (EIS) vironmental impact, and that, in cases lative impacts on wildlife populations. their proposed sites would have on the and environmental assessments (EA). where there is an environmental impact, continued on next page 4 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 Roads and Wildfires: Complex Interactions by Matt Skroch, SIA Field Program Director ast year, more than 88,000 separate wildfires burned some seven and how fires burn. Numerous studies search shows that roads can increase fire million acres across the US. In 2000, almost eight-and-a-half mil- show that the majority of human-caused frequency and contribute to a variety of lion acres burned-the largest wildfire season in recent history. fires are ignited in close proximity to a road. factors that may elevate a fire’s intensity. L During the 1950s, for example, 74 percent Roadless Areas can provide numerous Today, the Western US nervously awaits the next big fire. Shocking foot- of all fires on national forests in California benefits to the ecology, economics, and age from Los Alamos, Hayman, Rodeo-Chedeski, and other famous wild- occurred within 10 feet of a road, accord- safety of fire. In 2001, the Forest Service fires have struck fear into those who live at the forest edge. While very ing to a 1968 report from the California issued a national policy that would pro- few understand the complexities of the factors that have caused these Division of Forestry. Nationally, between tect remaining roadless areas across 58 wildfires, many are quick to lay blame. Finger pointing and fault finding 1965 and 1975, 75 percent of fires were million acres of public land. Regarding traced to roadsides.1 Humans not only ig- fire, the agency reports in its September have replaced rational thought in this fiery debate. nite fires through carelessness (abandoned 2000 A Report to the President In Re- In the frenzy to contain and extinguish forever influence plant and animal commu- campfires, cigarette butts, matches, etc), sponse to the Wildfires of 2000 (see these infernos, thousands of miles of fire- nities, and wildlife behavior. but vehicles also cause a significant per- www.fireplan.gov/president.cfm) that breaks and access roads have been bull- Last year, the majority of wildfires in centage of fires via engine manifolds, ex- “Some critics have expressed concern that dozed into wildlands. Little talked about southern Arizona were caused not by light- haust pipes, and the Administration’s proposed roadless in the press, roads have large effects on ning, but by sparks. The ar- area policy could increase wildfire risks. how fires are ignited, spread, and extin- humans. Per- gument that The facts do not support this conclusion. guished. Fire-fighting authorities often ar- haps the most road access is To the contrary, all available evidence gue they need more road access to effec- famous was the necessary to ef- suggests that fire starts may be fewer in tively fight fires. When Sky Island Alliance lost driver, fectively fight unroaded than in previously roaded for- closed illegal non-system roads in the Valinda Jo fires is shaky. In ests. Fires are almost twice as likely to Chiricahua Mountains, for instance, Elliot, who be- photo by Sky Jacobs fact, evidence occur in roaded areas as they are in Coronado National Forest fire crews raised gan the shows that fires roadless areas.” Those fires that do occur concerns over their ability to suppress fires Chediski Fire in those areas in Roadless or Wilderness Areas often near the Wilderness Area with reduced that, combined without roads are show lower burn intensities and other road access. While this logic seems straight- with the Rodeo less threatening, more natural characteristics. The Boiler forward at first, we must take a broader Fire, burned less frequent, and Fire in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness (Gila look at the relationships between roads and 467,000 acres Small trees were scorched by the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. effectively sup- National Forest) is a perfect example. As wildfire. To do a cost-benefit analysis of in east-central pressed when we go to press, this fire is burning at a road densities and their relation to fire ig- Arizona. According to the National Inter- needed. The Forest Service reports that low intensity and is not being actively sup- nition and suppression, we need to ask agency Fire Center based out of Boise, “The current fire suppression organization pressed. This 50,000-acre, naturally ig- whether roads bring about more fire prob- Idaho, the 10-year average shows that [the Forest Service] has been effective in nited fire has smoldered for more than two lems to begin with. about 14 percent of wildfires today are suppressing at a small size approximately months. Because of the absence of roads, Historically, fire was a relatively common caused by lightning (slightly higher in 98 percent of wildland fire starts in inven- logging, and development within the area, element in many ecosystems across the Western states). While ignitions from some toried roadless areas. The agency also typi- the fire is doing what fires should do in West. During spring and summer thunder- Native American peoples contributed to cally prioritizes fighting roadless and wil- this habitat-burning at a low intensity and storms, lightning would randomly provide fires in historical times, today the sheer derness fires lower than fighting fires in thinning out the understory. ignition, and if conditions were conducive, volume of forest visitors plays a significant more accessible and populated areas.”2 As (1) Wilson, Carl C. Roadsides-Corridors with fires in varying degrees of intensity would role in when and how a fire burns. These we move away from the full fire suppres- high Fire Hazard and Risk. Journal of Forestry/ begin. Lightning-caused fires have occurred human-caused fires are often ignited in the sion mentality, we soon recognize that fires September 1979 pp. 576-577. on the Western landscape for as long as this spring season when fires rarely occurred within roadless areas tend to be less severe (2) Federal Register, Friday, January 12, 2001, Part VI, USDA Forest Service, 36 CFR land has existed. They are a natural com- historically due to absence of lightning. and less threatening than those fires within Part 294, Special Areas; Roadless ponent of the landscape’s ecology and will Roads contribute significantly to where roaded or developed areas. Current re- AreaConservation; Final Rule Operation Desert Grip continued

continued from previous page one) proposed camp detail is within or near the Coronado National Forest. All that the tific evidence to support this assertion. The Border Patrol claims that they do the critical habitat designated for the desert border Patrol mentions is that the The Border Patrol has produced a woe- not expect that these impacts will result pupfish. Yet, the Border Patrol never states Chiricahua leopard frog’s habitat includes fully inadequate assessment of the envi- in “significant reductions” to the popu- what effect (immediate and/or cumulative) a variety of water sources. There is no dis- ronmental consequences of the expansion lations. They do not acknowledge that pres- that its proposed camps will have on this cussion of habitat impact, nor any mention of Operation Desert Grip. This campaign ervation of the habitats of these species species and/or its habitat. of how the Border Patrol plans to mini- has potentially catastrophic ramifications is absolutely critical, nor do they admit Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl mize its impact on this species. for the Southern Arizona desert, and the that any reduction in their populations Lesser Long-Nosed Bat wildlife that inhabits it, as do other Bor- is extremely significant. Last November, the US Fish and Wildlife der Patrol projects. Sonoran Pronghorn Service proposed designating critical habi- The Border Patrol claims that the camps Operation Desert Grip is just one piece tat for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl in will not affect the lesser long-nosed bat, as of a larger plan to greatly expand Border There are 22 remaining Sonoran Pima and Pinal counties that would include there are no saguaro cacti (a food source) Patrol activities along the Arizona-Mexico pronghorn. The Border Patrol admits portions of the Organ Pipe Cactus National near the proposed sites. Some of the sites border. While the deadline for comments that the Sonoran pronghorn will be ad- Monument and Cabeza Prieta NWR. are near organ pipe cacti, which provide on Operation Desert Grip ended on June versely affected by their proposed actions. Though the EA mentions the establishment another food source for the lesser long- 11, the Border Patrol needs to hear from Such actions may lead to the extinction of a camp detail in Organ Pipe, it does not nosed bat. The EA fails to address this gap citizens on upcoming proposals. Contact of this species, despite efforts of a cap- discuss the effect this camp may have on the in its analysis. Additionally, these proposed Charles Parsons at the Border Patrol to tive-breeding program. How does the species, nor does it present any plans to miti- camps will generate light for 10-12 hours request to be placed on their mailing list Border Patrol propose to mitigate the gate the effects on this species’ habitat. per night. The Border Patrol claims that for future environmental impact studies inevitable damage (immediate and cumu- Chiricahua Leopard Frog the additional light may disrupt the circa- and assessments. lative) to this species’ habitat? dian rhythms of some animals, but that Charles Parsons, US Department of Home- Desert Pupfish The Border Patrol admits that the these creatures will adjust in time or relo- land Security, Western Region Environmental Chiricahua leopard frog is known to oc- cate rendering the impact of the lighting Officer, P.O. Box 30080, Laguna Niguel, CA The Border Patrol states that (at least cur near the two proposed camp details in as insignificant. Again, there is no scien- 92607-0080; (949) 425-7081. Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 5 Research on Fire The Sky Island region hosts some of the world’s most Chiricahua, Pinaleno, Peloncillo, Sierra San Luis, Si- Whitell Research Ranch, Buenos Aires National active fire research programs. The Laboratory for Tree erra de los Ajos, and Mogollon mountains, plus many Wildlife Refuge, Fort Huachuca, National Park Ser- Ring Research at the University of Arizona is one of areas outside the Sky Island region. vice, US Forest Service, and research groups within the global centers of research on all aspects of fire his- Several other groups are investigating ecological ef- the University of Arizona’s Renewable Natural Re- tory. By studying patterns of burns and regrowth in fects of fires, with an eye toward both understanding sources, Wildlife and Fisheries, and Geography and tree sections, these researchers have compiled fire his- how different types of fire effect the landscape and to Regional Development departments. Here are a tories dating back several hundred years, for the improving use of fire for management. These groups couple of examples of up-to-the-moment insight into Huachuca, Rincon, Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Animas, include the Animas Foundation, Audubon Appleton- fire in our region. Alien Grasses May Constrain Restoration Options by Erica Geiger, University of Arizona Dept. of Renewable Natural Resources Prior to Anglo settlement, a rich assem- year starting in fall of 1999 and fires (increase following spring fire, decrease blage of native grasses formed a soft mosaic set prescribed fires in 2001 and following summer fire), but these differences of color and texture skirting the sky islands 2002. Results from our study will faded within one year. A decrease in total of Arizona, between the drier scrublands of help land managers determine plant biomass was maintained for two fall sea- the lower deserts and the cooler forest crown- which fire treatment is most ap- sons following fire, but this response varied ing the mountains. Today many of these propriate to restore the rich di- by treatment and year. grassland communities are dominated by versity of native species. Our study provides one more piece in the woody species and/or nonnative grasses. Eragrostis lehmanniana emerging grasslands restoration puzzle. The Since the late 1800’s, overgrazing by livestock photo by Sam Smith (Lehmann’s Lovegrass), a peren- interaction between fire, nonnative grasses, has altered plant communities tremendously. nial grass from southern Africa, native plants, and climate is complicated and Reduction of fine fuels limited the frequency now occurs in many southwest- monitoring is required for several years to and size of lightning-caused fires. Lowered ern grasslands, where it is the detect long-term effects on plant communi- fire frequency, compounded by reduced main invasive grass implicated in ties. Because of variability of responses across competition with palatable grasses, has the decline of native organisms. years, continued experimental research is enabled woody vegetation to dominate grass- Blackened grasses of a prescribed burn, Animas Mountains In our studies on the Fort needed before we understand how to best lands. Starting in the 1920’s, nonnative of nonnative grasses following fire. Studies Huachuca Military Reservation, avoid proliferating non-native grasses as a grasses were introduced to colonize soils are now underway in the Sky Island region plant species richness in these grasslands was side effect of grassland fire restoration. We denuded by livestock. to determine the most effective methods for consistently lower in areas dominated by E. urge caution in applying grassland fires on a In an effort to restore native semi-desert using fire to reduce woody vegetation and lehmanniana (i.e., there was a negative cor- large scale until these interactions are better grasslands in Arizona, land managers have encourage growth of native grasses without relation between plant diversity and percent understood. In the meanwhile, when man- reintroduced fire in hopes of reducing abun- spreading non-native plants in the process. of total biomass composed of E. agers want to apply prescribed fires, we rec- dance of shrubs and nonnatives. However, Our research group at the University of lehmanniana). This relationship held true re- ommend using a fire regime that is consis- fires often are implemented into vastly altered Arizona is using a large-scale experiment in gardless of year, season, community type, or tent with the pre-settlement regime. Thus, systems, at times and scales contrary to his- the semi-desert grasslands of southeastern fire treatment. However, plant species rich- we suggest applying fires every 5 to 15 years toric fire regimes. Even when successful at Arizona to quantify changes in plant com- ness appeared to be influenced more by year- during early summer, coincident with the reducing shrub encroachment, disturbances munity structure following fire treatments to-year variability than by fire treatment, arrival of the Arizona monsoon. This appears such as fire can serve as segues for invasion (spring, summer, no fire) across a gradient which makes treatment effects more difficult to closely match the disturbance regime with by nonnative species. Indeed, several scien- of dominance by this nonnative grass. We to generalize. There was a slight change in which native species evolved. tific studies have shown increased abundance collected data in the fall and spring of each the proportion of E. lehmanniana following Monitoring Fire Effects on Mexican Spotted Owls by Kathy Schon, fire ecologist at Saguaro National Park able for small mammals but less flammable trends through multiple burn cycles, increas- anagers are often faced with conflicting issues concerning fire. than smaller fuels. The second graph shows ing understanding of these systems and fires One such dilemma involves Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) a measure of the number and size of dead effect on sensitive species. Results of moni- habitat. On one hand, managers need to apply fire to reduce standing trees, or snags. Snags are valuable toring can allow managers to implement pre- M roost and foraging trees as well as being cor- scribed fire programs and refine prescriptions the risk of lethal wildfire to the entire ecosystem. On the other the Mexi- can spotted owl recovery plan poses numerous restrictions on treatments. related with other important aspects of stand while adhering to the recommendations of structure. the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mexican These restrictions are designed to protect aspects of forest structure that These preliminary results indicate that Spotted Owl recovery plan. are important to the owls, e.g. allowing fuels to be reduced overall while there are fire prescriptions that, in the long- leaving larger-diameter downed wood that provides habitat for the owls’ term, improve or maintain key habitat com- mammal prey. To evaluate how well particular treatment prescriptions ponents for the Mexican spotted owl. Addi- work, and to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act, manag- tionally, the two plots placed in the untreated core area point toward higher risk and vul- ers need to monitor the effects of fire in these habitats. nerability from wildfire in some of the most To evaluate the effects of our fire treat- ther June or October over a six-year period. important habitat essential for the survival ments, we installed 50x20 meter vegetation The plots represent two vegetation types as- of the Mexican spotted owl. This data has and fuel monitoring plots in four prescribed sociated with Mexican spotted owls, pine- been fundamental in the Park’s ability to burn fire units. These plots include several moni- oak and ponderosa pine forests. in Mexican spotted owl habitat. The ability toring variables included within the recov- Presented here are data from the post burn to display scientifically valid data from our ery plan for Mexican spotted owl critical analysis for two of the critical habitat com- prescribed burn program to the United habitat components (forest conditions that ponents recommended in the Mexican spot- States Fish and Wildlife Service on the owl’s are considered critical the species’ survival). ted owl recovery plan. Changes are shown critical habitat parameters has helped build Plots were located within Mexican spotted from pre-burn through five years post-burn. Change in 1000hr (>3in diameter) fuel load trust and understanding for both parties. The (top), and snag basal area (bottom) following owl foraging areas, protected activity centers, The top graph shows changes in the amount Park will continue to monitor these plots prescribed burns in ponderosa pine forests in and core nesting areas. Except for two plots of downed-wood more than three inches in through the next set of prescribed burns and the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National in the core area, all plots were burned in ei- diameter, a size considered especially valu- beyond. This will allow managers to follow Park. Data from 1993-2001. 6 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 Saguaro National Park: Crown Jewel by Don Swann, Biologist at Saguaro National Park aguaro National Park contains some of the most alluring and best backcountry camping in the Rincon native plants, especially bufflegrass and preserved natural lands in the Sky Island region. Although a few Mountain District. fountain grass, has allowed the park to ride of the park’s front country trails are well-travelled by Tucson resi- A major part of the overall Park Service herd on these troublesome invaders of the S mission is to preserve resources so they will Sonoran Desert. One of the most extensive dents and visitors from all over the world, the park’s wilderness areas are be left unimpaired for the enjoyment of fu- and comprehensive monitoring programs incredibly quiet and undisturbed. ture generations. To learn how best to do this, includes monitoring the effects of fire on If you hike up to one of the Rincon Moun- Desert and Sky Island region. the park works closely with researchers from vegetation and fuels. This program provides tains’ high-elevation campsites, more likely The mission of Saguaro National Park a number of universities, other agencies, and better understanding of the role of fire in than not you’ll have the breezy pines, stars, is to preserve, protect, and interpret the non-profits–the Sky Island Alliance among the Rincon Mountains and allows manag- and calling owls all to yourself. The park’s them–to survey saguaros, ers to evaluate their prescriptions to be sure wilderness is roadless. Off-road vehicles, monitor and research fire ef- ecological objectives are met. grazing, and wood-cutting are not allowed, fects, exotic plants, wildlife, cul- The Rincon Mountain District contains a and the result is a lot of room for hiking and tural sites, surface water, air great diversity of mammals due to extensive truly quiet solitude. Sitting up on Helen’s quality, and a number of other wilderness area, large elevational range (ap- Dome or Rincon Peak at the end of a hard resources. proximately 2,700 to 8,600 feet), and loca- day’s hike it’s hard to believe you are only The research and monitor- tion within or near the boundary of several about 25 miles from downtown Tucson. ing has paid off in many ways. important biogeographic provinces, includ- In all, Saguaro contains more than photo courtesy Saguaro NP For example, years of saguaro ing the Sonoran Desert, the Chihuahuan 91,300 acres (more than 140 square miles) monitoring has led to a com- Desert, the Sierra Madre Occidental in in two districts on either side of Tucson. prehensive understanding of Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains. The dis- The Tucson Mountain District, west of this long-lived species and trict is home not only to desert species such Tucson, is largely rugged desert punctu- documented the rebound of as coyotes and antelope jackrabbits, but also ated by red rocks, cacti, and ironwoods. the Rincon population after high-elevation species such as black bear and In contrast, the Rincon Mountain District, many decades of poor recruit- white-tailed deer. In addition, the Rincons east of town, blends cactus forest with pine ment, probably due to wood- contain species considered more tropical in forest–the Visitor Center sits at about 3,000 cutting and over-grazing. Sur- origin, including the white-nosed coati and feet, but Mica Mountain peaks out at more veys using infrared-triggered collared peccary. than 8,600 feet. Sonoran Desert’s biotic communities, cul- cameras are mapping the presence of sel- With a good hat and plenty of water, The result is a rich diversity of life–more tural features, and scientific and wilder- dom-seen wildlife, including mountain lions, Saguaro is a great place to visit–southern than 1,000 native plants, and abundant wild- ness values. The park offers trails, inter- coati, and kit fox. And an ambitious pro- Arizona’s surprising treasure. The Park’s life that reflect the richness of the Sonoran pretive programs, two visitor centers, and gram of monitoring and eradication of non- website is www.nps.gov/sagu/. Saguaro N.P. a National Leader in Proactive Fire Management

he past 150 years have seen radical shifts in behaviors of fire, objectives, e.g. killing shrubby vegetation in ral ignitions as opposed to suppression of grassland restoration burns. Furthermore, unnatural, human-caused, fire events. And including fire frequency and intensity, fuel buildups, and spread until we know more about how plants and because most of the park is without devel- Ting rates. Attitudes toward fire have changed just as much, from animals deal with fires outside their natural oped structures, more of the naturally occur- early settlers’ debates about the relative harm vs. benefit of fires over which season, the safest route is to mimic natural ring fires can be left to burn because they do they had no control, through the Smokey Bear era of total fire suppression, disturbance regimes as much as possible. By not threaten human habitations. to the more recent recognition of fire as a natural and inevitable part of comparing effects of burns in different sea- Since 1970, fires have blazed through some sons, SNP’s monitoring program helps fire 13,000 acres of the park, with most of these western ecosystems. Managers of public lands continue to navigate the shift- managers everywhere make informed deci- acres burning within what is considered to ing tides of management philosophies, public opinion, and agency funding. sions based on these burn-season tradeoffs. be natural bounds of intensity for the habi- In recent decades, Saguaro National agers to coordinate fires on both sides of ju- SNP’s large roadless acreage profoundly tats in which they occurred. In 1994, the Park (SNP) has become a national leader risdictional lines that are invisible to the area’s affects the nature of fires and fire manage- lightning-struck Rincon Fire grew increas- in proactively managing fire on public flora and fauna. ment in the park. SNP has some 71,000 acres ingly powerful, blazing up into the forest lands. While the park’s lowest elevation 1993 brought the establishment of a com- canopy with lethal intensity. But when this Sonoran Desert areas are not naturally prehensive, science-based Fire Effects Moni- fire hit stands that had been intentionally prone to fires (see pages 9 and 13), most toring Program, to study the effects of fire “When I retire, I’m going burned in previous years, the fire dropped of the park’s acreage is in habitats that de- and enable managers to adapt the fire plan to feel really good about back down to the understory, behaving ex- pend on fires to maintain their natural based on its successes and failures. The moni- actly like a healthy pine fire should. Manag- biodiversity and forest structure. In these toring program at SNP is now one of the our successes...” ers hope that as burns are brought back into upper elevations, SNP has worked tire- most valuable parts of the fire program, pro- –Chuck Scott, SNP all needy parts of the park, natural stand dy- lessly to restore natural fire regimes. viding critical information to SNP and to namics will re-establish themselves through- SNP’s shift away from total fire suppres- other fire managers (see Mexican spotted owl out the mountain range, and fire can once sion began in the early 1970s, well ahead of article, page 6). of federally designated wilderness. Over the again be left to the Forces of Nature. most land management agencies. In this day, One of the main dilemmas faced in plan- last 50 years, lightning has ignited an aver- Hiking in the high country of the Rincons suppression decisions were simple–when the ning prescribed fires at SNP and elsewhere age of nine fires each year. Less than 5 per- is a profound experience. No amount of men- gauge at Manning Camp had registered at is when to burn. Burning “in season” (late cent of fires in the Park were human-caused tal knowledge that ponderosa forests need least two inches of rain, a lightning-caused summer, when most lightning-strike fires and, of this 5 percent, most were outside the fire will prepare you for how it feels to wan- backcountry fire could be allowed to burn. begin) is generally preferred, because flora designated wilderness. Managing fire in der through towering old trees with new But this alone was not enough to correct al- and fauna are thought to be adapted to this Saguaro’s roadless wilderness areas comes burn scars, watching broad-winged gos- most a century of fire suppression. In 1991, natural burn season. But emergency suppres- with its own set of challenges, most notably hawks lead their fledgling young through the SNP finished a joint fire plan with the sion of unplanned wildfires often siphons off financial limitations. Logistics of getting per- high branches. Chuck Scott, fire manage- Coronado National Forest (which surrounds personnel and other resources at this critical sonnel and equipment into roadless areas ment officer at SNP, is rightly proud of the the park on three sides). This plan added a time. “Out of season” burns face less compe- raise the price tag of running prescribed program he shepherds. “When I retire,” says component of intentionally set prescribed tition for resources, and fall burns may be burns. However, due to this scarcity of hu- Scott, “I’m going to feel really good about burns, addressed in more detail the needs of less prone to escalating beyond their intended man-caused fires, managers can focus their our successes, about being able to do some- particular parts of the park, and allowed man- scope, but may be less effective at meeting efforts on prescribed fire and managing natu- thing good for the resource.” Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 7 Spruce-fir forest: Typical of the Canadian North, this habitat type occurs Fires come to spruce-fir forests rarely, just once every 200-500 years, but wh burn to the ground. New seedlings then rise from the ashes to replace their surface fires, the type of prescribed burning designed to protect other fores this habitat type. Though stand-replacement fires are natural for this forest type, other facto pressions of the natural dynamic. The Mt. Graham red squirrel, for examp tion. But introduced competitors and habitat destruction have brought th worry that a major fire in their prime habitat might finish them off. Teles the fire-prone nature of their surroundings, and managers fear that these Mixed-conifer forest: True to its name, mixed-conifer forest is am area’s particular mix of Douglas-fir, white pine, white fir, quaking aspen, burns every nine to 15 years, with mostly low intensity ground fires like t forests are prone to flaring up in some areas, creating stand-replacing cro these stand-replacement patches were in the past, all agree that they are a without these charred openings in the conifer forests, we would have to colors on our high slopes. Mixed conifer forests occur on several of ou are similar to those listed below for pine forests, though because they able to large-scale disturbance than their contiguous counterparts o Ponderosa pine forest: Ponderosa pine forests are the classi every two to ten years. These fires were carried by the abundant un changed fire patterns in these forests even before the era of active fi like the Sierra de los Ajos, which have never been heavily grazed in t component of the fire regime of ponderosa pine forests, though less of tives of the ponderosa, the Chihuahua pine and Apache pine, that are s the Southwest, the forests made famous by the giant fires of the last decad so pleasant to live in, and so extremely fire dependent.

Madrean evergreen woodland: This zone includes an unrivaled dive Madrean woodlands have a mix of pines and several species of evergreen oak treat into canyons as you go down in elevation. Junipers and other chap open grassland, and the zone is often referred to as oak savanna. In Sky Islands, though it continues in some form throughout the Si those of grasslands and pine forests, but are still poorly under the diversity of stand structures that characterize these fore evidence from the Huachuca and Animas mountains sugg prone to stand- replacement burns. The observatio t o this hypothesis. Man- rounding stand- in the Sky Islands only on the summit of Mount Graham. hen they do they come as conflagrations, and forest stands r ancestors. Because these forests do not typically carry sts from conflagrations have no ecological justification in Fire on the mountain Lands of the Sky Island region rise from some 2,000 feet to almost 11,000 feet elevation (700 to 3700 ors have made some dependent animals vulnerable to ex- meters), from saguaro-clad Sonoran desert to cool spruce-fir forests Each of the habitat types has ple, has survived many rounds of fiery forest regenera- its own natural fire dynamics, and its own contemporary challenges. Fre dynamics in all these zones hese animals to the brink of extinction, and managers now are, of course, more complex that can be presented here. Each zone, for example, is affected by fire copes atop Mt. Graham were planned without regard to buildings are also vulnerable to natural conflagrations. behavior in nearby zones. Habitat types blend into one another where they meet. North-facing slopes experience different conditions from south-facing slopes. Each mountain range has its own ong our most variable habitat types depending on an history, and its own geography. Species composition varies among ranges, especially as you head , and other high-elevation trees. Mixed conifer normally north or south. Riparian corridors run from the tops of the mountains through the bottoms of the those typical of the pine forests below. Fires in these valleys, influenced by each zone but carrying their own wetter dynamics along with them. wn fires. While there is much debate over how large Our Madrean Sky Islands are unique in how tightly packed these layers of habitats are, how in a a natural component of this zone’s fire regime. In fact, day’s walk, one can experience all of these distinct zones and the gradations between them. Recog- do without the quaking aspen stands that splash fall nizing the unique fire dynamics of each, and the problems related to them, helps us both appreciate ur taller mountain ranges. Management concerns here and manage these rising mountains, from flank to peak. y are restricted to mountain tops, these are more vulner- outside the sky islands. c example of communities dependent on low-intensity ground fires, which traditionally came through each forest nderstory grasses, killing many small trees but leaving large ones unharmed. Tree ring data shows that grazing ire suppression—around 1880 in the U.S. Sky Islands, later in some of the more remote Mexican ranges. Ranges the upper elevations, still show fairly natural fire regimes. Occasional stand-replacement burns are also a natural ften and probably in smaller patches than in mixed conifer stands. The Madrean Sky Islands also harbor two rela- imilar in appearance to their widespread cousins. These are the forests involved in most of the debates about fire in de. Most wildland-urban interface fire problems are in Ponderosa forests, because these forests are so widespread, ersity of plant assemblages and forest structures. The upper reaches of Semidesert grassland: Open grasslands once ex- ks, and are often called Mexican pine-oak woodland. Pines drop out or re- tended across the flanks of most Sky Island ranges, and Low Sonoran desert: Under parral plants enter the mix. By the lower reaches, trees are separated by filled the valleys too high or too lush to carry low desert the United States, this rich eclectic mix is found only in the borderland habitats. Fires historically blazed through these grass- natural conditions, cactus-dominated ierra Madre. Natural fire dynamics are thought to be generally similar to lands every five to ten years, maintaining their open low desert has been called an “asbes- tos community.” It simply does not rstood compared with other zones discussed here. Ecologists believe that structure. Intensive grazing, fire suppression, and soil burn. Competition for water leaves ests result, in part, from high variability in fire patterns. Recent tree-ring erosion have eliminated or degraded most of our re- gest that stands dominated by Chihuahua pines may naturally be more maining grasslands. Two major degradations are inva- plants spaced far enough apart that fire cannot easily spread between on that these trees can sprout back from charred stumps adds support sion by alien grasses, and encroachment of shrubby flammable patches. As a result of agement concerns are similar to those of the sur- plants like mesquites, junipers, and creosote bush. As a zones, but are complicated by poorer under- result, grassland-dependent species like Aplomado fal- their long history without fire, many ing of natural fire dynamics. Sonoran Desert plants are not cons, masked bobwhite quail, and pronghorn antelope adapted to burns. Saguaro cacti, Eat- are in decline. In areas that still have topsoil, prescribed fire can be desert tortoises, and other species are liable to be boiled alive by even very effective at reducing shrub encroachment and reju- low ground fires. venatinging grasses. Ongoing research in the Sky Is- lands is beginning to teach us how The spread of invasive, drought-tol- erant alien grasses like red brome to burn without giving and buffelgrass is a serious threat to alien grass species new opportunities this habitat type. These highly flam- mable grasses create an incendiary to invade na- carpet that allows flames to rip tive grass stands. across the desert. The best cure here is preventing these alien invaders from estab- lishing, and rooting them out when they do. New Field Volunteers Complete Wildlife Monitoring Training by Janice Pryzbyl, SIA Wildlife Monitoring Program Coordinator ourteen new volunteers successfully completed their training and Conservation Area south of I-10. Three weeklong annual “Procession of the Species.” will soon be out in the field monitoring their adopted transects. other volunteers will be taking over Mike The young audience of boys and girls ages Iorio and Alyssa Sheil’s transect in the Dra- six through 12 viewed slides of the different FCongratulations and welcome to: Laurel Clarke, Lisa Collis, Dana goon project where we are investigating the types of wildlife sign: tracks, scrapes, and Hook, Keith Hughes, Albert Lannon, Beth Long, Kaitlin Meadows, Serena movement of wildlife between the Dragoon scat–the last eliciting a loud round of “ew- Pickens, John Rawlins, Iris Rodden, Leslie Sellgren, Michael Terrio, Sara Mountains and the San Pedro River. Mike yuks.” We then played an animal-track Venturini, and Jennifer Wolfsong. Once again it was a pleasure being in the and Alyssa recently graduated from the matching game. The real fun began when I classroom and in the field with adults so eager to learn and so enthusiastic UofA and headed to the west coast for used rubber paw molds to create tracks in graduate school. Both Mike and Alyssa pans of soil and demonstrated how to make about contributing their talents and sweat to a conservation project. One of trained with the first group of volunteers track tracings using Plexiglas and markers. the things they did learn is that tracking is not as easy as they first thought! way back in the spring of 2001 and volun- Each child–and there were 30 boys and girls– After one day in the classroom and two days in the field, I asked workshop teered on transects since then. Thanks had the chance to do his or her own tracing participants to jot down their thoughts. Here are some of their quotes: Mike and Alyssa for all your efforts and of a bobcat, mountain lion, black bear or wolf we wish you well in your new adventures. track. The kids had fun and produced some “The actual view- knowledge, that Besides engaging adults, one day last April remarkable “documentation” which they got ing of real tracks they can learn a I had a blast introducing a group of young- to take home. Thanks to Lauren Roberts in brought the class lot about the sters to tracking during an after school pro- Bisbee for organizing all the “Procession” work alive and animals that gram at the Bisbee Boys and Girls Club. The events and for inviting Sky Island Alliance helped me see how to photo by Matt Skroch lurk about.” two-hours event was part of Bisbee’s to participate. do this–the more you “I learned see, the more you that normally see–so my identifica- when I walk tion skills, while still through a natu- Crew Working young, improved ral area I am

from one field day to completely by Janice Przybyl photo by Janice Pryzbyl the next.” Kaitlin Meadows, Albert Lannon, and Michael oblivious to all Terrio identify tracks in the Empire-Cienega NCA. Our remote camera project highway “I can now recog- the amazing project is off and running. Sky Island nize some of the tracks seen. Also and most things that are going on or have gone on Alliance’ Wildlife Monitoring Program importantly, I now pay attention to what I in the recent past. I also learned that I need is partnering with Tucson’s Natural could see.” to slow down and take life minute by Resource Section of Arizona Department “The most significant thing I learned is how minute and footstep by footstep.” of Transportation to investigate wildlife important our participation as individuals With the completion of their training, passage under two major highways in Eric and Siobhan examine camera housing. contributes to the health of our ecology. It is volunteers formed teams and adopted southeast Arizona. We earmarked 12 up to us to educate others on how everything transects in two of our three project areas. culverts and bridges for camera installa- source intern, worked diligently since last fits together to form one healthy ecosystem. We expanded and strengthened the tion and for two days in April, I hung out fall to design and construct a formidable Our efforts to study, document and vie for Cienega Corridor project with the addition with the Tucson crew under SR 90 setting (and indestructible, we hope) steel and protection of a single species or group make of three transects. The Cienega Corridor up and field-testing the first four cameras. Plexiglas housing to protect the cameras. a difference for us all.” links the Rincon Mountains to the Santa The information gathered from these The units were mounted to culvert and “To be a good tracker requires a sort of Rita, Empire, and Whetstone Mountains cameras will supplement two of our Wild- bridge walls. “zen head” where observation, practice, and to the south We now have two years worth life Monitoring Projects: the Santa Cruz Thanks go not only to Siobhan, but also awareness combine with knowledge of ani- of data from four transects just north of I- River Valley project and the Dragoon to Chuck Barclay, Paul Langdale, Eric mal behavior.” 10 in washes that drain into Cienega Creek. Whetstone project. Hardt, and Ray Garcia, for lugging the “I learned that if one makes the effort to Starting in June, teams will be looking for Siobhan Nordhaugen, Natural Re- generator and manning the drills. gain some knowledge about tracking, and the tracks of our focal species along the is patient and open-minded in applying that newly established transects in the National

New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake Faces Tenuous Future by Kathy Pitts, Special to Restoring Connections ost of us would rather not run into a rattlesnake on the trail. C. w. obscurus is related to the Arizona disperse quickly from their natal home. ridge-nosed rattlesnake, C .w .willardi. Like Still, what terrifies some of us fascinates others, and there Newborns may use their yellow-tipped tail the Arizona, the New Mexican ridge-nosed to lure prey, which includes centipedes and Mare people whose lives re-volve around collecting or owning has a distinctive ridge edging its upper small lizards. As they grow older they will snakes. For them, the rarer the specimen, the better. But, as you might snout, somewhat in the manner of a rimmed add a rattle each time they shed, and their imagine, collecting rare snakes makes them scarcer, creating a down- saucer. The Arizona, however, is more diet will shift to larger lizards, small rodents ward spiral toward extinction. Such may have been the case with the reddish-brown and has well-defined white and the occasional bird, which they ambush facial stripes. New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake. by hiding among rocks, in forest litter, In the wild, the New Mexico ridge-nosed along mouse runways, or up in trees. The gray to grayish-brown coloring of after its “discovery” in the 1960s. gives birth to two to nine young about every Like all pit vipers, the New Mexico ridge- Crotalus willardi obscurus is well suited Only 18 to 24 inches long when fully other year. This is a small brood compared nosed uses a heat-sensing organ in its snout to the decaying leaf litter of its pine-oak grown, this obscure object of desire to larger rattlesnakes, and magnifies the to locate prey and detects fine chemical canyon home. In fact, concealment is the occupies an equally modest territory— impact of collection on their vulnerability. odors with its flicked tongue. Venom im- snake’s chief strategy in both hunting and disconnected islands of habitat in the Mating takes place midsummer to fall, mobilizes the catch and begins to predigest escaping predation. But camouflage was not Animas and Peloncillo Mountains of south- and females store male sperm until early its tissue. enough to protect it from enthusiastic ern Arizona and New Mexico and the spring when they ovulate. Baby rattlers are Collection of the New Mexico ridge- collectors who flocked to the Sky Islands Sierra San Luis in northern Mexico. born live during the monsoon rains and continued on next page 10 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 Road Rattlings Fire and Exotic Grasses by Trevor Hare, SIA Conservation Biologist by Trevor Hare gain? I ask incredulously! It’s time for another Road Rattlings? Man, I ain’t done nuttin’ lately! At least not that has Fire, fire, fire! To me fire means red brome forming continuous carpets warmth during those wild winters, and of fuel in areas such as Saguaro National Aanything to do with walking roads. Seems I’ve been a nothing but a death and destruction for saguaros and Park and many areas surrounding Phoe- desk jockey since the last newsletter. I’ve only been out a couple of times to desert tortoises during the summer. For nix. Red brome grows in response to look for frogs and fish! But since part of the title includes “Rattlings,” I am those who work or play in montane or winter rains, and by the time the sum- glad to tell you that I have seen at least 10 rattlesnakes in the very few days grassland settings, fire structures eco- mer monsoons roll in it is dry as a bone I have been out. Now don’t start worrying, I had to actively search these systems; for us desert-rats, fire destroys and ready to ignite. ecosystems. While Because most snakes out, not one rattled at me, nor did any act aggressive toward me. Just montane and desert ecosys- good clean fun! grassland ecosys- photo by T. Esque, USGS tems evolved in Back to roads. As I mentioned in the last pieces of Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness left tems evolved with the absence of newsletter we are getting toward the end of to survey that I will have to backpack into, frequent low-in- fire, the common our BLM road surveys, and we will have poor me! tensity fire, desert plants, such as some new and exciting opportunities in the We will also have visited the Burro Moun- ecosystems have palo verde future. But I want to tell all my road war- tains near Silver City, New Mexico, on Me- evolved largely in (Cercidium spp.), riors we will continue to walk roads! Re-in- morial Day weekend for a roads survey in the absence of fire. cholla and ventories will be necessary in many parts of conjunction with the New Mexico Wilder- It is only recently prickly pear cacti Tortoise killed by fire, south side of Catalinas the Coronado, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Gila ness Alliance and the Upper Gila Watershed that fire has be- (Opuntia spp.), National Forests. As you all are aware, it only Alliance. The Burros are a small, forested Sky come an issue of concern for desert and saguaros (Carnegia gigantea), are takes one yahoo to re-open a closed road or Island sitting between Silver City and ecologists. The main culprit is non-na- easily killed causing lasting changes to to blaze a new one. We have seen it all too Lordsburg. The Mangas Valley separates the tive plant species that change the struc- desert communities. Small terrestrial often, the blood boils and fists are clenched Burros from the Gila Wilderness on the ture of the vegetation communities in animals are also killed in extraordinary wishing that you had been there to stop it! north, and the Lordsburg Playa separates the desert ecosystems. numbers during fires. In the 1994 While being in the right place at the right Burros from the Peloncillos to the west and Red brome (Bromus madritensis), Mothers Day fire in Saguaro National time to stop it doesn’t happen often, in the the Animas Valley on the South. buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), and Park, 11 percent of the tortoises long run we can and we must stop it. We In June we will visit the Campbell Blue/ Mediterranean grass (Schismus spp.) sampled were killed and 20 percent of must document, advocate, and restore! Black River area to resurvey some of the first provide the fine fuels needed for desert the saguaro cacti sampled died within So, back to roads. By the time you read roads we ever walked. The area is absolutely wildfires to spread. Historically, fire was five years. For such long-lived species, this we will have finished the easy part of gorgeous with ancient ponderosa forests, very infrequent because there was never the loss of 11 or 20 percent of a popu- Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness (16-18 May). goshawks, aspen groves and free-flowing a continuous carpet of fine fuels. Native lation can have long-lasting detrimen- We will have camped next to the creek at the streams. We will camp at 9,200 feet and will grasses grew in patches distributed tal effects. wilderness boundary, we will have hiked up stay five days, so plan on attending for at least broadly across an area. The invasion of We need fire in our forests and grass- the wilderness boundary both north and a couple of days if not the whole time. We the non-natives has changed it all, with lands. We do not need fire in the desert-its south of the canyon, we will have quickly also hope to add another high-elevation field Buffel grass covering hundreds of thou- hot enough! Be careful when you camp lost the cooling shade of cottonwoods and weekend in late July or early August to help sands of acres in Sonora (and spread- out there. Don’t plant fountain grass in willows, we will have hiked our butts off in you all alleviate those down and dirty sum- ing into Arizona at an alarming rate) and your yards. Tell people to get involved. the heat, stumbled back to camp, and we will mertime-in-the-desert blues! have enjoyed the zone-tailed and black Then in the fall we will have two BLM Mountain. We had some amazing trips to do some work in the Tumacacoris, Santa hawks with our feet in the creek and cold roads survey weekends: one in the Peloncillo both areas in the past, and these trips will Ritas, southern Peloncillos, Chiricahuas, and ones in our gullets! There are some harder Mountain Wilderness area and one on Turtle finish the surveys for the areas. We will also the Dos Cabeza Mountains. Rare Rattlers Future Uncertain snakes (newborns and the Mohave, typically) continued from previous page natural fire regime. Unfortunately, fire Snakebite First Aid may not give the rattler’s tail-shake warning nosed has been illegal since the snake was is notoriously hard to control. Rattlesnakes, native throughout the before striking. added to the Endangered Species list in “Conflagrations are bad for the snake Americas, are responsible for about five Baby snakes are just as dangerous as 1978. But the isolation and small size of the regardless of how they are lit. Careful fire deaths yearly in the United States. Consid- adults because their venom is more potent ering that’s out of an estimated 45,000 total populations still put them at risk of planning and management can help fed- and they are less able to control the amount snake bites, death by rattler is not as likely of venom injected. extinction through illegal collection and loss eral land managers walk the fine line be- as one might think. Even dead snakes can be dangerous, as of habitat. At one locale, less than 30 snakes tween restoring the snake’s habitat and The best cure for snakebite is preven- bites may occur as a reflex action several have been documented. burning it to cinders,” Holycross says. tion. If you see or hear a rattlesnake, move hours after death. Cattle grazing, logging and mining away and leave it alone. Snakes will not If you are bitten, do not panic. Do not use can damage the snake’s woodland chase you. Most strikes can be attributed any item in your first-aid kit that claims to home, but the gravest threat is cata- to attempts to handle a snake. Embarrass- be useful for snakebite: no tourniquet, no strophic fire. After a century of fire ingly often, these involve young men and/ knives, no ice. Do keep the affected limb suppression, forest fires can burn so or quantities of alcohol. below the heart if possible. Track the spread hot they convert a pine-oak woodland If the snake is in your back yard, it is ei- of any swelling or redness by marking it ev- ther a transient that will soon be gone or it to open grassland, a change that ery 15 minutes—this will indicate the amount has moved in to hunt the rodents that live of venom involved. Do get medical attention would forever expel this snake from there. Keep your environs rodent-free and immediately.

its garden. photo by Andy Holycross clear any rock, brush or debris piles that could A new antivenin, on the market for about And, according to preeminent provide shelter to hunter and prey. [Remov- two years, is reported to be more reliable and ridgenose researcher Dr. Andrew ing rattlesnakes by calling your fire depart- less dangerous than the old horse-serum ver- Holycross at Arizona State University, ment or pest control service should be a last sion. However it is very expensive and often all three sky island habitats are now at option (see Spring 2003 issue).] not covered under medical insurance. risk for catastrophic fire. Prescribed Look before putting your hands or feet It is better to treat snakes—as all animals— fires are key to reducing fuel loads and into holes or crevices, under rocks or logs with respect, and leave the snake-handling to or into clumps of vegetation. Some rattle- preparing the landscape for a more religious cults and professional herpetologists. Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 11 A Big Sky Island Welcome to Our Summer 2003 Legal Interns! by Rachel Kondor, SIA Ecosystem Defense and Policy Director his summer will be a productive one for the legal department American issues will assist us in research Vanessa Gross is just finishing her first here at the Sky Island Alliance. I am anxiously awaiting four related to tribal issues, as well as Mexican year at the College of Law. She gradu- fantastic legal minds whom I will put to work the minute they legal systems. ated from Kenyon College in Ohio with T Jennifer Wolfsong will be joining us again a degree in Anthropology and Spanish step through the door at the end of May. this summer. She has been with us since last literature, and also received a Master’s Aaron Hall has just finished his first year research on national Mexican law, and the summer when she worked full-time, and she in Social Work from Arizona State. Be- at the University of Arizona College of Law. state laws of Sonora and Chihuahua. stayed on part-time throughout the school fore beginning law school, she worked Aaron grew up in Tucson and is a graduate Leonardo (Lenny) Alvarado will be start- year. She has been a great addition to our for the Nature Conservancy for several of Salpointe High School. After graduating ing his last year at the UA Law School this staff here at SIA because she is a diligent years as their membership coordinator. from the University of Oregon with a de- fall. Lenny is a fluent Spanish speaker as researcher, excellent writer, and all around Vanessa has a deep commitment to com- gree in Philosophy, and minors in both well. He graduated from Fort Lewis Col- fun person to work with. She has worked munity service and volunteerism. She Spanish and Environmental Studies, he lege in Durango with a degree in Interna- on a variety of issues while at SIA and re- continued to volunteer for the Conser- spent two years in the Peace Corps in Hon- tional Relations, and from the University of cently she played a key role in responding vancy for several years after leaving her duras. In Honduras, Aaron established wa- Arizona with a Master’s in American Indian to a Bush Administration proposal to change official position there, has volunteered ter supply and health projects for commu- Studies. In law school, Lenny is active in the regulations under the National Forest for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and was a nities, and facilitated the development of the Native American Law Students Asso- Management Act. Jennifer’s comments board member and volunteer for the St. eco-tourism with an indigenous village. ciation, where he acts as co-chair, and has pointed out in no uncertain terms how the Patrick’s Educational Society. Vanessa Aaron will spend the first part of the sum- also worked in the Tribal Law Clinic. One proposals did not comport with the letter of will be volunteering for us half time this mer at a summer school program in of his projects there included doing research the law or the intent of the National Forest summer and we are really looking for- Guanajuato, Mexico, studying the Mexican on the ruling by the Inter-American Court Management Act. In addition to her duties ward to her help! legal system. Upon his return to Tucson at of Human Rights against the Nicaraguan in the legal department, Jennifer is also Our interns always bring a huge amount the end of June, Aaron’s knowledge of government for illegal logging concessions training to be a wildlife tracking volunteer; of energy and enthusiasm to the office dur- Mexican law, and Spanish-speaking ability on indigenous territory. Lenny’s Spanish- she’s taken a “multiple-use” approach while ing the summer months. Please welcome will help us to begin some much-needed speaking ability and background in Native working at SIA! them to the Sky Island family!

On the Trail-Food from the Field by Tomas and Tom Taylor-Mesa, AZ hen out in the field, it’s likely you’ll be surrounded by a caf- member rib a few inches long. You can use eteria of culinary delights! One group of field flora we wel- an upward or downward stroke on the fruit. come each spring is the prickly pear. The most common species Try to catch the fruit as it falls in a five-gallon W bucket (it’s best to work in a team of two). found in the bajadas surrounding your favorite Sky Islands will likely be Any fruit with a pinkish blush is ripe for use. Opuntia engelmannii-Engelman’s prickly pear. All species of prickly pear Once you fill your bucket, return to camp are edible, and the young tender pads (nopales) found in the spring to early and split open the “pears” and remove the Ripe, pulpy saguaro fruits, yumm! summer are the best choice. fruit, seeds and all. Place all this in a pot of airtight. Place in a shaded, room-tempera- To harvest young pads, you’ll need a pair tein, calcium, iron, ash, potassium, and are cool water and cook to a bright juice consis- ture area. Taste daily. Figure on two to four of tongs and your pocketknife. Pliers will fat free. They are especially good for diabet- tency. After an hour or so of cooking, pour days for fermentation. Be careful, there’s a work, if used with a light touch, for the tongs. ics. The liquid was also utilized in the reno- the entire contents through a strainer into a fine line of time between wine and vinegar. Or you can fashion tongs out of mesquite vation of the Mission San Javier del Bac. bucket. Pour this liquid into a glass or clay Note: Save the strained fruit pulp. It can twigs and use them like chopsticks. Added to mortar, it lets moisture evaporate container and cover. Make sure cover is not be air dried into cakes for consumption. Once you have a dozen or so tender pads, out of the walls, unlike modern petroleum you will need to remove the spines. Hold products that trap moisture. Let’s hear it for Salsa Recipes Place all ingredients in an old coffee down the edge where the pad was removed “old school!” by Tomas and Tom Taylor from the mother plant with your tongs and Summer Wine and the Livin’ is grinder or molcajete (stone grinder) and La Dinamita grind to a superfine powder to pour from scrape off the spines with your knife. Flip Easy! Native Fish are Jumpin’ and Easy! Native Fish are Jumpin’ and a salt shaker. Note: All measurements are the pad over and repeat. Then trim about a the Saguaro Fruit is High! My father-in-law and Tomas’ grandfa- quarter inch off the edge of the pad circum- inexact. Adjust to your own tolerance! ther was born in Clifton, AZ. Among his Salsa de Chile Chipotle ference. Next, wash the pads in cool water, In the heat of summer, while in the vicin- occupations was herding sheep in south- and then cut into bite-sized chunks. Place ity of Martinez Canyon monitoring translo- eastern Arizona and southwestern New 1-16 oz can tomato Sauce the cut nopalitos in a pot of water and steam cated native fish, we often harvest saguaro Mexico. Food in the backcountry was 6-sprigs cilantro, stalks and leaves for five to 10 minutes or until tender. During fruit. One of the products of the fruit har- enlivened with his “dry” salsa, which due 1-tablespoon Mexican oregano the steaming process, a gooey liquid vest is a delicious, sweet desert wine. (Note: to the chiltepin content was aptly named ½-tablespoon salt byproduct will form, similar to okra. Remove We are on BLM land and per BLM state La Dinamita! This dry and light salsa 5-smoked, dried jalapenos the pads and wash in cool to cold water. office, the harvesting of saguaro fruit for per- can be carried all over Sky Island trails. 4-garlic cloves (Note: The goo can be saved to apply topi- sonal use is allowed without a permit.) Shelf life is not likely to be an issue as it’s Toss all ingredients in a blender, and cally to minor abrasions or to soothe sunburn, In May the saguaro cactus are in bloom, doubtful that any pathogen would mess blend to a smooth liquid consistency. or you can save it to thicken chile powder and in late June through July you can har- with chiltepin! And you may find it so Add or subtract from indicated into a gravy.) vest the red plum-shaped fruits. You will be flavorful anyway that you’ll have it con- amounts to adjust flavor and heat ac- You can then sauté the nopalitos with on- in for some competition with white-winged sumed in a very short time. cording to your needs and tolerances! ion, garlic, oregano and bacon bits, or add to doves for this sweet, delectable fruit! 60-chiltepin Shelf life of this salsa on the trail is two scrambled eggs! To harvest saguaro fruit you will need two 2-tablespoons garlic powder days or so if stuffed down in the cool Nopalitos have a distinct vegetable taste dry saguaro ribs that will extend to 15 to 20 2-teaspoons salt innards of your backpack, or five to six (like okra or green beans) and are nutritious, feet bound together with baling wire. A few 20-dried leaves of epazote days if refrigerated. with vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, pro- inches from the tip of this pole, wire a cross- 12 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 the wild roses were early We live this year—a few pale blooms in a world of Power faint-scented the sky hurls ice and in the hot air, flecked fire, cracks its own with black shell from fires upwind, driven strikes! straight to the heart closer ridge by ridge—forest grass and thorn flamed down sparked by lightning [deep to the bone in the forest—did anyone see?]

this fire, “our” fire, has lost all sense flakes of white, papery ash fall of proportion we say around us—blackened pine needles and call it WILD puzzle-bits of charred bark as it heads for ranches at the top of our valley ashen supper now marked for evacuation for spiders tonight the school cafeteria crowded anxious, weathered faces one sweep of cool wind “are the cattle all out?” then, again “are you sure everyone knows?” —the oven’s open door “what if someone won’t leave?” “what about my chickens?” in the night “we’ll do all we can” “find each other...help each other” “that’s the way it works” Dolores adds a light spatter on the roof... —sun and soot, sweat and today, my son’s birthday, a deluge! the hot, hot wind thunder and hail and the river already rising—today past the roadblock sharp smell of smoke sudden chill for the forest and all its life new roses open deep pink and smelling like rain we stop at our neighbor’s —V. Bodner “no relief in sight—the forecast says more wind this way—” by the dry-mud streambed our cabin a twisted old pine by the door we rake pine needles and sit down to wait

no sweeter sound rain on the metal roof... lightning and thunder hail and drenching rain

pools form tracks of small animals layer by layer dissolve and float downstream in pouring rain a blackbird splashing and splashing in the river Storm swallows Fire—monstrous thirst finally quenched ...for now at least simmering sleep in the soft ash we live in a world of power —V. Bodner

Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 13 Smokechasing Smolders with Wisdom by Bob VanDeven ing at fire eschews both fire- he spring grasses have withered and the dry winds of summer as-tool and fire-as-natural, carry whiffs of smoke and Phos-Chek—memories of last year’s both mere slogans in Pyne’s Tfire season. If the Bullock Fire of 2002 seems far removed, or if eyes and both equally inad- you’re new to Tucson, then drive up the Catalina Highway, park at the equate as prescriptions for fire Aspen vista point and survey nearly 35,000 acres of matchstick trees and policy. Fire is more than a tool, it’s a necessary compo- cauterized slopes, aprons of ash reaching almost to the San Pedro River. nent of most ecosystems and Now think about the Rodeo-Chedeski fire that took out nearly half a a desirable component of pas- million acres and God knows how many homes and you begin to feel an toral life. Likewise fire, ancient and pragmatic fear of this potent force. Yet fire is also useful, though a natural phenom- natural, and often necessary—in a word, complex. Author Stephen Pyne enon, can and does burn in unnatural and unhealthy has been immersed in this complexity, both literally and figuratively, for ways; the Bullock Fire, a de- most of his adult life. A veteran of 15 fire seasons on the North Rim of structive crown fire uncom- the Grand Canyon and author of 15 books (at least nine of them on fire), mon in pre-settlement ponde- he has perhaps a broader platform than anyone from which to speak. In rosa forests, stands as a good his latest, Smokechasing, he heaps together a collection of essays nearly example of this. Instead, Pyne argues, fire needs to be con- as combustible as his namesake. sidered in the context of what About half the essays in the book are of industrial fire, Pyne claims, are scarcely the land needs and what it has new, many have been substantially re- understood but one thing is certain, indus- to give. It’s a point that sur- worked, and nearly all of them strive to trial fire has changed the way we apply or faces repeatedly in his writing. reconfigure the way we relate to fire. It’s control open fire. Pyne has a voice unique no easy task because fire is inextricably Pyne continues with an examination of among fire chroniclers or “Prescribed fire linked to who we are as a culture and, as how modern Americans confront fire. His even nature writers in gen- Pyne makes clear, “fire regimes express the essay The Source illustrates perhaps bet- eral—tinged with humor, eru- values, institutions, and beliefs of their sus- ter than any single piece how history and dite, and passionate. Yet his does not need more taining societies.” To flesh out this point culture intersect to generate policy. In the style can at times seem inac- Pyne takes us on a tour of various coun- 19th century many rural Americans prac- cessible, especially when the policy. It needs a tries and continents. In Africa, Australia, ticed “light burning” in which duff and reader stumbles over words New Zealand, and other places we see how underbrush were ignited to prevent true like swiddener, impauperate, poet.” fire has interacted with climate, geography, conflagrations and/or to open the under or revanchist. One can’t help wildlife and, most importantly, humans, story for grazing, but in 1910 the “Big wondering if nine books and taking on a unique character in each in- Blowup” ripped through half a dozen states numerous articles have said all —Stephen J. Pyne stance. We are also introduced to what and on into Canada, killing at least 78 there is to say, turning Pyne Pyne refers to as the two great combus- firefighters and costing the fledgling For- to the task of finding new ways to say it. educate a group of schoolchildren about tion realms: those of industrial fire and est Service a million dollars. Suddenly the Still, it’s hard to imagine a more thorough fire and southwestern forests. It’s a clever open fire. Industrial fire involves the burn- debate over fire policy contracted to just or intelligent treatment of the subject and device because it naturally extends the les- ing of fossil fuels, whether in diesel engines two alternatives: light burning or total fire as we journey from Paleolithic Europe to son to the reader. One senses Doc’s pa- or steel mills, aircraft or tractors. It usu- control. But Pyne correctly asks why only Ghana to the forests of the San Francisco tience and the understated value of the ally follows and displaces the more primi- two choices should have been considered Peaks we witness new pieces of the fire fenced experimental plot outside Flagstaff tive fires of agricultural societies, altering and in exposing the false frontiers of the mosaic skillfully tapped into place. Doc where the forest of long ago has been res- and often extinguishing what were once debate he makes his best case for what he Smith’s History Lesson is a wonderful, urrected. Pyne seems at his best in the first traditional uses for flame. The influences calls fire-as-biology. This new way of look- evenly paced essay in which we watch Doc person and like kindling many of his small- est pieces burn brightest, among them Fire- bug and Almost Lost. The latter, probably my favorite, catches the author at his most Little Rincons, continued from reflective on a night when he is acciden- tally locked in a bathroom. Like a true back cover firefighter Pyne jury rigs a way out (I won’t The Little Rincons see moderate hunting in the deer season. Hik- spoil it) while at the same time making ers and campers occasionally take advantage of the range, the lat- subtle commentary about those who pur- ter utilizing a number of undeveloped sites along Paige Creek and sue graduate degrees and those who work Ash Creek. The lush cottonwoods and sycamores are particularly in the woods. It’s only two pages but the attractive to birdwatchers and even though the high granite faces humor glitters like broken glass in a firepit have lured a few rock climbers, most prefer more accessible routes and provides us an endearing glimpse of in other ranges. ATV use is common along Forest Road 35, which the man behind the pen. is the primary access to the area, as well as on various spurs and I’ll admit to being surprised by portions wildcat roads. of Smokechasing. Pyne neither panders to ATV use has increased greatly in the Little Rincons, due in part the greens by proclaiming fire itself a cure to easy access along Forest Road 35. Riders have pushed deeper for sick forests, nor does he reduce fire to photo by Bob VanDeven into unprotected wilderness areas, in particular ignoring signs and a blunt instrument. He writes no sweep- barriers in the bed of Paige Creek at the north end of the range. ing policy and offers no panacea. But he Overgrazing is also evident in much of the Little Rincons and the does treat fire with the respect your par- fragile, xeric soils rebound slowly if at all from such impacts. Wil- ents always told you it deserved. No mat- derness designation would protect these fragile soils from the rav- ter what aspect of fire you are most inter- ages of motorized abuse. Overgrazing is being adressed through ested in, Smokechasing will probably sat- the allotment review process. isfy. It’s not slash and burn writing, but it does smolder with accumulated wisdom, and in its own way raises an alarm or two. 14 Sky Island Alliance Summer 2003 Thanks, folks! Sky Island Alliance would like to thank the following individuals. Each of these 214 Sky Island Alliance Summer–Fall volunteers donated time in the field or office. Without these folks, Sky Island Alliance could not do the good work. Joe Cicero, entomologist extraordinaire, was the Volun- 2003 Field Schedule teer of the Year, donating more than 240 hours! Thanks Joe! And thank you again to all our great volunteers! Please contact the Sky Island Alliance office at 520.624.7080 or Brandy Acuna, Adam Adorisio, Lori Mahoney, Robert Mann, Steve Marlett, [email protected] if you are interested in attending any Andersen, Barry Anderson, Paul Bagley, Greta Carolyn McCallister, Nell McCallum, Sharon Balderrama, Acasia Berry, Rob Betasso, Nick McDonough-Means, Brad McRae, Rinda of the following events. Bleser, Steve Bless, Gita Bodner, John Boone, Metz, Alyssa Miller, Amanda Moors, Sue June 20-23. Riparian Inventory and Monitoring Weekend. San Rafael Val- Curt Bradley, Dorita Brady, Debbie Brewer, Morse, Ken Mroczek, Sheri Murphy, Judith ley. Join the Sky Island Alliance’s Riparian Inventory/Monitoring Program in a George Bromley, Dan Brudno, Janay Brun, Musick, Aletris Neils, Will Nelson, Amy project to assess the San Rafael Valley as a site for the conservation and manage- Cyndi Bush, James Byers, Joan Calcagno, Newhall, Doug Newton, Stepahanie Nichols- ment of our sensitive riparian fauna. 2.0 hours from Tucson. Young, Jim Notestine, Anne O’Brien, Daniel Josh Campbell, Clinton Cates, Michael June 27-July 2. Blue Range-Black River Inventory. Beat the heat and head Chamberland, Anna Mary Childs, Jack Childs, Patterson, Steve Pavlik, Penny Pederson, Carol Dyna Chin, Joe Cicero, Matt Clark, Laurel Powell, Erin Pruett, Janice Pryzbyl, Anna north into cool conifer forests with us to monitor and inventory areas that had a Clarke, Sid Clarke, Marie Claude Perigon, Ranek, Paulo Ranek, Michele Redmond, Sean high proliferation of roads when inventoried in years past. If you can’t make the Matt Colvin, Paul Condon, Steve Condon, Michael Reed, Judy Reed, Kurt Rinehart, Susie whole trip, come when you can. 4.0 hours from Tucson. Neva Connolly, Cullen Cramer, Sky Crosby, Rinehart, Ted Reynolds, Jenny Roberts, July 11-13. Riparian Inventory and Monitoring Weekend. San Rafael Val- Sarah Curtiss, Jack Davis, Marybeth Dawson, Joanne Roberts, Iris Rodden, James Roemer, ley. Join the Sky Island Alliance’s Riparian Inventory/Monitoring Program in a Roy Dawson, Dana DeBalko, David Phil Rosen, Barbara Rosensimon, Julie Ross, project to assess the San Rafael Valley as a site for the conservation and manage- Dewenter, Sonya Diehn, Darry Dolan, Fran Michelle Rudy, Cheryl Ryan, Aleka Sage, Dug ment of our sensitive riparian fauna. 2.0 hours from Tucson. Dostillo, Russell Duncan, Dave Eerkes, Joan Schoellkopf, AJ Schneller, Todd Schram, August 29-September 1. Wilderness Boundary Survey. Chiricahua Moun- Michael Scialadone, Nancy Seever, Brian Eerkes, Gerry Engel, Jessica Faustini, Deena tains. Join the Sky Island Alliance as we revisit a favorite haunt! We will camp in Fishbein, Julia Fonseca, Frog, Mike Fugali, Segee, Mike Seidman, Randy Serraglio, Chris Fuhrman, Ron Furhman, Samm Fuller, Jeniene Shaffer, Misty Shafiqullah, Salek Pinery Canyon and looking at the northern boundary of the existing Chiricahua Joe Gendron, Rochell Gerret, Lyssa Goins, Shafiqullah, Harley Shaw, Alyssa Shiel, Jon Wilderness. Trogons! Ridge-nose rattlers! Coatis! 2.5 hours from Tucson. Grant Gourley, Wade Goyetche, Robert Grant, Shumaker, Oscar Simpson, Rhiwena Slack, September 12-14. Riparian Inventory and Monitoring Weekend. San Randy Gray, Larry Green, Jeanmarie Haney, Tom Slawson, April Smith, Randy Smith, Greg Rafael Valley. Join the Sky Island Alliance’s Riparian Inventory/Monitoring Robbie Hannawacker, Kevin Hansen, Britt Sower, Birdie Stabel, Eric Stanford, Patty Program in a project to assess the San Rafael Valley as a site for the conservation Hanson, Jonathon Hanson, Roseann Hanson, Stern, Donna Stevens, Van Stevens, Joe and management of our sensitive riparian fauna. 2.0 hours from Tucson. Cassidy Hare, Delaney Hare, Janet Hare, Stevens, Renell Stewart, Ron Stewart, Kelly September 19-21. Tumacacori Mountains Roads Inventory and Advocacy Mark Harris, Chris Hass, Lisa Haynes, Mike Stoos, Don Swann, Sara Thibault, Miranda Trip. Threatened Landscape! Join us as we inventory the roads on the south and Headrick, Katy Heck, Susan Hess, Amber Thornton, William Thornton, Priscilla Titus, west side of the Tumacacori Mountains. On Sunday we will have a presentation Hodges, David Hof, Jeff Hoff, Kelly Huber, Jonathon Titus, Nick Toberg, Christina Tonelli, Mike Huckaby, Ron Hummel, Mike Iorio, Sky Jean Tsai, Dale Turner, Elizabeth Venable, on the area and natural history hikes. The Tumacacori Mountains have some of Jacobs, Renee Janaway, Frank Jents, Chris Cora Veras, Robert Villa, Peggy Vincent, Mary the largest diversity of sub-tropical species in the US. 2.0 hours from Tucson. Johnson, Greg Johnson, Cory Lee Jones, Vint-Moore, Terri Volk, Dale Volz, Tiffany October 3-5. Roads, Riparian Areas, and Biological Surveys. Peloncillo Linda Jones, Jen Katcher, Frank Kirshner, Volz, David Warnack, Vickie Warner, Cathy Mountains and San Bernardino Valley. The Peloncillos are the only Sky Island Rob Klotz, Sam Knowlden, Rachel Kondor, Waterman, Stephanie Weinstein, Barbara mountain range that stretches from Mexico to the Gila River! We will be doing a Jane Kroesen, Bill Kurtz, Ellie Kurtz, Lisa Wellman, Bill Wellman, Ann Wendland, Mer- variety of work both in the mountains and down in the valley. 4.0 hours from Labita, Kenneth Langton, Mike LeBlanc, lin Wheeler, Kenny Wilcoxon, Natasha Winnik, Tucson. Lainie Levick, Brie Love, Gregg Magee, Kelsey Marilyn Wright-Germain, Nancy Zierenberg. October 10-12. Sky Island Festival. Stay tuned for lots of big adventures! Parties! Lectures! Hikes! Wish List • Comfy couch or recliner for office • Comfy office chairs in good condition Join Us • Office supplies: copier paper, postage stamps, etc. • Mac-compatible, large-screen monitor for layout Sky Island Alliance • barstools for our map table f you received this newsletter and it’s time to renew your member- ship, please send in your check! If you are reading a friend’s news- Become a SIA Program Iletter, consider joining us! We rely on members for our basic opera- tions. Contributions are tax-deductible; we are a 501(c)3 organization. Basic membership is only $25, but if you add a little to that, here’s Fund Donor a sampling of what your dollars can do: •$50 will help us survey 30 miles of roads. tories in this issue and the Spring issue have been featuring pro- •$75 will sponsor volunteer training workshops. jects in our Rewilding Program: road inventory and restoration, •$100 will close one mile of road. S wilderness work, wildlife monitoring and the Missing Link, our Dragoons Restoration Demonstration Area. Your Name ______Address______All the necessary road closures, track- • Mexico—the Chihuahua Research ing workshops, and wilderness advocacy Station in Janos, and the Jaguar City ______State _____ Zip ______gets done only with extra funding, so Program in Sonora. please consider a special donation to one Please make your check out to Sky Phone ______E-Mail ______of the following funds: Island Alliance, with a note in the Memo Sky Island Alliance • Roads & Restoration, line about which fund you’d like to sup- • Wildlife Monitoring (Tracking), port. We’ll make sure your money goes P.O. 41165 • Missing Link, to the programs that mean the most to Tucson, AZ 85717 Thank you! • Wilderness, and you, and we’ll send you reports! or join online at www.skyislandalliance.org Summer 2003 Sky Island Alliance 15 Sky Island Alliance Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 41165 U.S. Postage Tucson, AZ 85717 PAID Permit # Tucson, AZ

The Little Rincon Mountains—No Small Glory he Little Rincons cling like parentheses to the eastern flank of their sister range, embracing two major tain lions, and coatimundis, which take ad- drainages and some of the most rugged country in southeastern Arizona. The main body of the range vantage of the solitude and biological pro- is a jumbled wilderness of granite slabs and boulders, concealing secret waterholes and narrow canyons. ductivity of this isolated range. The US T Forest Service manages most of the Little Less foreboding are the lower elevations where streamside galleries of cottonwood, willow, and sycamore meander Rincons as part of the Catalina Ranger through grassy hills and the aptly named Happy Valley. Providing both a peaceful escape from the modern District. hustle and bustle and a challenge to the adventurous, the Little Rincons are emblematic of Sky Island diversity. There are no developed trails within North Star Peak stands at 6,041 feet above this rugged range although two that sea level, the highest point in the range and a climb into the larger Rincon Range, the rocky vantage point from which to survey the Miller Creek and Turkey Creek trails, lower slopes and drainages. All precipitation begin on the edge of the proposed wil- falling in the Little Rincons will eventually derness. One unmaintained route leads reach the San Pedro River, some coursing to Hidden Pasture; although it appears down the eastern slopes on a short journey as a trail on some maps it is difficult for and some flowing west into either Paige Creek even the most seasoned hiker to find. The or Ash Creek which arc around the north and Little Rincons offer adventurous souls south ends of the range, respectively. These the opportunity to truly leave civilization two drainages support long groves of cotton- behind and enter a maze of boulder- wood, ash, willow, and sycamore and provide choked canyons, soaring monoliths, and habitat for javelina, Sonoran chub, leopard silent amphitheaters. frogs, and countless migratory songbirds. The Little Rincons link the larger Most of the lower portions of the range, in- Rincon Mountains with the San Pedro cluding Happy Valley, are semidesert grass- River. They are a small but valuable step- land while higher slopes support Madrean ev- ping stone in the Sky Island chain, espe- ergreen woodland. Saguaros and associated cially in light of the lush and productive Sonoran Desert species also occur at certain drainages that line their western flanks. low-elevation sites and south-facing slopes. Both zone-tailed hawks and black hawks The Little Rincons contain a surprising de- nest along Paige Creek, and several spe- gree of geological diversity as well, from the cies of bat roost in the abundant crevasses granite towers of the high country to lime- and shallow caves that pockmark the stone and Dripping Springs quartzite at the range. Paige Creek also hosts at least two northern end of the range. Long ago contact species of native fish and has been tar- metamorphism—brought about by the intru- geted by the Forest Service for removal of sion of Catalina Gneiss—changed some of the non-natives . limestone to marble and today one can find The Little Rincons are an important large, polished blocks lodged between walls component of the San Pedro watershed, of black basalt in certain canyons. channeling and mitigating the movement Both whitetail and mule deer populate the of water into Paige and Ash Creeks. 16 Sky Island Alliance Little Rincons, along with black bears, moun- Summercontinued 2003 on page 14