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Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum: Save Our Saguaros
February 27, 2024 @ 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
You can help us save saguaros and the animals that call them home. From what? Buffelgrass and fountaingrass!
These invasive grasses smother young saguaros and fuel fires that can kill both young and old saguaros alike. Most of our native plants are not adapted to fire. In contrast, buffelgrass thrives on fire. This is one of the major dangers of buffelgrass. If a fire occurs in an uninvaded desert setting, it burns out quickly, but if fire starts in a buffelgrass-invaded desert, it will spread rapidly as far as this fire-loving grass will carry it.
Time: 8:00 to 12:30Organization:
Description: The hike will be short (about 3-4 miles round trip), but off-trail and across rough terrain. The last quarter mile is very steep. The worksite is on a steep slope. Take as many breaks as you like to sit and enjoy the grand view in a portion of the Tucson Mountains that’s usually inaccessible to the public.
Meeting Location: Please contact the organizer for the exact location and more information: fjstaub@hotmail.com 520-260-1400. The meeting place is in Picture Rocks at the end of 2 miles of dirt road. Although the road is very rough, 4WD is not required.
Event location: Lat: 32.343421 Long: 111.163835
Volunteers: 0 registered out of a total capacity of 30
Tools Provided: National Park personnel will come with us and provide instructions, gloves, and tools
Bring: Two litters of liquid, protection from the sun (hat and sunscreen).
Wear: Sturdy footwear for hiking and working,
Additional Information: Not only will you spend time in one of the prettiest desert landscapes on earth, you may win a saguaro cactus for your yard. Pima County has provided a saguaro in a one-gallon container to be raffled off. To see pictures of buffelgrass and where we will be working: https://www.frankstaub.com/Folders/Buffelgrass-A-Horrible-Invasive
Leader Name: Frank Staub
Email: fjstaub@hotmail.com
Phone: 520-260-1400
(Okay to text this number)