Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum: Save Our Saguaros
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 am – 1:00 pmOrganization: Saguaro National Park
Description: Pull fountain grass in desert stream. We will carpool to a site where there is limited parking. The hike to the site is short but off-trail and somewhat steep. Return to Visitor Center by 1 pm. RSVP required.
Meeting Location: Meet at Visitor Center, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, at 8 AM.
Event location: 3693 South Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730
Volunteers: 5 registered out of a total capacity of 20
Tools Provided: yes
Bring: Water and lunch
Wear: Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, hat, boots suitable for desert hiking.
Additional Information: Participants must RSVP in advance by emailing us at SAGU_Invasive@nps.gov. If we need to cancel due to weather we’ll let you know the night before. No open-toed shoes allowed. Parents MUST sign a volunteer form in advance for young people under 18.
Leader Name: Don Swann
Email: SAGU_Invasive@nps.gov
Phone: 520-733-5177
- Audience: Adult, Teens (14 - 18 years)
- Genre: Conservation and Sustainability
- Type: Field Trip/Outdoor Activity, Volunteer Opportunity
