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Houston Draw Project

 

 August 26-28, & September 8-10, 2023

 

 

 

AES Wapiti Weekend 2019 Flyer pg1 Web AES Wapiti Weekend 2019 Flyer pg2 Web

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BUCK SPRING ALLOTMENT OVERVIEW 
by Steve Clark  

In March of 2009 the Arizona Elk Society facilitated the retirement of the Buck Springs Allotment in Northern Arizona. This allotment had many issues that made many parts of it challenging to the family that had worked it for years grazing cattle. Many threatened and endanger wildlife species live in the area and with the restrictions to grazing, it wasn’t economically feasible to graze cattle. The AES signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Forest Service to work towards improving and restoring the natural elements of the habitat for the wildlife and our future generations.

Buck Springs 2As soon as the documents were signed the Arizona Elk Society was planning our first work project to get on the ground and put our volunteer efforts to work. July 25-26th 2009 was picked as the first work weekend and the planning started. Word of our project found its way into the Arizona Wildlife Conservationist Committee where the AES has been at the table. The groups at this meeting felt that the AES Buck Springs project would be a good way for many groups that are at odds with each other most of the time could come together and find some common ground where we could work together. This was the catalyst that made this project one of the largest Wildlife Habitat Projects in Arizona.

The Arizona Game & Fish came to the table and asked to partner with the event to showcase an On-the-Ground work project with their annual Conservation Workshop. Many of the groups that typically attend the Arizona Game & Fish event already had signed on to volunteer at the project and the AZGFD decided to partner with all the volunteer groups and the Arizona Elk Society. The Department really helped out in a big way with many of the logistics that were created because of the number of anticipated volunteers. The Arizona Elk Society worked with Robert Garcia to identify barbed wire fencing in the allotment that was in disrepair and unneeded that could be removes from the Forest. Fencing was designed for cattle but in many cases becomes a danger and a barrier to wildlife safety and natural daily and yearly movements from food sources and bedding and to long range migrations.

buck springs sideSo the stage was set, camp site picked out, camp volunteers signed up, fencing to be removed mapped and designated. Then they came. From all over the State volunteers started showing up. At the high point the Arizona Elk Society fed 175-180 volunteers lunch on Saturday. We had identified 6 miles of fencing to remove but with the numbers of volunteers that portion was completed on Saturday so Robert Garcia from the Forest Service and his team went out and found another 3+ miles for the Sunday crews. The volunteers on Sunday were exceptional, we usually try to be back at camp by noon to pack up and even after nearly running out of water and energy the Sunday volunteers decided to stay out till all the identified fence was removed.

Thanks to all the volunteers we were able to remove over 9 miles of barbed wire fencing to improve wildlife habitat in 2009. Until you go out and work at one of these projects or see firsthand the before and after effects you may think that it won’t be noticeable but many of the volunteers commented on the visual difference especially in the open areas with the fencing removed. It was very rewarding to the Arizona Elk Society to see volunteers from all the diverse groups come together to physically accomplish this type of on the ground work. Larry Volyes, Director of Arizona Game and Fish commented that “When people and groups come together for a common goal great things can happen”. There were many people working side by side that may have had philosophical differences but on these days all were committed to doing something for the wildlife of Arizona.

There were so many people and groups to thank for the success of this project I know that I will miss a bunch of them. I will try to name some but please know that even if you don’t get mentioned, your individual contribution to the Buck Springs work project is very much appreciated. “Thank You”. Some of the people or groups that made this project successful include: All the volunteers of the Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Game and Fish, USFS Blue Ridge Ranger District, the Arizona Wildlife Conservationist Committee, the Sierra Club, Sky Island Alliance, Mohave Sportsmen’s Club, Anglers United, Ducks Unlimited, Tracks, Animal Defense League of Arizona, Mogollon Sportsmen’s Association, South Eastern Arizona Sportsmen, Coconino Sportsmen, Arizona Wildlife Federation and other groups. Individuals included: Director Larry Voyles, Ron Sieg, Jim Devos, Robert Garcia, Sandy Bahr, John Toner, our new AES camp kitchen boss Richard Mead, Commissioner Jennifer Martin, and many others that stepped up to help out.