Land and Water Conservation Fund
There is another Administration threat to funding for the environment and public parks, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. While this isn’t a direct threat to the Ironwood Forest National Monument, it is more of the continuing attack on DOI funding for the public’s benefit and how their funds are allocated internally away from open spaces. Read the fact sheet provided by The Wilderness Society by clicking here.
Opposition to the Proposed Interstate I-11
The Arizona Department of Transportation is studying alternative routes for a new Interstate 11 highway. Their apparently favored route through Avra Valley would cut between the IFNM and Saguaro NP, Tucson Mountain Park and Tribal Lands. Such a route would seriously interrupt wildlife migration and add several kinds of pollution to these public lands. If the added traffic capacity is indeed warranted, we favor ADOT expanding the exiting I-10 corridor.
Pros and Cons of the Proposed Interstate, September 2018
Press Release Update, August 2018
Friends of the Ironwood Forest Letter of Opposition to I-11
I-11 Public Information Meetings
I-11 Coalition for Sonoran Desert ProtectionLetter to ADOT, June 2017
I-11 Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection Letter to ADOT, July 2016
I-11 Meeting Flyer
A Letter from the Avra Valley Coalition
ADOT Submission Statement on the Proposed I-11 Routes
MEMBER ALERT
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Desert Bighorn Sheep Update
Arizona desert bighorn sheep thrive with help of conservationists – and hunters
Gabriel Sandler | Cronkite News
Thursday, March 22, 2018
MARANA – After a two-hour hike through rocky, cactus-studded terrain west of Marana – with a left knee that no longer bends – 70-year-old Joe Sheehey arrived at Silverbell Peak and spotted an Arizona desert bighorn sheep.
The ram stood at the edge of the summit, read more …
National Public Lands Day, December 8
Join the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Friends of Ironwood Forest and other organizations for our National Public Lands Day (NPLD) project in the Ironwood Forest on December 8, 2018. National Public Lands Day is celebrated nationally on the last Saturday of September. In Southern Arizona we opt for the cooler temperatures of December.
Our Projects are all at the Manville Road entrance (portal) to the Monument. There are three projects identified: restoration adjacent to the parking area at the portal; installation of a kiosk at the portal; and vegetation clean up along Manville Road a little ways past the the portal toward El Cerrito de Represso (the slash from the clean up will also help with the restoration).
With all the work planned for the Manville area we will not meet at the Marana Airport. Take Manville road west off Sandario to the IFNM entrance. Let me know if you would like to meet somewhere and follow me to the site (email and phone are below).
We will be clearing vegetation on this project, spreading vegetation and mulching adjacent to the parking area and installing the kiosk for the Manville portal. The work site is level and we will be working close to our vehicles. Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather and the project. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Water will be available on site to refill your containers.
BLM will supply tools and gloves (bring your own favorite gloves and hand tools if you like).
The Friends will provide snacks and lunch for everyone at the work site.
If you’d like to join in on the fun, sign up by contacting Jim at [email protected] or leave a message at 628-2092.
All volunteers need to complete and have a BLM approved Volunteer Service Agreement form on file. If you would like to participate, please send your completed Volunteer Service Agreement to both Robert Walter [email protected] before noon on Dec 7th, and state that you want to participate in the NPLD work party. Volunteer Service Agreement is available HERE
Hope to see you on December 8th!!
For more information on the national NPLD event see: https://www.neefusa.org/
Harris Hawk Release
A Harris Hawk was released after last week’s press conference which Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) hosted with local environmental advocates highlighting the threat to Ironwood Forest National Monument and other national monuments across the country.
Left to right: Representative from Liberty Wildlife, Maria Klucarova from Supervisor Bronson’s office, Verlon Jose who is the Vice Chair Tohono O’odham Nation.
You can also view a video of the press conference by clicking here.
Fact v. Fiction
Bill Thornton separates fact from fiction in a letter published July 25 in the Arizona Daily Star. Bill addresses statements made by the Congressional Western Caucus, which includes three Arizona Congressman. Read Bill’s article here. Covered in the article are highlights from the letter the Caucus sent to Interior Secretary Zinke. Bill debunks statements such as the false implication that ranchers with grazing leases have concerns over access, that off highway vehicles are prohibited and that the monument has resulted in a loss of revenue for K-12 education.
Arizona Conservationists: Save our National Monuments
The Arizona Daily Star ran an article on Sunday, June 4 called Arizona Conservationists: Save our National Monuments. The article was by William Thornton, the Friends of Ironwood Forest (FIF) Vice President and Tom Hannagan, FIF President. The article covers the history of how the Ironwood Forest National Monument achieved its designation, how the monument land has benefited from thousands of hours of hands-on work by hundreds of volunteers and information on how to make your voice heard in protest to the threat to our national monuments. Read the article here.
Action Items to Protect Our Public Lands
The executive order of April 26, 2017 to review designations under the Antiquities Act is nothing less than a frontal assault on our national parks and monuments. This executive order is a direct threat, if not a promise, to undo over a century of progress in conservation. The Friends of Ironwood Forest will use every resource to 1) educate the public on what is at stake, 2) advocate with lawmakers to stop any attempt to weaken the Antiquities Act, 3) take the position that an attempt to reduce or eliminate any existing park or monument is unacceptable.
Please refer to the documents in the Mission & Advocacy page of our website for actions we’ve already taken. Since April 26, we have been busy developing our position statement on the executive order, working with partners to send a letter opposing the order to the Secretary of the Interior, and combining with three other Friends groups in Arizona to issue a press release on our reaction to the order.
