Work and Event Days
Welcome to the 2024/2025 volunteer season!
Our volunteer work day schedule this season continues to address needs in the monument and beyond. On FIF work days, jobs will vary based on priorities and staff availability of our partners at the BLM. On Desert Fence Busters fence removal days, volunteers from member organizations will come together to remove fence in wildlife corridors in the Avra Valley, Altar Valley, Tucson Mountains and Tortolitas to the Catalinas.
IFNM Volunteer work days
Work days are planned and coordinated with the BLM October through April. Volunteers assist the BLM in varied tasks such as restoration, trail improvement, sign installation, vegetation clean up, fencing, trash clean up and invasive species management (primarily buffelgrass).
On a typical day volunteers join BLM staff early in the day and head out to the chosen work site. The BLM provides the necessary tools and safety equipment. Volunteers stay busy until “noon-ish” and break for lunch or depart. Besides getting a little exercise while working, volunteers enjoy the sweeping vistas, desert plants and animals within the beautiful and enchanting Sonoran Desert environment. Working around Ragged Top, Waterman and Silverbell Mountains, the Samaniego Hills, Cocoraque Butte, El Cerrito de Represso and many other areas is very enjoyable and educational!
Mark your calendars- work days this season are:
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024 – National Public Lands Day observance – a joint project with Desert Fence Busters
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
For additional details, to sign up, and to get on the mailing list for future announcements of these projects, please email board member John Holzemer
Desert Fence Busters
Desert Fence Busters work derelict fence removal related to wildlife connectivity through the Avra Valley, Altar Valley, Tucson Mountains and Tortolitas to the Catalinas. We began the fencing work several years ago in support of the Avra Valley Wildlife Connectivity Working Group. On Desert Fence Busters fence removal days, volunteers will come from all coalition member organizations. This is important work that directly relates to wildlife that resides in and roams the lands of the Ironwood Forest National Monument.
Desert Fence Busters work days are:
Friday, November 1, 2024
Friday-Saturday, November 22-23, 2024
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Friday-Saturday, January 24-25, 2025
Friday-Saturday, February 21-22, 2025
For additional details and to RSVP, please visit the AZGFD Desert Fence Busters web page.
If you have more questions, please email board member Dave Barker
Volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated! It is a pleasure to work with the BLM on these projects and see what can be accomplished to help restore and protect this natural treasure
Go to our Maps and Directions page to see more detailed maps to Ironwood Forest National Monument, Ragged Top and the Waterman Restoration site.
