Work and Event Days
2026/2027 Events
National Public Lands Day hike – Saturday, September 26th. Join IFNM leaders for a hike in the Monument that will celebrate some of the unique features for which the Monument was named. The hike will emphasize the ecology of the Sonoran Desert Upland habitat with emphasis on desert responses to monsoon rains. Hike suitable for ages 10 and up, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limited to 20 participants. Group will meet at the Marana Airport at 6:45 am, carpool to the hike site, and return by 1 pm. Bring water, snacks, hat, and hiking shoes. Registration required!
National Public Lands Day fence removal – Saturday, December 12th (with Desert Fence Busters). Friends of Ironwood Forest organizes an annual stewardship project to celebrate National Public Lands Day but, in acknowledgment of September’s heat, the project is typically scheduled for December. This year’s project is removing a recently identified, abandoned, barbed-wire fence, partially down and approved for removal by the Bureau of Land Management’s Tucson Field Office. Removing fence is a demanding and dangerous job requiring skill and team organization. To accomplish our goal, FIF have enlisted the aid of Tucson-based Desert Fence Busters, an experienced, local group of dedicated volunteers. DFB has removed 100+ miles of unneeded or abandoned fence, making transit between mountain ranges around Avra Valley safer for desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, javelina, and other wildlife. Registration is required using link provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Be sure to specify Saturday 12/12 registering.
IFNM Volunteer Work Days
Pardon our dust! We’re currently overhauling this webpage for the 2026/2027 volunteer season. Watch this space for updates.
Work days are typically planned and coordinated with the BLM from 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!
For more information, sign up for our newsletter or email us directly at: info@ironwoodforest.org