Work and Event Days
Welcome to the 2025/2026 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 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!
Mark your calendars- 2025 work days this season are:
Saturday, October 11, 2025 (road-based surveys)
Saturday, November 8, 2025 (trash removal)
Saturday, December 6, 2025- National Public Lands Day observance – a joint project with Desert Fence Busters
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 on 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:
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Friday, November 14, 2025
Saturday, December 6, 2025 (a National Public Lands Day event)
Friday, January 23, 2026
Friday, February 6, 2026
For additional details and to RSVP, please visit the AZGFD Desert Fence Busters web page.
We encourage you to check out this presentation to orient newcomers to the Desert Fence Busters work days. This is not a prerequisite to participate, but it provides helpful context on what to expect from these events.
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.
