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- All Subjects: Wildlife conservation
- All Subjects: Ironwood Forest National Monument (Ariz.)
- Creators: Pima County (Ariz.). County Administrator's Office
Demonstrates that an effort to protect only listed species would lead to a reserve that was closer to the urbanizing areas of Tucson, and therefore more expensive. The Listed Species Reserve is also one that makes a call on more non-federal land. By limiting the focus of the reserve to listed species, the broader and long term benefits are lost, and trade-offs of high potential habitat are not based on such comprehensive biological principles.
Provides a brief summary of a compilation of resource investigations that have been submitted so far, to help develop the SDCP within the watershed planning area of the Avra Valley. The report also includes a number of proposals related to the Ironwood Preserve.
Four adjacent ranges define the western edge of the Avra and Altar valleys. Even though desert ironwood has dark green, lush foliage much of the year, this tree is almost exclusively a Sonoran Desert species. The same is true of the distribution of saguaros, foothill palo verdes, fishhook barrel cacti, and most of the hundreds of other plants growing here. These rugged ranges also provide natural refuges for a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn and migratory pollinators. In addition to the biological resources, the area has abundant rock art sites and other archaeological sites.
On the County's behalf, the Arizona Open Land Trust has entered into two purchase agreements for the Buckelew Farms property. Under this conservation acquisition proposal, farming would continue in the areas currently farmed, grazing would continue on a seasonal basis, and the popular annual pumpkin festival would continue. However, the County and the Buckelew's would work together to enhance opportunities for wildlife habitat on the farm and grazing lands.
The spread of invasive species creates serious environmental problems as well as economic hazards for residents and will hamper implementation of parts of the SDCP.
Compares conservation plans from: City of Austin and Travis County, Texas -- Clark County, Nevada -- Wisconsin statewide -- San Diego, California -- Coachella Valley, California -- Orange County, California -- Volusia County, Florida.
Pima County's grant proposal for the 640.4 acre in-holding in the Ironwood Forest National Monument known as Lord's Ranch was selected by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Pima County in partnership with the Arizona Open Land Trust has the opportunity to purchase 500 acres of land in fee simple from the Buckelews at a per acre price of $1,800, for a total of $900,000 plus closing costs.