Hart Prairie Work Weekend - October 21-23 2011 (Another!)

This is our regularly planned annual weekend at Hart Prairie.
Please come planning to work at any various task at the preserve.
Note we will be handling the signup here, so get signed up here asap (first come, first served) with the dates you are coming.

We also need to round up food options so we can all contribute to food or we can do a food buy and have everyone contribute. Please post your preference.

Hart Prarie Preserve Work weekend
October 21-23 2011$25.00 for food
You can contact Neil @ nchapman@tnc.org
Great views, fence work, good food, seed collecting, weed removal, cool crisp air, slash and rounds...

How to get there: If you are coming from Phoenix, be aware that it will take you at least 3 hours (3.5 from Tempe) so arriving Friday is best. If you arrive after dark, look for the porchlight to your left as you come in, you'll be seeing a rail fence in your headlights. We'll keep someone around to direct you to your cabin as long as possible. If you know you'll be really late, please let us know and we'll figure something out.

* From the south, take I-17 to Flagstaff, I-17 becomes Milton Road after you enter Flagstaff.
* Continue north, pass under a railroad bridge and turn left onto Humphreys
* Turn left at Columbus (at traffic light) onto Hwy 180
* Follow 180 out of town approximately 10 miles and past the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort
* Just past mile post 225, turn right onto Forest Road 151 (there is a bright yellow daytime headlight use sign at this turn);
* Drive 4.5 miles and look for The Nature Conservancy sign on the right.
* Leave the gate the way you find it. Please drive slowly into the Preserve (15 mph);
* From the gate to cabins is about half a mile
* Drive to your assigned cabin or ask whereabouts upon your arrival, unload, and please park your vehicle in the corral parking area north of the lodge, please back into your spot

Information Sheet
Most of you all know this but just in case: please read this thoroughly and contact Neil or Shawn if you have questions.

Key Information
• Cabins are rustic but comfortable, beds are fine, bring your own linens or sleeping bags.
• The sewer system works but how or why is largely a mystery; use the composting toilet if at all possible
• Shower house is a wonderful luxury after a good day of grubby work. Bring your own towel and toiletries.
• Water is trucked in, use it sparingly, please don’t waste it. If you see a plumbing leak let the Preserve folks know immediately.
• Any food left out unprotected-indoors or out-will likely be confiscated by small furry critters of the night.
• We will be TNC volunteers this weekend, please sign the waiver forms.
• **No pets are allowed on the preserve.** (Sorry 'bout that.)
• There are no commercial facilities at the preserve, i.e., no store, no ice, no sodas, etc. Bring what you need with you.
• We are responsible for cleaning up the cabins before we leave.

What to wear and bring
• Sturdy shoes, work gloves, water container to take to the work sites (additional water available)
• Snacks if you need any to help you make it to lunch time
• Sun protection (wide brim hat, loose clothing that covers limbs, sunscreen); the air is clear and the elevation is 8,400 ft, sun burn happens quickly.
• Long-sleeve shirt and pants (recommended)
• Rain gear and warmer clothing (Check the forecast – It is generally 15 degrees cooler!!! than Flagstaff.) [http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=FGZ&llon=-112.433747&rlon=-111.171247&tlat=35.829584&blat=34.567084&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=137&map.y=98]
• Personal first aid kit
• Towels and toiletries
• Sleeping bag or linens – extra blankets available in the cabins
• Small cooler for your snacks/drinks and food for any meals not arranged by the group (Refrigerator in lodge kitchen will be used by our chefs.)
• Flashlight or head lamp is a must (not fun getting lost at night traversing between buildings)
• Cabins and bathrooms have lights but the Preserve's electricity is home made--solar and a generator-- so please use appliances sparingly (if not needed immediately-shut it off).
• Binoculars, Camera
• The Preserve provides eating utensils and dishes.

Cabin dwellers: Cabins have small heaters that work quite well
Bring sleeping bag and pillow or your own bedding. Keep all personal food items in a cooler or plastic bin to protect from small critter invasion. Keep doors closed.

Physical requirements to participate:
Moderate to hard work, lighter options availalble. Work elevation is just over 8,400 feet—a big change from the valley. Work at your own pace, think safety!

Meals
• Meals are a group effort. Dish washing duties are shared; please step up for a meal’s worth.
• BYOB
• Bring your own food for snacks during work and any additional meals you will need if you choose to arrive or leave outside the provided meal service period. (See arrival and departure options below.)
• There is a well equipped kitchen, and a gas grill out back.

Agenda
Friday - You may arrive any time after 1:00 +/-.
The kitchen will be open to you to make your dinner. You will be responsible for cleaning up after yourself. There may be room to store your food in the kitchen however, the group meal provisions have first dibbs on the limited refridgerator space. (See what to wear and bring above.)
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azbackpackr · Posted: 9/6/2011, 6:09 am Post subject:

I like it all. Do we send a check somewhere, or?

GTG · Posted: 9/6/2011, 9:38 am Post subject:

GTG · Posted: 9/6/2011, 10:07 am Post subject: Hart Prairie Donations

One thing to keep in mind is that the Hart Prairie Nature Preserve is owned and run by The Nature Conservancy - http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/hart-prairie-preserve.xml

They depend upon funding provided by donations and they are always open to any donation given. (Donating is not necessary but is nice to do.)
You can donate at the Preserve or online and all donations are tax deductable.

Thanks,
GTG
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Good things come to those who walk.

azbackpackr · Posted: 9/6/2011, 10:19 am Post subject:

Sounds like a good thing to do.

sbkelley · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 284 Location: Tempe, AZ

Would certainly like to come for at least part of this work weekend - is it possible to work for the day on Saturday and head home in evening? Or is this an all-in kind of trip? Definitely want to pitch in (and haven't seen ya'll in awhile!), but school's keeping me pretty busy
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Mountains complement desert as desert complements city, as wilderness complements and completes civilization. - Ed Abbey

GTG · Posted: 9/7/2011, 10:17 am Post subject:

sbkelley · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 284 Location: Tempe, AZ

Hmmm...better not be late on Saturday am then Razz

Let me talk to Tanya and see if she'd like to help out, too. We can bring up whatever food/drink still needed. I see you may be bringing your homebrew, so will have to stick around for that at the very least!
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Mountains complement desert as desert complements city, as wilderness complements and completes civilization. - Ed Abbey

Deborah · Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 297 Location: Tucson

Plans have changed for that weekend. I have been doing some outdoor work with Inner City tucson kids and we are taking a few camping to Parker Canyon lake that weekend.
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Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. - Rachel Carson

azbackpackr · Posted: 9/18/2011, 8:19 pm Post subject:

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

And Elizabeth, you won't have to share your Pop Tarts and Corn Dogs Crazy

Although I'm sure you would
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

azbackpackr · Posted: 9/25/2011, 8:01 pm Post subject:

No, mine mine all mine! Wink

GTG · Posted: 9/26/2011, 11:01 am Post subject:

Two beers for this weekend went into the fermenters last night.
Blood orange, Belgian wheat and a mesquite dark wheat.

GTG
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Good things come to those who walk.

chihiggs · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 565 Location: Gilbert, AZ

Getting closer to our work weekend!! I am starting to get excited Laughing

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All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them...Walt Disney

Shawn · Posted: 9/27/2011, 8:46 am Post subject:

There are 3 pounds of bacon and two pretty nice steaks in the freezer marked for AZ Hikers, to be used for this event.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

GTG · Posted: 9/28/2011, 10:25 am Post subject: