ArizonaHikers Portal Index
HomeHome   BoardBoard   AZH GearAZH Gear  FAQFAQ  RulesRules   SearchSearch
MemberlistMembers  ArticlesArticles  CalendarCalendar  GalleryGallery  LinksLinks      RegisterRegister
ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messages   Log inLog in
Public Meeting - 10/23/13 - Bighorn Sheep to Santa Catalinas

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ArizonaHikers - Community Based Hiking Discussion Board Forum Index -> Events Email to a Friend
  View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
cmc





Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 43

PostPosted: 10/22/2013, 8:07 am    Post subject: Public Meeting - 10/23/13 - Bighorn Sheep to Santa Catalinas Reply to topic Reply with quote

All - Sorry for such short notice but I wanted to call to your attention the public meeting Wed. the 23rd regarding restoration of the Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep to the Santa Catalinas.

What might be of interest to the hiking community is the subject of trail restrictions as part of this project. The public meeting would be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about it and ask any questions you may have.

Thanks,
cmc

----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Contact
Mark Hart/Arizona Game and Fish Department
o: 520-388-4445 c:520-282-0978

News Release
For Immediate Release, Oct. 18, 2013
Public Meeting October 23 at Loews Ventana Canyon About Restoring Bighorn Sheep to Santa Catalinas
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Coronado National Forest and an advisory committee of informed local stakeholders will conduct a final public information meeting Wednesday, Oct. 23, about a recommendation that the state reintroduce desert bighorn sheep to the Santa Catalina Mountains. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive.
The first 30 bighorn sheep are planned to be re-introduced Nov. 16 to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, with the overall goal of more than 100 animals after three consecutive years of transplants. The total figure includes anticipated lamb births, estimated yearling survival rates, and natural mortality.
The goal the Santa Catalina Bighorn Sheep Restoration Project is to restore a healthy, viable and self-sustaining population of desert bighorn sheep to the range that coexists with an equally healthy native predator population in a naturally functioning ecosystem.
The project dovetails with a larger, holistic restoration effort to mitigate human impacts, improve habitat in the Catalinas and return fire as a natural process necessary for proper habitat functioning.
The meeting will feature a panel discussion by members of the advisory committee, established in December 2012 and comprised of local representatives from the following organizations who are working closely with Arizona Game and Fish Department and Coronado National Forest personnel:
- Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society,
- The Wilderness Society,
- Sky Island Alliance,
- Arizona Wilderness Coalition,
- Center for Biological Diversity.
The reintroduced sheep will each be fitted with state-of-the-art satellite Global Positioning System collars that provide real time information about their location and any mortality events that may occur. This intensive monitoring effort will enable managers to make informed management decisions as information from collars becomes available.

This technology comes with a cost; currently the overall project cost is estimated at $600,000 over the next three years. A public and private fund raising effort is currently underway to secure necessary funding to complete the project. Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 520-628-5376 and tax deductible donations may be made at: http://adbss.org/catalina_donation.html. Information about the project may be found at www.catalinabighornrestoration.org
-30-
Mark A. Hart
Public information officer
Arizona Game and Fish Department
555 N. Greasewood Road
Tucson, AZ 85745
Office: (520) 388-4445
Cell: (520) 282-0978
E-mail: mhart@azgfd.gov
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    ArizonaHikers - Community Based Hiking Discussion Board Forum Index -> Events All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum