National Public Lands Day on Coronado National Forest - Fees waived, events at Madera Canyon, Sabino Canyon

Release Date: Sep 20, 2016

Tucson, AZ, Date, September 20, 2016—For Immediate Release.  The Coronado National Forest (Coronado NF) is proud to participate in National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands on Saturday, September 24, 2016.  Most day-use fees across the Forest will be waived, and events will take place in Madera and Sabino canyons.

In Madera Canyon, on the Nogales Ranger District, volunteers will partner with Borderlands Restoration, Friends of Madera Canyon, Sky Island Alliance, and the Coronado National Forest to enhance natural conditions near newly-constructed bridges.  The project is designed to prevent erosion from the construction site into Madera Creek, and to re-establish native vegetation on the site.  Participants will install native plants, build simple rock structures to slow the flow of water across the site (providing optimal locations for plants), water plants installed last year and remove non-native plants.

Volunteers are needed and are asked to meet at 8:00 at the large parking lot at the top of Madera Canyon.    Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, layered clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and to bring sunscreen, water and snacks.  Gloves, tools and materials will be provided.

In Sabino Canyon, on the Santa Catalina Ranger District, a two-hour family nature walk will leave the canyon at 10:00 a.m. for Sabino Dam where participants may enjoy the stream or pan for garnets.

Volunteers are needed from 8:00 a.m. to noon to assist in removing non-native grasses in Sabino Canyon. The work will aid in restoration of the area to a more natural setting and reduce competition between native and non-native, invasive plants for limited resources such as moisture and soil nutrients.  Participants should meet at 8:00 at the Visitor Center ramadas.  Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, layered clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and to bring sunscreen, water and snacks.  Tools, gloves and trash bags will be supplied by the Forest.  Please RSVP to sabinostewards@gmail.com .

In celebration of National Public Lands Day, fees will be waived at most day-use sites on the Forest.  The fee-free program is managed in cooperation with other federal land management agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Fees are waived generally for day-use areas, such as picnic grounds, developed trailheads and destination visitor centers. Concessionaire-operated sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.

Visitors to the Coronado National Forest are encouraged to contact the appropriate ranger district office to determine which recreation sites will have fees waived, and at which sites concessionaires will charge fees.

•   Douglas Ranger District - (520) 364-3468

•   Nogales Ranger District - (520) 281-2296

•   Sierra Vista Ranger District - (520) 378-0311

•   Safford Ranger District - (928) 428-4150

•   Santa Catalina Ranger District - (520) 749-8700

NPLD began in 1994 with three sites and 700 volunteers. It proved to be a huge success and became a yearly tradition, typically held on the last Saturday in September. Since the first NPLD, the event has grown by leaps and bounds.

NPLD educates Americans about the environment and natural resources, and the need for shared stewardship of these valued, irreplaceable lands; builds partnerships between the public sector and the local community based upon mutual interests in the enhancement and restoration of America's public lands; and improves public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work.