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Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon

Web Address Of FOCCC

https://www.friendsofcavecreekcanyon.com

Residents and visitors who want to help protect the area can do so by joining, volunteering, or contributing to the Friends of Cave Creek Canyon (FOCCC). As individuals, families, and businesses, we work closely with US Forest Service professionals to support the agency’s work and mission in Southeastern Arizona. We seek to provide educational opportunities for area residents, visitors, school groups, scientific researchers, and others who cherish the special qualities of our region.

FRIENDS OF CAVE CREEK CANYON

What We Are

We are a non-profit 503(c)(3) organization, chartered in 2011. All contributions to the FOCCC are tax deductible. We are an all volunteer organization and all donations and membership fees received are used to advance the mission of FOCCC.

Who We Are

We are individuals, families, and businesses. We are mostly from the Rodeo,NM, and Portal, AZ, area, but have members from Lordsburg, San Simon, Douglas and Sierra Vista.

Our Mission

To inspire appreciation and understanding of the beauty, biodiversity and legacy of Cave Creek Canyon.

What We Do

We work closely with Coronado National Forest to support their work and mission in Southeast Arizona.

We seek to provide educational opportunities for area residents, visitors, school groups, scientific researchers and others who cherish the special qualities of our region.

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Reed Peters - Our First President

OFFICERS

President: Reed Peters Vice Presidents: Sheri Ashley

Secretary: Pat Parran Treasurer:Rick Beno

For a list of Business Members, Lifetime Members and The Sustainers Circle, Visit the FCCC Web Site at:

https://www.friendsofcavecreekcanyon.com/who-we-are/board-of-directors-business-sustaining-lifetime-members/

SUPPORT THE FRIENDS

The FOCCC is an all-volunteer organization. We have no paid staff or office space.

Volunteer

To volunteer, send us an email using the form on the Contact Us page. FOCCC has many volunteer opportunities. Tell us about your interests and skills.

Become a Member or Donate

Funds to support FOCCC come from memberships, donations, and the sale of our book. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and donations and memberships may be tax deductible.

Please help us preserve the beauty and diversity of Cave Creek Canyon by becoming a member of FOCCC or by donating today. Download the Membership/Donation Form and send your contribution to FOCCC, PO Box 16126, Portal, AZ 85632.

There are membership levels for every budget:

Make checks or money orders payable to Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon and mail to: Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon - P.O. Box 16126, Portal AZ u85632

Willow Tank - Helping A Critical Wildlife Sanctuary

by Alan Craig

It is owned by the Larry River's family and we owe a big thankyou to them for their extensive financial and physical help inkeeping this vital water source open.

It is critical tokeep water in Willow Tank to provide wildlife habitat. One would have to camp outat the tank to fully appreciate how many birds, bats and critters use the water at WT, let alone the food and cover the vegetation provides. During the 2+ months ofSpring migration and a much longer period during Fall migration, those birds that migrate by day may stop only briefly for a drink or to grab a few insects before continuing out of sight en route to their nesting or wintering grounds.

A few days ago there were 4White-faced Ibis feeding on the pond along with a pair of Mexican Ducks.

Willow Tank is open to bird watchers. There is water onlyin the deep end now as the banks and reinforcing is completed. There will be multiple viewing stations and stairs, which will be completed in the next month or so, followed by the refilling. (Cecil Williams)

Check it out!

WT is on Sulphur Canyon Rd. west off of Stateline Road just as Stateline intersects U.S. 80.

Friends of Cave Creek Canyon strongly believes in preserving and improving this valuable resource. We have made a sizeable donation and encourage you to also help. For more information, contact Alan Craig at 520-558-2220 or acraig@me.com

FOCCC at work in the Canyon!

by Dinah Davidson

Thirteen energetic FOCCC volunteers and one well-behaved doggie turned out to pull invasive horehound on Saturday morning, 07 February. Donning gloves, and deploying various tools, they made short work of a large horehound patch near the first bench along the Nature Trail above the Silver Peak pullout. The group then moved to the Sunny Flat Campground where, starting at the bridge, great progress was made in removing the species on both sides of the road and in as far as the central 'plaza'. (Special thanks go to those working beneath prickly catclaw!) Plants with seeds were placed in bags deposited at the USFS station, and those lacking seeds were left to replenish soil nutrients.

Event organizers Dinah Davidson and Barbara Miller would like to thank the following participants for their enthusiasm and congenial company as a pleasant time was had by all: Al Bammann, Laura Caron, Larry Johnson, Rolf Koford, Juliet Krenshaw, Elaine Moisan, Linda Pretty, Loren Smith, Sarah and Keith Thomson, and Lorraine Titus. Barb and Pete Miller provided water and snacks. Counting participation by Barb and Dinah, the Friends group contributed 39 hours of volunteer service to the USFS.

Science For Seniors - April 22

Two FOCCC volunteers share the spotlight this month. Drs. Bonnie Bowen and Rolf Koford, better known as Bonnie and Rolf, first lived in Portal in 1983-85 while conducting research on Mexican Jays. In the early 1990s, they made a plan to retire here to enjoy the stunning natural world and the strong community. They fulfilled their plan and retired to Portal in 2014. You might think the flood that autumn, in the aftermath of Hurricane Odile, would have made them think twice about their decision. On the contrary, the response to the flood illus- trated perfectly one of the main reasons they had chosen Portal: the community. Neighbors reached out to assist neighbors, Portalites sought ways to connect to the Research Station, which was cut off for days, and so on. Going the extra mile for each other was (and is) just what this community does So, by volunteering for FOCCC, they were just fitting in as new

members of the community. Rolf's main activity on the FOCCC Board of Directors is managing the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center (VIC). After an overlap with the previous manager, Mike Williams, Rolf assumed the title when Mike stepped down. These days, management is a team effort, with Bonnie, Mike Davis, and Andy Davis. Rolf oversees personnel and recruitment, ordering merchandise, contact with the Forest Service, and coordinating VIC use with others. His main duty, though, is to make sure visitors feel welcome and receive the information they need In a typical year, about 12,000 visitors walk through the door. Thanks to the VIC hosts, most of whom have previous VIC experience and spend 1-3 months living in their RVs and volunteering at the VIC, about 12,000 happy visitors walk out. In addition to managing the VIC, Rolf is actively involved with out-of-town visitors and other Portal residents who help main-tain hiking trails. Bonnie works with Rolf and VIC hosts to provide supplies at the VIC. She also helps maintain the schedule of VIC hosts and welcomes them to our community. In addition to her work with the VIC, Bonnie is the webmaster for the FOCCC website, friendsofcavecreekcanyon.com, and one of the editors for the

FOCCC Facebook page.

Both Bonnie and Rolf are active in other community activities in Portal, including Portal Rescue (radio operators (B&R), firefighter (R), and ambulance driver (R)), Sew What Scholar- ship Committee chair (B), Portal-Rodeo Community Phone

Book editor (B), and Christmas Bird Count organizing team (B).

Portal, AZ - Rodeo, NM