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The CIENEGA OUTLOOK October 2014
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Fall Matching Campaign
Support CWP Youth Programs
Can you help out?
CWP needs $1200 to double the $1200 received in September from the Bureau of Land Management to support youth programs at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Connecting young people to the resources which they will manage in the future is essential to sustaining the Cienega Watershed.
You already know what an impact these youth are having on the watershed but if you missed Arizona Illustrated in September on the Youth Engaged Stewardship (YES!) program, have a look at this great video from Arizona Public Media: The New Keepers https://originals.azpm.org/arizonaillustrated/
Imagine how we can expand this work. What we need is to some assistance to keep this program going, coordinate with teachers, apply for grants, and sustain these activities. A little coordination money will go a long way. Can you help?
With your continued help, we will:
- Add curriculum and resources for teachers and others on our web site www.cienega.org under Educational Opportunities at Las Cienegas NCA including making teachers aware of current educational resources
- Develop applications to fund YES! 2015 and to sustain activities beyond summer
- Expand opportunities for youth engagement in restoration, monitoring, and meaningful experiences in natural and cultural resources in the watershed.
How can I help you ask? Simple. Please renew your membership or donate now by going on www.cienega.org and selecting DONATE NOW. That will allow you to safely renew at whatever level of giving/membership that you choose.
DONATE NOW!
This just in! You can also contribute to this important CWP program on Crowdrise (via Network for Good). Go to:
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This is a great way to help us campaign by setting your own fundraising goals and sharing via social media with your friends. Will you help us crowd-source this program? Visit the page to see the impact each donation level makes.
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We thank you for supporting our programs in the watershed. ----Board of Directors
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Restoration Practices Do Save Our Soil
Chris In-Albon (Empire High School, YES! and CWP Board)
YES! students this past July took on the challenge of improving an area in Las Cienegas that was plagued with erosion problems. Sacaton grass used to fill the area, but in recent years had eroded back leaving dry stumps of sacaton and poor soil. Without the grasses to soak up seasonal rains, soil washed away and became hard packed. Working with scientists from the University of Arizona and the Nature Conservancy, students came up with a plan to build natural structures to stabilize and retain soil, water and potential grass seed. Using 5 tons of rocks and downed mesquite branches, students created a series of x's and o's hoping to secure the soil, water and seed. Timing was perfect with their restoration efforts completed in time to benefit from our incredible monsoon season.  
In July (above photos), structures were placed by students in the bare earth sacaton areas. After the monsoon rain, plants are dense and soil mounds up around individual plants.
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Living and Learning in the Watershed
Do you know that 35 videos for the Cienega Watershed are available on YouTube? Go to: https://www.youtube.com/user/CienegaWatershed.
What's on these videos?
- Science on the Sonoita Plain presentations for 2010, 2011 and 2014 on mesquite management, local fauna and plants, climate change, paleontology, history and other topics of local interests
- The Share History Timeline with individuals providing their experiences in a 9-part series from 2012
- The Youth Engaged Stewardship activities including Volunteer Day events and coverage by Arizona Public Media
- Dennis and the Sonoran Frog at Cieneguita Wetlands 2014 and the FROG Project 2011
- Civano Student Art and other topics
What you can do?
These videos provide baseline information on the watershed which is a great foundation to build on for your specific interests. Go on www.cienega.org to obtain more information. Under "Educational Opportunities" web page (on the left menu), you will find more resource information on the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.
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Sign-On 
Sign on to support the EPA to uphold the Clean Water Act protections of the Waters of the US including our desert intermittent and ephemeral rivers and wetlands, which in the arid west have disproportionate value to wildlife and ecosystem services to humans. Make sure to mention that Cienega Creek, one of the last lowland perennial creeks in southern Arizona with valuable ephemeral and intermittent reaches.
Want to learn more about the Waters of the US Proposed Rule? Determining when the Clean Water Act protected streams and wetlands became confusing and complex following Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. This rule proposes to clarify protections. Ditches and agricultural lands are excluded from jurisdiction. Submit formal comments until November 14, 2014.
Take Action to protect our community and water from irresponsible mining.
Tell your member of Congress to support 1872 Mining Law Reform. Make sure to mention Cienega Creek and Rosemont to put this on the national radar. And if Raul Grijalva is your congressman--thank him for introducing the mining reform.
Sign the petition by Save the Scenic Santa Ritas - Petitioning the White House and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the Santa Rita Mountains in AZ from the proposed Rosemont Mine
Please share!
If you use social media, such as Twitter or Facebook, we encourage you to use #SaveCienega on your relevant posts that celebrate and sustain the rich landscape.
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| Artful Ways to Share Understanding
Share you connections.
Send a poem, drawing or photograph that represents your visit to the watershed.
These sketches and poems were made by participants who joined one the Cienega Art Walks offered through our CWP last Spring co-led by CWP Board Member Mead Mier and Axhel Munez of Pima County Parks and Natural Resources. This artwork reflected the sites, sounds and sensations we encountered on the Gave Zimmerman trail at Davidson Canyon. Thanks for joining Day (age 10, horse and hummingbird drawings), Bob (bridge with poem, age 72), and Jenni, Olive, Sandy, Malin and Wright (a collaborative poem)!
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ABOUT US
Cienega means 'wetlands'. In a desert landscape where most riparian areas are threatened, we work to preserve the Cienega Creek watershed into perpetuity.
Our mission is to keep this cool desert respite - a home for significant natural and cultural resources - as a legacy for our children and their children. CWP works with all stakeholders who can impact the sustainability of the ecosytems.
Visit our website at cienega.org for the latest updates on the Youth Engaged Stewardship summer projects, videos form the Science on the Sonoita Plains, and Forest Service response to CWP objections to the proposed mine in the Santa Ritas.
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THANKS RECENT DONORS:
Larry Fisher
Thomas Meixner
Elkhorn Ranch
Dennis Caldwell
Dino and Elizabeth Murfee DeConcini
Mead Mier
Shela McFarlin
and raffle ticket purchasers!
UPCOMING DATES: Colossal Cave's Halloween Howl
Oct. 26, 27 & 28
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Ghost Cave Tours,
Haunted Ranch Hayrides, Thrilling Maze, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo. RESERVATIONS (required only for tours and rides) Audubon's Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch: The Living Gently on the Land Potluck and Presentation Educational Series takes place each 2nd Saturday from September -May, . RSVP Empire Ranch Foundation annual Round-Up at the Empire Ranch Headquarters
November 1
empireranchfound
ation.org |
Cienega Watershed Partnership Dates:
Wall of Honor nominations close Nov 21
Nomination Form
State of the Watershed Workshop Dec 3 or 4 in Tucson more info coming Annual Meeting and ReceptionPencil in the Date! February 7 at Civano in Tucson
[same location as 2014 event]
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CWP BOARD MEMBERS:
Martie Maierhauser, Chairman
David Scalero
Shela McFarlin
Mead Mier
Larry Fisher
Kelly Mott Lacroix
Thomas Meixner
Chistine In-Albon
CWP ADVISORY BOARD:
Dennis Caldwell
Arlan Colton
Mac Donaldson
Julia Fonseca
Trevor Hare
Travis Huxman
Laura Lopez-Hoffman
Lynsey Miller
Dan Robinette
Jennifer Ruyle
Bill Savary
Karen Simms
Steven Strom
Beth Sullivan
Ian Tomlinson
Jeff Williamson
plus many PARTNERS
including you!
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Cienega Watershed Partnership
928-362-0864
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