SONORAN CONSERVANCY OF FOUNTAIN HILLS NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2021 |
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In this issue: - Our newsletter has a new name; Community Services recognition
- New Stargazing hikes and lineup of fall activities
- We Need Your Help – Calling for Trailhead Hosts and Stewards
- Trail maintenance begins
- FH Desert Botanical Garden involvement encouraged
- Did You Know? Clarifying roles of MMPC and SCFH
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New and Newsworthy: - The SCFH newsletter has a new name: News and Views, which was submitted by Barb Grier. Thanks to Barb and all of our readers who submitted ideas! We will begin using our new name next month.
- Fountain Hills’ Community Services Department was recognized as National Finalist by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. Here is a link to the five-minute video submission that Rachael Goodwin and the Community Services team created to reflect the outstanding work the group performs and their contribution to making Fountain Hills a great place to live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9XQf1hxEpg
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Hikes, Walk and Talks, and Special Programs Our slate of fall hikes and programs are available now! Check out all the SCFH activities through the end of the year and click-through to register at https://www.scfh.org/events. Please, no dogs at SCFH events. New this season are two Stargazing Hikes with Vicky Derksen in the McDowell Mountain Preserve on Sat., Nov. 13 and Fri., Dec. 10 under the bright First Quarter Moon. And the local Star Dudes will have telescope viewing for close-up looks at Jupiter and Saturn! - Full Moon Hike with Ranger Amy on Fri., Oct. 22
- Hike Holy Hill to the Vortex in the Superstition Mountains on Fri., Nov. 5
- Hike to Agua Fria National Monument’s Baby Canyon Ruins on Fri., Nov. 12
- Bird Watching around Fountain Park on Wed., Nov. 17
- Walk off the Turkey on Fri., Nov. 26
The Town’s November Hiking Challenge is returning for a second year with interesting hikes in and around the McDowell Mountain Preserve designed to appeal to most outdoor enthusiasts. Register at https://fh.az.gov/724/Fountain-Hills-Hiking-Challenge.com |
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We need your help - Trailhead Hosts and Stewards needed!! Our Trailhead Host program is kicking off at the Adero Canyon Trailhead on Oct. 16. Our hiking program begins on Nov. 5. We need more volunteers to ensure these programs are a success. The next Trailhead Host training will be on Nov. 3 at 8 am. Hosts are posted at the Adero Canyon Trailhead and assist visitors with choosing trails, ensuring dogs are on leash, helping with any emergencies, etc. Stewards assist our hike leaders. A steward orientation will be held on Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. Both sessions will be at the Adero Canyon Trailhead. If interested in attending or learning more, please send an email to contactSCFH@gmail.com. |
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Trail maintenance has started! Trail Stewards have been in action this month. Stewards hike an assigned trail and perform light maintenance where needed: trimming overgrowth, eliminating rocks on the trail, cleaning water outlets, etc. When heavier maintenance is needed, appropriate crews will be assigned. With the heavy rains lately, a significant amount of heavier maintenance is needed on our trail system. When the Trailblazer season starts in November, maintenance on all trails will be addressed first. Once maintenance has been completed, work will continue on the new Lower Ridgeline Trail with its completion and opening projected for the first part of 2022. Signage for this trail is in the works and will be placed when ready. |
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Botanical Garden Update Interested in learning more about the garden and joining our group? Monthly meetings for the ’21/’22 season will be on the third Thursday of the month from October through April at 10am at the Community Center. At the Oct. 21 meeting there will be discussion about participation in the Spooky Blast on Sat., Oct. 30. The Garden has been drying out since the end of the monsoon season but there are still many blooming Desert Senna visible. |
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Did you Know? Clarifying the roles of MMPC and SCFH Both the McDowell Mountain Preserve Commission (MMPC) and the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills (SCFH) are dedicated to the McDowell Mountain Preserve and other open spaces in Fountain Hills . Their goals are similar, but they perform different functions. MMPC was originally formed by the Town of Fountain Hills to oversee the construction of the Adero Canyon Trailhead. The Commission has seven members appointed by the Town Council. Today, MMPC is charged with maintaining the existing, undisturbed desert landscape of the Preserve, providing regulations to protect wildlife habitat and limiting human encroachment. It recommends use regulations for the Adero Canyon and Golden Eagle Trailheads and provides for the development of the trail system within the Preserve. SCFH is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) organization. It supports MMPC and the Town’s plan for the operation and maintenance of the Preserve and other open spaces in Fountain Hills. It also provides recreational and educational opportunities for the public. SCFH has four primary programs, no paid staff, more than 100 unpaid volunteers who manage the work, and over 400 subscribers: - Trailblazers - who maintain and build trails
- Hiking and interpretative programs organized and led by Stewards for the public
- Trailhead Hosts - who assist visitors at the Adero Canyon Trailhead
- Desert Botanical Garden - members maintain the trails and vegetation within the Garden and provide educational programs to the public
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