Arizona Riparian Council
Fall Campout Meeting at
Audubon Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch
October 3-4, 2009 – Saturday & Sunday

Please join us at the Arizona Riparian Council's Fall Meeting. This year's meeting will be at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of the National Audubon Society, which is located about an hour south of Tucson near Elgin, Arizona. On Saturday afternoon, we will learn about the restoration techniques that have been implemented on the ranch. On Sunday morning we will learn about some of the monitoring projects that are occurring on Turkey Creek, O'Donnell Creek and the Babacomari River during a hike through these riparian systems.

Linda Kennedy, Director of the Research Ranch, will give us a history of the Ranch as well as an overview of some of the research and restoration projects that have been done. Ron Tiller will talk about sacaton grasslands, their importance, and how to manage to enhance them. After the speakers we will have some free time to explore. The Council will provide dinner Saturday night. Please provide your own lunches (Sat/Sun) and breakfast Sunday morning.

The Research Ranch is a sanctuary for native plants and animals encompasses nearly 7000 acres of semi-arid grassland and related ecosystems, which support 22 species of conservation concern. Partially owned by the National Audubon Society and recognized as an Important Bird Area, the sanctuary has remained ungrazed by domestic livestock since 1969 and has been protected within a larger ecosystem under pressure from continued growth of the human population.

Please indicate on the registration form if you want a veggie meal. A $15/adult and $10/child fee (children under 10 are free) should be mailed to Cindy Zisner for you and your family – kids are definitely invited, however, there is a NO PETS policy so you will have to leave your four-footed kids at home. We need to know how many people to plan for so please register by Friday, September 25.

Please make your check payable to the Arizona Riparian Council. You may pay online through Paypal, but there is an additional $0.75 charge. Please indicate on the registration form if you have paid through Paypal. If you are using the PayPal option please still submit the registration form electronically. For those using a check please submit the form electronically and send by mail your check.

Time to Meet

1:00 pm at the Research Ranch. Map to Research Ranch. Meeting Agenda.

What to Bring

Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag), folding chair, river shoes (if you wade into the river), water to drink. There is water available for washing. Bring food for breakfast and lunch for Sunday. We anticipate the day-time and night-time temperatures at this time to still be potentially warm. Bring plenty of water to drink.

ARC will Provide

Drinks and dinner Saturday night. Restrooms will be available near the camp site.