AJO — The Arizona Antelope Foundation (AAF), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and Arizona Game and Fish Department, is seeking volunteers for a fence construction project on Saturday, January 27, on BLM land in southern Arizona, about 18 miles northeast of Ajo.
The project involves building a new fence around a seasonally filled earthen livestock water tank. Presently, when the tank is full it attracts feral cattle and horses from nearby reservation lands onto the western edge of the Sonoran pronghorn habitat. The fence project will permit access to the water by all wildlife but prevent access by trespass feral livestock.
This project, located on the eastern boundary of historic endangered pronghorn habitat, is part of BLM’s long-term plan of removing up to 54 miles of unneeded livestock fence in this zone to make it more attractive to Sonoran pronghorn.
Volunteers should plan to meet at 7 a.m. on January 27 at the AAF campsite, located on BLM lands about 9 miles east of the Pipeline Road and SR85 intersection. Directions: From Gila Bend, drive 43 miles south on SR85 to Ajo. Once you reach the plaza in the middle of Ajo, continue on SR85 for 1.85 miles to Pipeline Road. Turn left onto Pipeline Road and travel approximately 9 miles east to the campsite. The project site is approximately another 9 miles northeast on the Pipeline Road. Access to the site is along a maintained travel corridor route. There will be some wash crossings, but the road should be trailer friendly.
The Arizona Antelope Foundation will provide volunteers with dinners Friday and Saturday nights, as well as continental breakfasts Saturday and Sunday mornings. Bring your own lunch to eat in the field Saturday.
Volunteers also should bring work gloves (AAF will have a limited supply), snacks, water, and personal gear.
If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by January 22 by e-mail to info@azantelope.org so AAF can plan on having enough food and tools on hand. If you have questions or would like more information about the project, contact Glen Dickens at (520) 247-4907. For a printer-friendly map to the campsite, visit www.azantelope.org.