Conservation

CONSERVATION: THE ALTAR VALLEY

ARTICLE BY SARAH KING

The Alliance’s work over the last few decades has focused on conceptual planning efforts, as well as on-the-ground projects.

Next Generation

©Sarah King

Back in 1995, when ranchers talked about the future of the Altar Valley (located southwest of Tucson, Arizona), the chances of keeping the valley open for agriculture in the next generation seemed slim. Development pressures loomed as Tucson sprawled outward. Ranchers wanted to improve brush management and engage in on-theground erosion control work, but resource management within the valley was often paralyzed by conflict.

Neighbors talked amongst themselves about their hopes for the Altar Valley, and knew that they had to take action. Folks had heard about the recently formed Malpai Borderlands Group in the Douglas, Arizona area. The Malpai ranchers, driven by similar concerns about the health and open space future of the landscape, had begun regularly meeting, along with scientists and environmentalists. They felt that the “dig in your heels” approach seemed doomed to fail, and decided to reach out to their critics and find common ground.

The Altar Valley ranchers invited their Malpai friends over for a visit, and asked them to share more about what they were doing to move beyond conflict and toward action. The Malpai vision was inspiring, and their methods of pursing common ground were convincing. It seemed that the concept of a collaborative conservation group could be adapted to the Altar Valley needs.

©Sarah King

These conversations provided the rich soil from which the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance sprouted. From the beginning, the newly formed alliance of agricultural neighbors reached out to land and resource agencies with responsibilities in the watershed. People gradually became acquainted, found common ground, and worked to respect differences. Finally, these concerned parties agreed to take on collaborative watershed projects to protect the land and lifestyles they loved.

The Alliance’s work over the last few decades has focused on conceptual planning efforts, as well as on-the-ground projects. The ambitious Altar Valley Watershed Resource Assessment, one of the first projects, was completed in 2000. The project, which was funded by an Arizona Water Protection Fund grant, laid the foundation for the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance's conservation programs. The premise of the assessment was to recommend future activities based on an integrated evaluation of land use history and watershed resource condition. Concurrently, the Alliance worked with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to bring a consortium of cooperating agencies and organizations together to create the Altar Valley Fire Management Plan. This was a landmark plan designed to allow for the re-introduction of fire as a functioning component of the ecosystem within the planning area, after policies in the 20th century had decreased its presence on the landscape.

While large-scale planning is essential, the Alliance has found that engaging partners on relatively small-scale projects on the landscape is critical to success. Over the years, the Alliance has hosted workshops in the Altar Valley dedicated to remedying erosion via dirt road maintenance and low-tech erosion control techniques. In 2010 and 2012, the Alliance received multi-year grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Under those grants, the Alliance and partners created seven conservation action sites in the Altar Valley that have some combination of prescribed fire and erosion control measures.

Spring 2018 Field Visit

©Sarah King

To date, the Alliance’s largest restoration effort is the Elkhorn/Las Delicias Watershed Restoration Demonstration Project. It was funded by a generous grant from Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation, along with support from many Altar Valley Conservation Alliance partners. The 1,500-acre project site sits on the fence line of two ranches and was installed in January 2012. It showcases low-tech watershed restoration practices in ephemeral arroyos, tributaries, and associated uplands in a flash flood dominated landscape of the Altar Valley. Today, the Alliance is leading an effort to create a valley-wide plan that will facilitate on-the-ground projects in the years to come. This planning effort is funded by a 2-year $100,000 grant from Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART program. The Alliance and partners will develop a watershed management plan focused on two large watershed issues: channel incisement/erosion and mesquite encroachment. The plan is not just conceptual – it will also include project profiles for 15-20 high-priority on-theground projects.

Back in 1995, none of the Altar Valley ranchers foresaw how AVCA would grow over the years. By rallying individuals around the simple vision of conserving the Altar Valley for future generations, Altar Valley ranchers have transcended late 20th century conflict between grazing and environmental protection. Cowboys and conservationists have joined forces to create 21st century history that celebrates and practices the best of the old and new ways of taking care of land, wildlife, and people.

©Sarah King