Volunteers needed for wildlife habitat project

The Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and U.S. Forest Service are conducting a volunteer work project the weekend of July 14-15 in Game Management Unit 5A, in the Coconino National Forest northeast of Payson. This is a unique area with high wildlife value and is home to elk, turkeys, bears, songbirds, native fish and a host of other important wildlife species.

Many of the area's meadows and associated riparian areas are becoming overrun with young pine trees. Unless the pine trees are removed, the meadows will be entirely overrun in time, and the important water storage role the meadows have will be lost.

In a cooperative venture, volunteers are invited to assist other volunteers from the Arizona Elk Society and personnel from Game and Fish and the Forest Service with cutting these young pine trees down, lopping the limbs off, and stacking them into piles so they can be burned by the Forest Service when dried.

Due to the remote location, it is suggested that volunteers come up on Friday and camp. The Arizona Elk Society will provide meals for participants on Friday night (dinner), Saturday (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and Sunday (breakfast and lunch).

Please bring gloves, long-sleeve shirts, hats, sunscreen, safety glasses and handsaws if you have them. Some items will be provided. Be prepared for cool mornings and rain. Old clothes are recommended.

This year’s camp is located in Game Management Unit 5A. Take Highway 87 to milepost 299.8, which is just northeast of the Blue Ridge Ranger Station. Turn south onto Forest Road (FR) 95 and go about 8.5 miles. Turn left onto FR 139 and proceed about 3.8 miles, then turn right on FR 139G. The campsite is about 200 yards from the intersection. A map can be found at www.arizonaelksociety.org. This is primitive camping, however, port-a-johns and wash stations will be on site. Space is available for vehicle, tent and RV camping.

If you would like to volunteer, please RSVP at www.arizonaelksociety.org so the Arizona Elk Society can plan meals. For more information, contact Tom Schorr with the Arizona Elk Society at Tomschorr@arizonaelksociety.org or Troy Christensen with the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (623) 236-7492 or tchristensen@azgfd.gov.