Pima NRCD Long Range Plan: 2005-2010

1. The Pima NRCD will continue its long term goal for the Restoration of the Altar Valley; it has worked closely in the past with the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance to achieve significant steps in erosion control and other aspects of rangeland management. It will continue to dedicate a substantial portion of its energies to complete recommendations contained in the Altar Valley Resource Assessment Study completed in 2000. In addressing these concerns it has applied for two grants to construct erosion control devices; additional grants are being sought to obtain the necessary matching funds. These efforts are in cooperation with the Alliance, NRCS, Pima County, AZ Game & Fish, AZ State Land & BLM. Sources of support are obtained through NRCS, EPA, ADEQ, AZ Water Protection Fund, AZ Dept of Agriculture & other sources. Approximately several million dollars will be needed to complete the necessary restorative work in the Valley.

2. The Pima NRCD is also striving to come up with solutions to the rampant trespassing on the ranches by OHVs and illegal immigrants. One possible solution to the OHV problem is to create a site dedicated to this type of recreational use. A dedicated site, Desert Wells, has just been developed outside Florence, AZ. The Pima NRCD, beginning April 26, 2005, will over the next several years attempt to develop a similar site south or southwest of Tucson in Pima County.

3. Youth Education: The Pima NRCD will continue to sponsor the Pima Center for Conservation Education; this unit is staffed by two part-time employees whose mission is to bring conservation education to the local schools, primarily the elementary grades. These individuals conduct classroom and field presentations at the request of local teachers; in addition they conduct demonstrations at various community activities, fairs etc. In most cases this involves using the “Rolling Rivers” trailer which permits a hands on approach to learning about erosion control. In addition, the Pima NRCD will continue to support the attendance of high school youth at the Natural Resource Conservation Workshop for Arizona Youth, sponsored by SRM.

4. The Pima NRCD will continue to provide its traditional role in convening local work groups in conjunction with the administration of various USDA programs; to work closely with those with whom they have working MOUs, the USFS & the NRCS, as well as any other organization concerned with the preservation of natural resources.

5. The Pima NRCD will continue to respond to natural catastrophes such as the Aspen Wildfire in the Catalinas, and conditions of drought & flooding as these precipitate natural disasters on private lands.

6. The Pima NRCD is a member of Zone 7 and continues to plan & host the regional meetings each year, attend the AACD meetings, and work closely with the RC&D in securing grants and participating in the Plant Book project etc.

7. The Pima NRCD also supports NRCS interns each year by participating in a scholarship program in conjunction with the U. of A.