SNRE Students Perform Trail Maintenance at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Nature Preserve
On Saturday, April 14, 2012, 11 graduate students from SNRE volunteered at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve in Patagonia, Arizona. The preserve contains one of the few permanently flowing streams in Arizona and is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the region. This beautiful riparian area attracts hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers who seek outdoor recreation. As a result, the trails require routine maintenance to keep them safe for visitors as well as plant and animal communities.
The SNRE volunteers collaborated with Matt Killeen of The Nature Conservancy to restore damaged areas along one of the upland trails. One area along a steep incline contained a sharp switchback with loose soil that was dangerous to maneuver on horseback. The volunteers decided to extend the trail and stabilize the sides of the trail with lumber and rebar. Another portion of the trail that is commonly used for mountain biking had visible signs of erosion and gully formation. Volunteers rebuilt the trail to incorporate curves that follow the nature contours of the land and reinforced the areas prone to erosion with rock check dams.
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