Maricopa County

Events

 

Desert Defenders - Spur Cross - Invasive Pull

Tuesday, March 30, 2021
07:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
44000 N. Spur Cross Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331

(602) 506-2930 ext 8

Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our park’s ecosystem health. They outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity and increase wildfire occurrences and magnitude. Join the new Desert Defenders program to help us find and remove these plants! 

January-February Dominant Species removed Sahara Mustard and London Rocket

March-April Dominant Species removed Stinknet, Malta star thistle, Russian thistle and cool season grasses.

Desert Defenders is a citizen science program focused on finding, mapping and removing invasive species at Maricopa County Parks. The Invasive plant species that we will be mapping and/or removing are the dominant invasive species that have severely impacted our parks natural ecosystems, and a most are a wildfire. The data collected through the mapping work and the invasive species removal efforts will help reduce the invasive plants and reduce wildfire potential within the parks. The Desert Defenders is crucial for park staff and land managers to protect the desert parks we all love.

Please join us at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area on Tuesday,  March 30, 2021:

Invasive Species Weed Pulls; Include physically removing invasive plants by pulling, bagging and disposing. Please bring gloves, hand tool such as weed digger or screwdriver can be helpful (depends on species and recent precipitation) bring water, snack and dress appropriately for working around desert plants (spiny plants) in long sleeve shirt, pants and closed toed shoes. 

Please check in at the parking lot at 7:00 am.  We will hold a brief Safety briefing prior to starting.  

COVID-19:  Adhere to state covid protocols including wearing a masks when within 6 ft of others, social distance and we will be grouping ten person per leader to avoid overcrowding, so there may be some email communications the day before the event that direct you to different meeting location within the park that is scheduled. 

To register, please clock on the link https://signup.com/go/gEBvKsQ

 
 

Phone: 602-506-2930

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