Tucson Audubon Society- Simpson Farm
By: Anahi Bojorquez
Khushartini Kamarulzaman
The riparian restoration site of the Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) is a farm land named Simpson Farm. This site experiences a wide annual range of temperatures. The hottest temperature they had last year was of 120 F during the summer and the coolest was 16 F in late December. The site is located on both sides of the Santa Cruz River just to the West of the Trico Rd. Bridge, which is about two miles to the south of the entrance to the Pinal Air Park. This project started about three years ago with the support of the Arizona Water Protection Fund and the U.S. Corps of Engineers. In cooperation with the City of Tucson, the society is trying to improve the wildlife riparian habitat that was born because of the Santa Cruz River. The Santa Cruz River is generally a dry platform for long periods of time but, it can become a rampaging flood after heavy rains. Until the late nineteenth century, the Santa Cruz River was a flowing and active watercourse that served the region's agricultural needs. As the area became a rapidly increasing industrial society, they began to tap the river's underground flow. As late as the 1940’s, there was a lot of riparian vegetation growing along the bank, but now 40 years later, it has gotten drier and wider.
Historically, this part of the Santa Cruz River, where the Tucson Audubon Society is trying to restore, would have only held flowing water briefly during floods, but today it is not generally a flooded area. Exceptions were the two big floods that occurred in 1983 and 1993. To help prevent damage similar to that of the last flood, earth dividers about 20-30 feet high, were built on both sides of the river, for about a mile long. The total area covers 1700 acres and is now fenced off to prevent cattle grazing. TAS is attempting to restore and reestablish the native vegetation on adjacent abandoned farm fields. Moreover, they try mapping out different sectors and determine what factors that may affect the vegetation. In this area, dead trees and parts of trees are placed around the site to provide perches for wild birds, which are being encouraged to come to the site. Since the area is close to the river, it is really dynamic. For this reason they have decided to plant vegetation near the river. Mesquite Bosque, Paloverde, Arizona Ash and Black Walnut are some of the many trees that are being planted along the river.
The Santa Cruz River has undergone many changes the last couple of years. What seemed to be a very vibrant river has now become a dry land with few natural resources. The river used to be an attraction to many, due to the water it carried and the vegetation that existed. Unfortunately the immense use of water by farmers and people has lowered the water table and has consequently caused the river to vanish. This has caused the land to become dryer and dryer each year that goes by.
Tucson’s Audubon Society has been working in restoring the habitat that used to exist along the Santa Cruz River. In order to do this they have what they call “Pole Planting Volunteer Day” as well as “Plant a tree help a bird” in which people from the community can volunteer and make a change in the site. One of the organization’s concerns is the disappearance of animals, such as birds, which have departed due to the lack of water, food and habitat, which has been taken away by houses and human construction. For this reason all of the programs that exist today are helping the restoration of the location.
The main goal of the Tucson’s Audubon Society is to reconstruct the area and bring animals to the place again. Even though this is not an easy job, they are hoping that with the help of community and funding they will be able to not only repair the area, but create a nice place for people to enjoy. In a near future the area is expected to have a variety of trees, plants and animals that can co-exist peacefully. It is also expected to be a place of attraction for many and be protected against construction and other things that might terminate with the wildlife and vegetation.
All of the different projects that are being formulated by the Tucson Audubon Society are done with the mentality of helping the community as well as the many lost species that used to inhabit the zone. For this reason it is important to understand and appreciate the work that is being done to have a more attractive, beautiful and essential area for the people living here. Unfortunately as human beings we forget the importance of water and nature and we take it for granted until we realize how much we depend on it.
Simpson Farm (March 4, 2004)