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Summit 2007

On February 9, 2007, over 120 federal, state, local and community representatives met to chart a new plan to respond to the buffelgrass threat.   This webpage is a result of that Summit.

BUFFELGRASS SUMMIT
Friday, February 9, 2007
Starr Pass JW Marriott
Tucson, AZ

AGENDA

8:00 a.m.	Registration
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	General Session, Arizona Ballroom, Salon 6
9:00 a.m.	Introduction: Vision and Objectives Kerry Baldwin, Natural Resources Manager, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation (NRPR)
9:10 a.m.	Overview of Buffelgrass Invasion & Progress Report on Control Efforts Julio Betancourt, Senior Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Desert Laboratory
9:40 a.m.	Mapping and Decision Support Aaryn Olsson, Senior Research Specialist, Office of Arid Lands Studies and Arizona Remote Sensing Center, University of Arizona
10:10 a.m.	A Primer on Treatment Strategies Travis Bean, Research Specialist, Desert Laboratory and School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona
10:40 a.m.	Break
10:55 a.m.	State, County & Local Perspectives Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford, District 27, Arizona State Legislature Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator, Pima County Leslie Liberti, Director, Office of Conservation & Sustainable Development, City of Tucson John Caravetta, Associate Director, Arizona Department of Agriculture
11:25 a.m.	Organization and Instructions for Breakouts Ann Phillips, Environmental Projects Coordinator, Office of Conservation & Sustainable Development, City of Tucson
11:35 a.m.	Sense of the Summit Resolution Dennis Dickerson, Environmental Planning Coordinator, Pima Association of Governments
11:40 a.m.	Question and Answer Session, Kerry Baldwin
12:00 p.m.	Lunch, Arizona Ballrooms 1-5 (provided)
1:00 p.m.	Breakout Groups on Ania Terrace or Ballroom, depending on weather Breakout Groups Breakout Group Team Leaders Public Sector Coordination Dennis Dickerson, PAG Private Sector Coordination Kerry Baldwin, Pima County NRPR Community Coordination Wendy Burroughs, Pima County NRPR Communication Christine Conte, AZ Sonora Desert Museum Record, Map and Monitor Barron Orr, University of Arizona Response Mobilization, Year 1 Travis Bean, University of Arizona
3:00 p.m.	Break
3:15 p.m.	Breakout Reports, Arizona Ballroom, Salon 6
4:15 p.m.	Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Action Plan: What's Next?
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Buffelgrass Summit draws more than 120 people to address growing concern of plant species invasion

More than 120 representatives from state and federal agencies, county and municipal governments, academia and private conservation organizations joined with concerned citizens at a Buffelgrass Summit on Feb. 9 to develop an action plan to control the invasive plant species commonly known as "buffelgrass."

Buffelgrass Summit participants met in Tucson to share information about the aggressive spread of buffelgrass, an invasive weed, and to develop an action plan to control the threat it poses to the region's signature saguaro forests, wildlife habitats and economic well being.

The summit was sponsored by Pima County, the University of Arizona, Pima Association of Governments, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the City of Tucson and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Invasive plant species are increasing their foothold in Arizona with serious consequences for natural resources and regional economies. Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), a fire-prone African perennial grass that is spreading rapidly across the desert landscapes of southern and central Arizona, kills native plants through competition for space, water and nutrients, and introduces fire into an ecosystem that evolved without it.

Left unchecked, the spread of buffelgrass will have serious and long-term consequences including:

• Escalating fire risks in what used to be a fireproof and maintenance-free desert landscape
• Mounting threats to prominent national parks, forest land and conservation properties
• Rapid conversion of Sonoran Desert ecosystem to flammable grassland
• Threats to viewscapes and landscapes at popular tourist destinations

The state of Arizona has prohibited buffelgrass by placing it on the Arizona Noxious Weed List. Although federal, state, and local agencies as well as many organizations and landowners have made buffelgrass removal a top priority, the action plan developed at the Buffelgrass Summit represents the most comprehensive and collaborative effort to control it in central and southern Arizona.

According to USGS Senior Scientist Julio Betancourt, "Buffelgrass is spreading exponentially. Populations of buffelgrass appear to be doubling in size every year, and so is the cost of mitigation. The time to act is now, and we must act decisively. A critical time for control efforts will be the 2007 monsoon season when buffelgrass will green up enough to spray effectively."

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said this issue is more than any single agency or organization can tackle. "It will take all of us planning and working together," he said.

The Buffelgrass Action Plan calls for an immediate reduction in the existing reservoir of buffelgrass to the greatest extent possible. The long-term objective is to map, prioritize and remove buffelgrass throughout this area, and to maintain vigilance to prevent it from becoming widely reestablished.

The major outcome of the summit was the validation of a proposed action plan to pursue governmental, private and community-based efforts to control buffelgrass. Each participating agency gained a better understanding of the scope of the threat and the need for immediate, coordinated action to control the weed while the task is still manageable.

These actions need to be sustained over time to prevent the conversion of Sonoran Desert to African grassland, as has occurred in many areas of northern Mexico.

Participants at the Summit overwhelmingly endorsed a "Sense of the Summit Resolution" which declared:

The establishment of buffelgrass throughout central and southern Arizona is a serious and long-term threat that must be addressed in as comprehensive, effective and expeditious a manner as possible. A Buffelgrass Management Plan, initially focused on public lands and rights-of-way, is urgently required. Successful mitigation of buffelgrass impacts over the region will require that citizens, agencies and all levels of government cooperate across jurisdictional boundaries to counter this threat.

"There is hope," said Marilyn Hanson of Sonoran Desert Weedwackers, a volunteer group supported by Pima County Government and active since 2000. "Sites in Tucson Mountain Park where buffelgrass has been removed show a return to natural conditions and species, including the native grasses."

All
Kathleen Ingley	Editorial Writer	Arizona Republic
Ann Philips	Environmental Projects Coordinator	City of Tucson
Communication
Jeffrey S. Myers	Noxious Weed Program Coordinator	Arizona Dept of Agriculture
Joan E. Scott	Habitat Program Manager	Arizona Game and Fish Department
Christine Conte	Director, Center for Sonoran Desert Studies	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Katy Goudschaal	Environmental Education Program Coordinator	Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation
Liz Bartlett	Webmaster	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tina Lee	Aide to Councilmember Carol West	City of Tucson
Lori Andersen	Assistant Director	Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
Chip Orr	Assistant Computer Manager	Desert Lab, University of Arizona and USGS
Daniel W. Uthe	Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal	Fire Prevention Section Tucson Fire Department
Heidi Schewel	Invasive Species Program Manager	Forest Service Santa Catalina Mountains
Leonard LeCaptain	AZ & NM Refuge's ISST Coordinator	Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Sue Rutman	Plant Ecologist	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Karla Wise	Environmental Specialist	Pima County Department of Transportation
Rafael Payan	Director	Pima County Parks, Natural Resources, and Recreation
Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford	State Legislator	State of Arizona
Jo Grant	Legislative Coordinator	Tucson Legislative Office
Francis Northam	Program Manager -- Invasive Plants	University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office -- Maricopa County
Deborah Young	Assistant Director	University of Arizona, Arizona Cooperative Extension
Kevin Reynolds	Environmental Toxicologist	US Fish and Wildlife Service
Community
Richard C. Brusca	Executive Program Director	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tani Hubbard	Conservation Biologist	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Yajaira Gray	Conservation Biologist	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Jerry Waehner	Parks Supervisor	City of Phoenix
Laura Burge	Ward 6 (Trasoff) Aide	City of Tucson
Ivey Schmitz	Depty Director, Neighborhood Resources	City of Tucson
Bob Newton	Executive Director	Friends of Sahuaro National Park
Joe Jablowski	President	Gates Pass HOA
Scott Berkenfield	Manager	Ironwood Forest National Monument & Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Jack Kelly	Commercial Horticulture Agent	Pima County Cooperative Extension
Wendy Burroughs	Environmental Education Program Manager	Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation
Marilyn Hanson	Coordinator	Sonoran Desert Weedwackers
Diana Rhoades	Project Manager	Sonoran Institute -Land & Water Policy Program
Kendall Kroesen	Restoration Program Manager	Tucson Audubon
Doug Koppinger	Coordinator Trees for Tucson	Tucson Clean and Beautiful
Scott Richardson	Wildlife Biologist	U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Al Fournier	IPM Program Manager	University of Arizona
Map
Aaron Alvidrez	Wildlife Biologist	56th Range Management Office Luke AFB
Gary McRae	Environmental Specialist DEC	Arizona Department of Transportation
Melissa Maiefski	Environmental Technical Section Manager	Arizona Department of Transportation
Aaryn Olsson	Sr. Research Specialist	Arizona Remote Sensing Center & Office of Arid Lands Studies, University of Arizona
Steve Whitney	GIS Manager	Pima County DOT
Laurence Fahrney	Network Administrator	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Randall Smith	Forest Restoration Program Leader	Coronado National Forest
Molly E. Hunter	Research Associate	Forest, Rangeland & Watershed Stewardship Colorado State University
Chris Mack	Senior Analyst	GIS Department Town of Marana
Michele Girard	Regional Biologist	National Park Service
Manny Rosas	GIS/Mapping Coordinator	Pima Association of Governments
Richard Whittle	Wildlife Biologist	Range Management Office Luke Air Force Base
Meg Weesner	Chief, Science and Resources Management	Saguaro National Park
Perry Grissom	Fire Ecologist	Saguaro National Park
Mitchel McClaran	Director for Research	School of Natural Resources University of Arizona
Cheryl McIntyre	Adaptive Management Project Manager	Sonoran Institute
Laura M. Norman	Research Scientist	U.S. Geological Survey
Stuart Marsh	Director Arizona Remote Sensing Center	University of Arizona
Barron Orr	Asst. Prof. and Geospatial Extension Specialist	University of Arizona
Stuart Marsh	Office of Arid Lands	University of Arizona
George Frisvold	Professor & Extension Specialist	University of Arizona
Xing Wang	Graduate Research Associate	University of Arizona
Stephen Yool	Assoc. Prof. Geography & Regional Development	University of Arizona
Tom VanDevender	Senior Research Scientist	Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Kristen Egen	District Conservationist	USDA-NRCS
Mobilize
Andy Canez	Maintenance Operations Supervisor	Arizona Department of Transportation
Charles Barclay	Land Manager I	Arizona Department of Transportation Natural Resources Management Group
Joanne Roberts	Resource Ecologist	Arizona State Parks
Marc Kasper	Land Manager I	AZDOT Natural Resources Group
Kyle Seisinger	Project Program Specialist	AZDOT Natural Resources Group
L. D. Walker	Noxious Weed Coordinator	BLM Arizona
Gary Kudes	Horticulturist	City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation Department.
Chris Daugard	Pest Control Specialist	City of Tucson
Sterling Ford	Environmental Project Coordinator	City of Tucson - Park and Rec
Harold Maxwell	Tucson Water System Maintenance Manager	City of Tucson Tucson Water
Don Pawlowske	Parks Area Supervisor	City of Tucson, Parks and Recreation Dept
Doug Wright	Pesticide Technician	City of Tucson, Parks and Recreation Dept
Kent Ellett	Invasive Species Coordinator	Coronado National Forest
Dana Baker	Biological Science Technician	NPS - Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Ray Draves, Sr.	Public Works Manager	Pima County Department of Transportation
Rudy Daniels	Public Works Supervisors	Pima County Department of Transportation
Travis Bean	Principal Research Specialist	School of Natural Resources & The Desert Laboratory - Univ of Arizona
Private
E. Leroy Brady	Chief Landscape Architect Manager Roadside Development Section	Arizona Department of Transportation
Judy Gausman	Executive Director	Arizona Landscape Contractors' Association
Jody Latimer	Natural Resource Section Manager	Arizona State Land Department
Leslie Liberti	Director, Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development	City of Tucson
Thomas Bartels	Superintendent	City of Tucson Department of Transportation
Jim Glock	Director	City of Tucson Department of Transportation
Jeff Drumm	Environmental Service Manager	COT - Environmental Services
Glenn Hicks	Capital Planning and Development	Parks & Recreation Dept., City of Tucson
Ron Potts	Public Works Supervisors	Pima County Department of Transportation
Connie Hutchins	Public Works Supervisor	Pima County Department of Transportation
David Cummings	Division Manager	Pima County Department of Transportation
Tom Moulton	Director	Pima County Economic Development and Tourism
Kerry Baldwin	Manager	Pima County Park and Rec Department
Sue Mormon	Planner	Pima County Planning Division
Richard G. Harrington	Division Manager,Infrastrucure Management	Pima County Regional Flood Control District
Kathleen Kennedy	Environmental Engineering Aide	Town of Marana
Lory Warren	Street Superintendent	Town of Oro Valley.
Phil Trenary	Operations Division Manager	Town of Oro Valley.
April Fletcher	Invasive Species Coordinator	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Resource Management
Public
David Nicholas	Maintenance Operations Supervisor	Arizona Department of Transportation
Daniel (Danny) Granillo	Project Development Coordinator	Arizona Department of Transportation
Todd Williams	Director - Office of Environmental Services	Arizona Department of Transportation
John Caravetta	Associate Director	AZ Dept of AG
Karen Masbruch	Assistant City Manager	City of Tucson
Marc Miller	Professor	College of Law University of Arizona
Mary L. Kralovec	Chief of Resources	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Dennis Dickerson	Environmental Programs Coordinator	Pima Association of Governments
C. H. Huckelberry	County Administrator	Pima County
John Bernal	Deputy County Administrator	Pima County
Sen. Tim Bee	State Senator	President, Arizona Senate
Sarah Craighead	Superintendent	Saguaro National Park
Karen Howe	Ecologist, Wildlife and Vegetation Management	Tohono O'odham Nation Natural Resources Department
Patti Fenner	Noxious Weed Program Manager	Tonto National Forest
Hon. Paul Loomis	Mayor	Town of Oro Valley
Sherry Barrett	Assistant Field Supervisor	U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Julio L. Betancourt	Research Hydrologist	U.S. Geological Survey
Maria G. Kraucunas	Pest Survey Specialist	USDA, APHIS, PPQ
Pat Quinn	Deputy Chief Community Safety	Tucson Fire Department
Paul McDonough		Tucson Fire Department

DRAFT BUFFELGRASS ACTION PLAN FOR SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL ARIZONA

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Invasive plant species are increasing their foothold in Arizona with serious consequences for natural resources and regional economies. Effective mitigation requires the support and cooperation of the public, private and business sectors to undertake prioritization, careful planning, and timely execution of control and eradication efforts.

Of particular concern is buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), a fire-prone African perennial grass that is spreading rapidly across the desert landscapes of southern and central Arizona (Pima, Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, La Paz and Santa Cruz Counties). Buffelgrass is spreading exponentially: both the expansion and the costs of mitigation are doubling every year. Immediate action is needed to reverse this trend. If a comprehensive and effective effort to control buffelgrass is not initiated prior to the 2007 monsoon season, the spread of buffelgrass will have serious and long-term consequences including:

• Escalating fire risks in what used to be a fireproof and maintenance-free desert landscape
• Mounting threats to prominent national parks, forest land, and conservation properties
• Rapid conversion of Sonoran Desert ecosystem to an African grass-dominated ecosystem
• Threats to viewscapes and landscapes at popular tourist destinations

The 2007 summer monsoon season represents a critical threshold event. Already, buffelgrass has become widely established in southern and central Arizona. With each passing year, the reservoir of buffelgrass plants and resultant seed production increases exponentially, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of ever-expanding buffelgrass infestation. The immediate need is to reduce the existing reservoir of buffelgrass to the greatest extent possible. The long-term need is to map, prioritize and remove buffelgrass throughout this area, and to maintain vigilance to prevent it from becoming widely reestablished. The major actions below should be undertaken immediately and should be conducted simultaneously. These actions need to be sustained over time to prevent the inexorable conversion of Sonoran Desert to African grassland, as has occurred in many parts of Mexico.

ACTION 1: PUBLIC SECTOR COORDINATION

GOAL: Gain governmental prioritization of buffelgrass as an imminent and substantial threat that needs immediate action

• Identify a designated buffelgrass liaison from each jurisdiction to spearhead developing support for buffelgrass control within that jurisdiction
• Prepare an example letter justifying an increase in budget and an allocation of staff for buffelgrass control within a jurisdiction
• Provide information on costs for differing treatments, scheduling needs, permit needs, and other key elements needed by jurisdictions to undertake control efforts
• Prepare an example letter from affected stakeholders and community members to submit to jurisdictions encouraging buffelgrass control, determine appropriate vehicle for distributing this letter
• Prepare and present briefings for jurisdiction representatives to build awareness of the buffelgrass problem
• Request placement of the buffelgrass issue on the agenda of appropriate meetings
• Mobilize staff, stakeholders and community members to attend jurisdiction meetings to publicly comment on the buffelgrass problem
• Develop the language of a buffelgrass-control resolution
• Pursue adoption of the buffelgrass-control resolution at each local jurisdiction affected by buffelgrass spread
• Develop language for codes and standards that specify the threat, assessment protocols, eradication protocols and eradication schedules that jurisdictions can follow to maintain on-going buffelgrass control.

2. PRIVATE SECTOR COORDINATION

GOAL: Provide the private sector with the awareness and skills necessary to respond to the buffelgrass threat

• Identify stakeholders among the private sector who could act as liaisons to organized groups working with the buffelgrass issue.
• Prepare and present briefings to companies to build awareness of the buffelgrass problem and address the role they can play in combating it.
• Develop mechanism whereby the private sector can assist with assessment and mapping efforts or buffelgrass.
• Develop standard buffelgrass control protocols, example scopes of work, and suggested quality standards for contractors who may conduct buffelgrass control work.
• Establish a training program to provide instruction on identification of plants and application of herbicide by the contracting community.

3. COMMUNITY COORDINATION

GOAL: Engage the support and energy of the community-at-large in assisting with mapping and control of buffelgrass

• Create Community Buffelgrass and Fountain Grass Education Kit, distribute to all agencies and organizations, and make available to the community.
• Develop "Train-the-trainers" program to expand our ability to educate the community.
• Identify network of agency and organization staff who are working with invasive species and community volunteers.
• Identify stakeholders among the broad community who could act as liaisons to organized groups addressing the buffelgrass issue.
• Use the Community Buffelgrass and Fountain Grass Education Kit materials to present information to community groups to build awareness of the buffelgrass problem and address the role they can play in combating it.
• Develop inter-jurisdictional protocols and agreements enabling volunteers to gain permission and access to sites to remove buffelgrass.
• Provide training to grassroots buffelgrass removal groups, using training materials from the Community Buffelgrass and Fountain Grass Education Kit.
• Inform grassroots groups of liability insurance coverage availability in varying jurisdictions and provide them with supplies, maps, and other support as needed.
• Organize grassroots buffelgrass removal groups modeled after or expanding upon Sonoran Desert Weedwackers.
• Establish a buffelgrass "Adopt-an-Area" program to focus cleanup efforts and gain recognition for local group efforts.

4. COMMUNICATION

GOAL: Assist with activation and mobilization of buffelgrass control efforts by disseminating accurate and timely information about the buffelgrass threat and control efforts

• Establish a website that allows individuals and groups to establish and maintain on-going information exchange about buffelgrass control, including the extent of local infestation, appropriate control techniques, schedule and locations of local organizations' control efforts, and, progress in removal of buffelgrass.
• Identify and contact local media outlets to determine opportunities for buffelgrass outreach on TV and Radio community affairs forums.
• Print and distribute an anti-buffelgrass bumper sticker.
• Ensure that community-based control efforts are publicized (e.g., local groups issuing a standardized press release to advise of control events).
• Establish a technical liaison to communicate with the public about the implications of chemical treatment and general safety precautions during chemical treatment.

5. RECORD, MAP AND MONITOR BUFFELGRASS

GOAL: Support buffelgrass control efforts by documenting and mapping the extent and location of buffelgrass infestation, treatment efforts, results of treatment, and additional research needs

• Determine which agency or institution will manage buffelgrass data related to observations, treatments, and monitoring.
• Conduct an annual survey of buffelgrass spread.
• Establish a GIS mapping layer showing buffelgrass concentrations, and update this annually or continuously with the development of AZ-ISMap (see below) for urban, rural, and backcountry areas.
• Formalize on-the-ground protocols for mapping infestations, treatment, and monitoring; distribute this information and train observers to undertake mapping.
• Document the current distribution and spread of buffelgrass with adequate specificity to enable prioritization of affected areas needing treatment.
• Coordinate mapping between jurisdictions in concert with the Mobilization Team.
• Compile data on locations of past, ongoing, and planned treatment, labor costs, time invested, and materials costs for buffelgrass treatments, and document the success of these efforts.
• Develop on-going descriptions of research needs.
• Establish a network of GIS specialists and data managers of involved jurisdictions.
• Obtain sufficient funds, people and data to ensure Arizona Invasive Species Map (AZ_ISMAP) is developed.
• Establish network of researchers and land managers involved in remote sensing of buffelgrass to facilitate the exchange of applicable scholarly research and practical hands-on methods for monitoring buffelgrass using remote sensing.
• Establish guidelines for land managers and volunteer coordinators to manage and prioritize monitoring efforts in a cross-jurisdictional framework.
• Coordinate monitoring efforts between jurisdictions in concert with the Mobilization Team.
• Provide baseline specification documents for land managers and volunteers to conduct mapping, treatment, and monitoring such that efforts conducted across the board will have a core minimum of common attributes and common methods.
• Provide a set of recommendations for increasing mapping capacity in southern and central Arizona.
• Provide a set of recommendations on how the Governor's office, Pima County, and any other decision-making body can effectively support local mapping and data management efforts.

6. RESPONSE MOBILIZATION - YEAR 1

GOAL: Establish a short-term central coordinating center to help prepare for, prioritize and track buffelgrass control efforts

• Determine priority areas for buffelgrass control.
• Develop sequence of treatment needed to address priority areas for plant control.
• Develop typical schedule and procedure to obtain permits and clearances needed for buffelgrass removal, and undertake permit applications, as needed.
• Design and implement a mechanical control program to implement over the next 12 months.
• Design and implement a chemical control program to implement over the next 12 months, timed to green-out windows for the grass.
• Revise existing protocol for mechanical plant removal into user-friendly Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to pass on to those who need it.
• Revise existing protocol for chemical treatment into user-accessible SOP to pass onto those who need it.
• Assist in coordinating on-the-ground work and providing technical support, if requested.
• Address fire suppression needs, and work closely with fire stations to inform them of vulnerable locations.

Buffelgrass Eradication Day 2008

On March 1, 2008, over 200 volunteers joined forces on Buffelgrass Eradication Day - a regionwide effort to remove buffelgrass.  The event was a great success with many new volunteers lending their support.  Over 400 bags of buffelgrass were removed representing over 4,000 plants.  The event was also successful in raising awareness.  Extensive media coverage helped to spread the word regarding this major challenge.  To see a few photos from the day click here.

 

Buffelgrass Day PowerPoint Presentation

 

Buffelgrass Eradication Day was a great success.  From across the region, more than 200 volunteers worked to remove buffelgrass during Buffelgrass Eradication Day!   Many thanks to everyone who volunteered to lend a hand.  The effort was truly regional in scope with buffelgrass removal occurring in Marana, Oro Valley, the City of Tucson, Tucson Mountain Park, Saguaro National Park East, Agua Caliente Hill, Sabino Canyon, Pantano and Irvington, Santa Rita Experimental Range and a number of local neighborhoods.  The effort definitely achieved its goal of raising awareness and probably also achieved a record amount of buffelgrass removal in a single day.

On Sunday, another group led by the Sierra Club worked in the Ironwood National Monument.  I'll post details when I get them.  See the In the News page for links to KVOA's coverage.