Red Rock Ranger District Wildlife/Fish/Rare Plants Projects

Firefly

What does the firefly say?
Fireflies use a system of flashes to communicate. They use their light to say, "Here I am", to attract, and even to deceive!

Please report any firefly sightings to a new project we just launched called the Firefly Atlas (www.fireflyatlas.org).

Sorghum Wars

Use a small pruning clipper or kitchen scissors to remove the seed head stems.  The plants are easily pulled by grasping firmly at the base and giving a tug.  The soil right now is moist.

Eye protection of some sort is recommended.  

CUT AND PACK OUT THE SEEDHEADS.

Pull the plant and leave its roots exposed to the sun. 

Then report to wildlife@fofsedona.org where, when, and about how many plants were treated, so we can track how extensive this invasive is.

Monitoring For Livestock in Riparian Areas

Quarterly (!) monitoring required as a result of a settlement agreement from a lawsuit involving livestock grazing along the Verde River and associated riparian habitat.  We need volunteers to visit specific riparian stretches to look for and document livestock access into and along the Verde riparian.  You will note your observations on provided field forms.  Field forms and pictures are then returned to Annie, Janie, and Kathy.  Thanks to those who have helped out in the past. 

You'll find the various reaches that need monitoring in this signup.  You can pop in and out via roads, trails, and accessible cross country access points or even use binoculars to glass down into riparian looking for signs of livestock. 

Peregrine Monitoring

Peregrine falcons were once listed under the Endangered Species Act and continue to be managed as Forest Service Sensitive Species and State Species of Concern. We have nest sites all throughout Red Rock County to monitor and a few new sites to check on. Volunteers visit sites up to four times between March and July, and watching for peregrine falcon nesting activity. Binoculars and telescopes are available.