Conservation Work at Hart Prairie Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
Photo by John Schmadeke
Go to event descriptions and photo albums
Projects Goals
The Hart Prairie Preserve (HPP) encompasses 245 acres of sub-alpine cienega surrounded by quaking aspen, ponderosa pine, spruce and fir. Areas at higher elevations, such as this, that are devoid of trees are often referred to as "prairies." The preserve is located west of Flagstaff and about three hours drive from Phoenix.
The Hart Prairie Preserve was acquired by The Nature Conservancy because it contains the southern-most large stand of the rare Bebb Willow. Recruitment (growth of new trees) has been problematic. VOAz goals at Hart Prairie are to assist with interventions aimed at enhancing the viability of the Bebb Willow and of the ecological health of the preserve as a whole. The physical facilities are both a tremendous asset to TNC's educational program and a substantial burden because of the on-going maintenance requirements. VOAz responds to TNC priorities and in turn is able to offer access to this spectacular location that generally would not be available except for brief day visits.
VOAz conservation work at Hart Prairie Preserve started Memorial Day weekend in 2001 and is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.
Project Leader: Lou Arminio
Completed Events
May 26-28, 2001
August 20-22, 2001
May 25-27, 2002
August 17-18, 2002
May 24-26, 2003
July 15-18, 2003
August 26-28, 2003
May 29-31, 2004
May 28-30, 2005
July 23-24, 2005
May 26-29, 2006
July 21-26, 2006
May 26-27, 2007
June 23-24, 2007
July 21-22, 2007
July 19-20, 2008
October 11-12,2008
May 26-28, 2001
Bob Jenson and Timogen past managers of the preserve who first invited VOAz in
Fire-Line, transplanting and more
Fire lines were cut around a section of the Bebb Willow stand and completed in the forest area at the north eastern corner of the preserve. Sedges and other grasses were transplanted from the banks of a soon to be removed cattle tank to the uphill side of the causeway entry road to reduce silt deposition within the rock road-bed. Failure to prevent silt accumulation would eventually convert the porous road bed into a dam. Ed Blanchard was able to use his understanding of wiring to help trouble-shoot numerous electrical malfunctions. Some serious mud was removed from the buildings and work was done on a new cable trench. On Sunday, Les Cherow led the group on a hike to a high meadow on the western slopes of Mount Humphreys.
Total volunteer hours: 210 (23 volunteers)
August 20-22, 2001
Shed Construction
A new wood shed was completed and unneeded fence removed by eleven volunteers during this mid-week event. It was subsequently decided that storing wood in this location was a fire hazard. The wood was removed.
Total volunteer hours: 156 (11 volunteers)
May 25-27, 2002
Fence Repairs
Pati Hodges, Lee Milne, Eric Anderson, Martha Hobbs, Mike Snodgrass, Nancy Hughes, Candy Galwey, Mike Galwey, Michael Baker, Jennifer DeWitt, Katie Stone, Marge Sparks, Lou Arminio, James Knott, Ken Fiebelkorn, Jackie Keller, Dan Valles, Dick Mayo, Andy Arminio, Leah Arminio, and Yasuko Matsumoto were there, worked hard, and had some fun too.
Total volunteer hours: 290 (21 volunteers)
August 17-18, 2002 Fire Debris Reduction +
Another mid-week crew worked on clearing debris from the cabin area. The footings and for a structure to cover some equipment were built and a variety of other tasks completed.
Total volunteer hours: 250 (23 volunteers)
May 24-26, 2003
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Fire Debris Reduction, Fence Repair and More
Kirk Anderson, Lou Arminio, Melissa Blanchard, Ed Blanchard, Nancy Caternolo, Jennifer DeWitt, Ken Fiebelkorn, Mike Galwey, Candy Galwey, Carl Golnik, Shirley Golnik, Pati Hodges, Nancy Hughes, Sally Johnsen, Susan Jones, Mazhar Khan, Fred Kraps, Gail Landry, Norma Miller, Lee Milne, Rob Owens, Fred Padgett, Jake Schuldies, Mike Snodgrass, Sandra Stirnweis, Katie Stone, Rita Vautrin, Robin Wright, and David Wright volunteered for this event.
Total volunteer hours: 353 (25 volunteers)
July 15-18, 2003 - Fire Debris Reduction and Fence Repair
Twelve volunteers (Earl Edris, Pat Edris, Michael Baker, Richard Theobald, Ken Fiebelkorn, Bob Henschen, Jan Harding, Lou Arminio, Rob Owens, Rita Vautrin, Bill Owen, and Gisela Kluwin) enjoyed the relatively cool mountain climate for this three-day, mid-week event and did some heavy lifting-fence and road repairs and debris and duff removal from the cabin area (fire risk-reduction measures). Thanks to Les and Adele Cherow for inviting us to their beautifully isolated cabin nearby for a wine and cheese part on Wednesday evening.
Total volunteer hours: 144 (12 volunteers)
August 26-28, 2003
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Fire Debris Reduction
Eleven volunteers (Joan Pochop, Don Pochop, Mike Snodgrass, Lee Milne, Robin Wright, Michael Baker, Richard Theobald, Peter Michels, Susan Jones, Susan Long, and Fred Kraps) returned to a rainy, cool Hart Prairie. What a relief! As we set on the porch waiting for the rain to stop, there were few complaints. Because of the weather, the only thing we could do is to relocate the debris piles around the cabins to the burn piles. All have been removed or reduced to a size that will permit burning in place.
Total volunteer hours: 125 (11 volunteers)
May 29-31, 2004
Fire Break Building and Facilities Maintenance
Amanda Agan, Lou Arminio, Michael Baker, Sue Baughman, Jennifer DeWitt, Mike Galwey, Conrad Griese, Els Janus, Jack Janus, Susan Jones, Sally Kirch, Fred Kraps, Gail Landry, Peter Michels, Merle Parmer, Nancy Spence, Sandra Stirnweis, Tristan, and Katie Stone who participated in the Memorial Day weekend event at Hart Prairie. After 231.5 hours of work we were able to complete the entire list of tasks that TNC had compiled for us. Among them was the mapping and remarking of the nature trail; moving many piles of slash and firewood, clearing out many piles of “Bob’s” collection of spare parts, diagramming the water system, cleaning out the original homestead and moving the cook stove in and out of the lodge. This was all directed by our new friends at the preserve, Rebecca Garrett, Northern Arizona Program Coordinator for the Nature Conservancy and Ron Bauman, Preserve Assistant.
Total volunteer hours: 232 (18 volunteers)
May 28-30, 2005
Habitat and Facilities Tasks
As Ron cut up the dead fall along the northern boundary fence, we drug it into piles for burning. Aspen cages were built--a 80 plus and placed over grateful saplings. The state of the boundary fence was surveyed and then about 1,000 feet of fence was was reset. A remote weather station was dismantled and no hunting and trespassing signs strategically placed.
Leadership Team: Fred Kraps, Michael Baker, Mike Galwey, Gail Landry, Rob Owens, Bob Royal
Work Crew Members: Carey Avery, Jane Broughton, Cathy Droll, Melissa Geiger, Johnnie Grgurich, Judy Hulden, Jim Knott, Shawn Redfield, Nancy Spence; from the TNC side - Rebecca Garrett, Ron Bauman, Bill Ritz, Ed Smith, Abe Springer (NAU) and son Isaac
Total volunteer hours: 235 (17 volunteers)
July 23-24, 2005
Fire Break Building +
Twenty-three VOAz volunteers worked through a beautiful, damp weekend to complete health assessment of 100 Bebb Willows using a classification of 1 (0-25% dead) to 5 (100% dead) and recording GPS waypoints; cleared 200 yards of fuel to a depth of 66 feet creating 15 piles (10 feet diameter to a height of 5 feet); repaired a quarter mile of fence replacing barb wire and removing the fifth strand of wire to make fencing wildlife friendly; removed 100 Mullein weeds from 100 square foot area around the lodge; distributed ash and added duff to compost to a depth of 16 inches over a 50 foot diameter of what remained of a large burn pile; and attached felt to the feet of 36 chairs to prevent damage to the lodge's floor. Last but not least, a few folks were able to witness a fawn do exactly what instinct told it to do- ignore us.
Gail Landry not only kept things moving along smoothly as Event Manager she managed the food service, featuring another outstanding menu of great food, and prepared most of the meals.
TNC staff (Rebecca, Ron, Bill) we present and supportive as always. TNC biologist Greg Goodwin provided a very informative lunchtime presentation on the status of Bebb Willow and Aspen.
Leadership Team: Lou Arminio, Michael Baker, Mike Galwey, Gail Landry, Mike Snodgrass, from TNC Ron Bauman, Rebecca Garrett, Greg Goodwin, and Bill Ritz.
Work Crew Members: Marilia Baker, Judy Breen, Ruth Dambach, Wayne Dambach, Melissa Geiger, Johnnie Grgurich, Nancy Hughes, Christine Jones, Sally Kirch, Jim Mathis, Peter Michels, Bob Mitchell, Billy Joe Peyton, Linda Schilling, Roger Shelton, Nancy Spence, Thomas Tusia.
Total volunteer hours: 172.5
May 26-29, 2006
Exclosure Fence Construction Photo Album
Seventeen VOAz volunteers braved howling winds and cool temperatures to construct an Elk fence enclosure around a grove of rare Bebb willows. This included 5400 feet (just over a mile) of field fence, 5400 feet of 3 strands of high tensile smooth wire, 90 fence post pounded into the ground, approximately 540 clips to secure the fence and wire to the posts, fence stretching, and corner posts. Also, 200+ feet of barbed wire fencing was cut and removed in preparation for the July "Save Our Aspen" project at Hart Prairie Preserve.
Special thanks to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) staff and caretakers - Rebecca Garrett, Ron Bauman, and Cindy & John Schmadeke for making our stay at Hart Prairie enjoyable and fun. Thanks also to TNC for the grant that put food on the table.
Leadership Team: Roger Shelton & Nancy Spence (Event Managers); Lou Arminio & Michael Baker (Technical Advisors); Ron Bauman of TNC, Lou Arminio & Shawn Redfield (Crew Leaders); Lou Arminio & Michael Baker (Tool Managers); Roger Shelton, Nancy Spence, Gail Landry (Chefs)
Work Crew Members: Carey Avery, Susan Chesnut, Diane Cornelius, Sharayah Fenell, Melissa Geiger, Johnnie Grgurich, Judy Hulden, Sally Kirch, Gail Landry, Terri Metzger, Mark Minisce, John Mullen, Roger Shelton, Nancy Spence (bold = first VOAz event); Ron Bauman and Rebecca Garrett from TNC
Total VOAz volunteer work hours: 260.5
July 22-24, 2006
Exclosure Fence Construction Photo Album
Seventeen volunteers completed a five-sided elk exclosure with 1,150 feet of fence that is between 6.5 and 7 feet high (2 smooth wires topped by four feet of field fence topped by two more smooth wires). On Friday, an advance crew of six worked with TNC regular Ron Bauman to complete the corner posts and preposition materials. Work on Saturday was interrupted by an early afternoon storm. That proved to be a boon because the incredible meals provided by Melissa and Johnnie fostered overeating which resulted in serious post-lunch lethargy. By 4:30 the sky cleared and we put in another two hours of energetic work which proved to have been a wise investment. On Sunday, we noticed that the tension placed on the smooth wires was causing our ridged corner posts to lift out of the ground. Guy wires were set at each corner to provide a counter-veiling force and work wrapped up at 11:30. Even with the many hours of work there was plenty of time to hang out, watch the wildlife, the rain (favorite past time for desert dwellers), watch somebody's idea of a music video, and enjoy the people and the great food. An unexpected task was a brief fire fighting episode involving Michael, Mark, Ron, and John S.
Melissa Geiger and Johnnie Grgurich received their (overdue) ten-pin awards. Camp host John Schmadeke presented VOAz with the prestigious TNC Fence Award for 2006.
Special thanks to TNC for underwriting the food budget for this event with funds from a project grant. Cindy and John Schmadeke were, as always, gracious and always helpful hosts. Ron Bauman helped us work through all the logistical and technical twists that inevitably arise in a challenge piece of work. His positive attitude and ready smile more than make up for his stream of bad jokes.
The team included: Michael Baker (last minute assignment to Event Manager with Fred Kraps’s last minute work assignment); Melissa Geiger and Johnnie Grgurich (chefs); Lou Arminio, Les Cherow, Mark Minisce, John Mullen, Joe Zveglich (members of the advance crew and the Aspen fence technical team); Gail Landry (Photographer-Caption scribe with contributions from Lou, Michael, Ron, and Sue T); Sue Baughman, Judy Breen, Doug Gregory, Marilynn Grieser, Johnnie Grgurich, Judy Mullen, Ingrid Purder, Nell Teter, and Sue Thiebes rounded out the work crew. (Bold = first VOAz event).
Total VOAz volunteer work hours: 193
May 26-28, 2007
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Exclosure Fence Construction & Fire Fuel Reduction Photo Album
Perfect weather conditions attributed to a
successful seventh annual Memorial Weekend event at Hart Prairie Preserve.
Volunteers constructed a 570 foot elk fence exclosure surrounding an Aspen grove
and removing 71 truck loads of fire fuel in the form of slash and rounds from
within the fence area and around the preserve's structures. This brings our elk
exclosure fence construction at Hart Prairie to 7120 feet!
Special thanks to Neil Chapman, Northern Arizona Program Coordinator for TNC;
Ron Bauman, Preserve Assistant; and Hart Prairie's on site hosts for 2007, Diane
and Doug Iverson, for their hospitality, participation, and coordination of the
work projects. In addition, we thank TNC for the grant that covered the cost of
our food.
Thirteen VOAz volunteers: Lou Arminio (Technical Advisor), Mike Fimea, Doug Gregory, Melissa Geiger and Johnnie Grgurich (Chefs Extraordinaire), Bob Harper, Inge Harper, Sally Kirch (Event Manager), Gail Landry (Project Leader/Photographer), Peter Michels, Shawn Redfield, Nell Teter, and Sue Thiebes were able to complete the tasks assigned to them by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2 days, leaving Monday to enjoy the serenity of the Preserve. (bold = first VOAz event)
Total volunteer hours: 207
June 23-24, 2007
Fire Fuel Reduction Photo Album For two relatively cool and sunny Arizona days, up to 18 volunteers gathered at Hart Prairie Preserve, outside of Flagstaff to remove 200 yards, 10 feet wide of felled tree rounds and slash to ease the risk to the Prairie from fire. The volunteers removed rounds and slash from the border with the Forest Service lands, created numerous burn piles, piled up good fire wood for the taking by anyone in the area, and helped to fell more trees. They also removed invasive weeds and collected bags of two prairie plant seeds. In attendance there were 5 new folks, 2 returning for the second time, and many seasoned members. Congratulations to Sandra Stirnweis who received her 20th event name tag. Great meals were prepared, and downtime activities included bird watching as well as simply melting into the amazing views of the prairie, forest, and Mt. Humphreys. With near-perfect weather this all came together as a safe, pleasurable, and very successful event!
Members of the Work Crew and Leadership Team: Lou Armino (Crew Leader), Ed Blanchard
(Crew Leader), Melissa Blanchard, Judy Breen (Crew Leader), Amy Crater,
Mike Fimea, Melissa Geiger (Event Manager), Johnnie Grgurich (Safety Officer),
Els Janus, Jack Janus, Nancy Maneely, Sharon McCloskey, Terri
Metzger, Peter Michels, Shawn Redfield (Crew Leader), Nancy Spence,
Sandra Stirnweis (Chef), Barbara Ver Woert, Rod Werner, Emily Werner. (Bold
= first VOAz event)
Total Volunteer Hours: 186
July 21-22, 2007
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Fire Fuel Reduction Photo Album
Fourteen volunteers spent two days at The Nature Conservancy's Hart Prairie Preserve working among the raindrops to help keep the Preserve facilities safer from forest fire. We removed slash and rounds (slash being the branches and rounds being the trunks cut into manageable pieces), and invasive species (Mullen and Butter and Eggs). When the rains fell we could no longer use the trucks, we raked the road. Forty eight truck loads of slash and 48 truck loads of rounds were removed. Several hundred invasive plants were removed (primarily Mullen), which means that several thousand invaders will not have a chance to take root. Part of the road was re-raked to help prevent erosion and maintain the French dams that carry the water away from it.Members of the Work Crew and Leadership Team: Tom Bentley, Tracy Flemming, Todd Gartman, Dave Gorman, Doug Gregory, Inge Harper, Kathy Lopez, Shawn Redfield, Dave Schwartz, Aleph Stevens, Sandra Stirnweis (Event Manager), Diane Taluberg, Nell Teter, Sue Theibe(Bold = first VOAz event)
Special thanks to our Nature Conservancy Partners Neil Chapman and Ron Bauman who organized the work for us, and Diane and Doug Iverson the hosts who make everything comfortable and homey (and make great cookies)
Total Volunteer Hours: 112
For the first time in seven years, weather forced cancellation of the Memorial Day event. A few intrepid individuals were able to show up and complete a few tasks.
July 19-20, 2008
Three crews did tree thinning, creating at least 20 wood piles of slash to be burned and hauling dozens of loads of wood rounds. Numerous people helped on different crews both Saturday and Sunday preventing millions of mullens from multiplying. A very special crew also dismantled an old, unused shed.
Also Newsworthy: The weekend was filled with much fun and fellowship. Staff and friends of The Nature Conservancy also contributed to making this a special event. Neil Chapman's constant presence encouraged us to value every aspect of the preserve and to work hard to help maintain it at its best. On Saturday evening, Mary Lou Fairweather of the Forest Service, accompanied by Ed Smith of the Nature Conservancy, gave a special talk about the endangered aspen and plants in the area. On Sunday, Jennifer led us in an inspirational meditation focusing on vibrational sounds and our gorgeous natural surroundings.
Participating Volunteers (24): Donna Alexander, Lou Arminio, and teens (Joey & Chad Arminio), Sue Baughman, Inge Harper, Robert Harper, Diana Hernandez, Thom Hulen, Jodi Johnson (and Ryan), Lynn Larremore, Steve Larson, Sonia Mehren, Kathy and Larry Lopez, John Metzger, Mark Miller, Mark Minisce, Ingrid Purder, Nancy Spence, Steve Trezise, and Joseph Zveglich
Total Volunteer Hours: 299
October 11-12,2008
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| Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona - Hart Prairie October 2008 |
Participating Volunteers (22: Donna (Event Manager), Lou (Technical Advisor), Sue , *Brenda , Tim (Crew Leader), Mike , Melissa (Food Service), Johnnie , Inge , Robert , James , Lynn (Crew Leader), Timothy , Ingrid , Shawn (Crew Leader), Jennifer , Joseph (Crew Leader) * Indicates first event