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November 20 Presentation: Aquatic Habitat Design and Management in the Desert Southwest

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Don’t miss Dennis Caldwell’s virtual tour of aquatic habitats in the desert southwest.

Dennis Caldwell will take attendees of the November 20 THS meetup on a virtual tour of the aquatic habitats he has built, and discuss the species at stake.

When working to conserve threatened aquatic species in the southwestern US and northern Mexico, what you need most is water, permanent water free of non-natives. Nowhere in nature can you meet these criteria. Dennis will provide a virtual tour of the habitats he has built and the species at stake, as well as lessons learned.

About

Dennis Caldwell is an Arizona native, born in Sierra Vista, has a degree in Graphic Art and Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. He worked for advertising agencies in Chicago from 1984-1989. In 1989, in the pursuit of happiness, he moved to Tucson, Arizona and started his own freelance design service.

Dennis has a life long passion for the natural world and has been involved with the Arizona Native Plant Society, Tucson Audubon, Casa Tortuga, Chicago Herpetological Society, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Biological Planning, Nature Conservancy, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Sky Island Alliance, Cienega Watershed Partnership, Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership, Quitobaquito Rio Sonoyta Working Group, CEDO the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans, Cienega Corridor Conservations Council, Friends of Ironwood National Monument and the Tucson Herpetological Society, to name a few.

Besides his graphic arts business, Dennis is a self-taught biologist, mentored by many local conservation professionals, and contracts as a consultant and field biologist on conservation projects and endangered species recovery. Working with recovery efforts of aquatic species he developed construction skills for designing and building aquatic habitats to serve as refugia in a land and time of uncertain water future. Dealing with dwindling conservation funding sources, many of his pond construction projects involve developing lo-cost solutions as well as other challenges. To defer the personal cost of countless hours donated to these causes, he sells his wildlife art, watercolor prints at etsy.com/shop/CaldwellDesignArt

Primary threatened and endangered species studied include; Sonoran and Mojave desert tortoise, Chiricahua leopard frog, Tarahumara frog, lowland leopard frog, Western barking frog, Great Plains narrow-mouthed toad, Mojave fringe-toed lizard, flat-tailed horned lizard, Gila monster, Mexican beaded Lizard, Northern Mexican gartersnake, Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Tucson shovel-nosed snake, Rio Sonoita mud turtle, Rio Sonoita pupfish, Rio Sonoita longfin dace, Gila topminnow and Gila chub.

In September of 2001 Dennis was awarded the Jarchow Conservation Award for service in conservation of the herpetofauna of the North American Deserts. In 2014 he was a recipient of the 2013 Department of the Interior, Partners in Conservation Award.

Meeting Time:
7:15pm

Meeting Place:
City Ward 3 Meeting Room – 1510 E Grant Rd – Tucson AZ 85719

Southeast corner of Grant and Vine between Campbell and Mountain Avenues

Pre-meeting Eats:
Blue Willow – 2616 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

Southeast block of Glenn and Campbell

August 20 Field Trip: Herping in the Pajarito Mountains

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Join the Tucson Herpetological Society for a night and next morning herping trip to the Pajarito Mountains of southern Arizona to search for many species of reptiles and amphibians found no where else in the United States, including Brown Vinesnake, Thornscrub Hook-nosed Snake, Tarahumara Frogs, and others.

This is a first-come, first-served field trip with limited space. NOTE: the monsoon may have dicey weather and flash-floods and lightning strikes may be possible, so this trip may be rescheduled or cancelled up to the last minute.

For more information, contact Larry Jones at gilaman@comcast.net and visit the THS Website at https://tucsonherpsociety.org/category/field-trips/

Please be sure to thoroughly read the following information:

Trip Name: Pajaritos Field Trip, Monsoon 2019

Location: Pajarito Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Maximum Number of Participants: 12 adults.

Directions to Rendezvous Point: From Tucson, take I-10 to I-19; take I-19 south to exit 12; head west on Ruby Road. The rendezvous point is White Rock Campground about 9 miles to the west—right past the end of the pavement. If you stay on the pavement, you will go a short distance to the right to access Pena Blanca Lake—that means you have gone too far.

Date(s): We are planning to meet at White Rock Campground at 4 PM on Tuesday, 20 August 2019, and leaving the next day after we get our fill. Watch for emails or texts should something happen at the last minute. THIS TRIP WOULD NEED TO BE RESCHEDULED IF WEATHER OUTLOOK IS DICEY.

Length of Trip: One night, then following morning. We gather at the rendezvous point at 4 PM. Those wishing to camp can set up their tents or campers then. If others only wish to look for snakes at night, they can meet at the rendezvous point, then head home when they are done for the evening. For campers, we will cruise roads at night or do walking searches, then return to camp, then the following morning, look for snakes and lizards until it gets too hot or we have our fill. If anyone wishes to stay there longer, be our guest—just be at the rendezvous point on time to make plans.

Accommodations (e.g., campground): White Rock Campground is first-come, first served. It costs $10/night but is half price for those with a senior pass. I will have a Red Jeep 4-door Wrangler AZ “Lagarto,” so if you find me, stop by and say “hi” and clinch your campsite, if camping. I’m hoping to have my pop-up trailer, but it is broken more than functional! I can’t hold a campsite for anyone but me, so you might have to fend for yourself. I can use the kiosk there to post messages, so check it if you don’t find me. White Rock is just onto the dirt on Ruby Rd, right after ending of the pavement. If there is not enough room there, there are alternate undeveloped sites nearby. White Rock is a developed campground with a few sites, picnic tables, and a pit toilet, but there is NO WATER, so bring your own. There are no RV hookups, electricity, or sewage. Dry camping only. THS does not allow dogs while looking for herps (unless they are in your car or you are by yourself). Although they are welcome at the campground, it is logistically best to leave Fido at home.

If you want to camp, but don’t like developed campgrounds, there are many dispersed camping opportunities around, like up Peña Blanca Canyon. Alternatively, people have the option to stay at hotels nearby in Nogales or a bit farther away in Tubac or Rio Rico. Please make any hotel reservations on your own. People can also commute from their home, if they prefer. Just be at the rendezvous point on Day 1 at 4 PM or contact me if there is a problem with that.

Facilities: There is a truck stop with fast food (Wendy’s) and gasoline at the junction of Ruby Road and I-19, on the east side of the freeway. Nogales, Arizona, is a few miles to the south along I-19. There are many options for food, drinks, and supplies. There are picnic grounds and restrooms and boating at the nearby Peña Blanca Lake.

Carpooling: Because camping is involved, we will mostly drive individually and meet on Ruby Road. We can determine carpools for going to sites and road-cruising once we are at the staging area.

Logistical Lead and Contact Info: Larry Jones; 520-730-5254; gilaman@comcast.net.

Meeting Area/Rendezvous Point: See “Directions.” We are meeting at White Rock Campground at 4 PM.

Permits and Authorizations Needed: All handlers must have valid state and/or federal scientific collecting permits or hunting or fishing license and not exceed legal authority. See state and federal regulations to know how to comply. There is no collecting for “pets” on THS field trips.

Off-limits Areas: Stay on roadways and on federal lands (USDA Forest Service, Coronado NF manages most of the lands). Stay off private lands off roadways. Do not cross into Mexico, even though some back roads and trails lead there.

Site-specific Safety Alerts: This is during the monsoon, so weather can be dicey, and we will postpone or cancel if inclement weather exists, but weather this time of year is kind of unpredictable, so be aware and savvy of flash-floods, flooding at the campground, and lightning strikes. Never cross flash-flooded washes. Just wait awhile and the water level will recede. If it looks like the campground could flood (it rarely—but not never happens), seek higher ground and stay put till it is safe to proceed. Note that the area DOES NOT HAVE DOPPLER RADAR, so do not rely on it. There is also no cell coverage in most of the area.

August 28 Field Trip – Sabino Canyon Day and Night 2019

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We will spend a few hours herping in the morning, ending when temperatures are getting too warm for lizards and then re-converge in the late afternoon for a few hours at night. Weather-dependent.

Logistical Lead and Contact Info: Larry Jones. 520-730-5254; gilaman@comcast.net

NOTE: Plans are subject to change, usually due to weather, so keep your cell phone with you, especially the day before and day of the trip, and especially for the night portion, should nasty storms brew.

Location: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Coronado National Forest.

Target Taxa: The daytime is mostly for lizard watching through binoculars. Close-focus are best. Nighttime is mostly for snake-viewing. This is a good area for many species of snakes and lizards, including Sonoran Spotted Whiptail, Giant Spotted Whiptail, sometimes Eastern Collared Lizard, and a host of other common lizards, especially those of the Sonoran Desert. Snakes include Sonoran Lyresnake, kingsnakes, Black-necked Gartersnake, and other common desert snakes. Venomous species include Gila Monsters, Western Black-tailed Rattlesnakes, Tiger Rattlesnakes, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, and Arizona Coralsnakes. Amphibians include several toads and Canyon Treefrogs. Sonoran Desert Tortoises are reasonably common here.

Herp Handling Requirements: This is a no-touch zone.

Meeting Area/Rendezvous Point: Meet at the front of the Visitor’s Center. There is a parking fee that the participants must pay themselves. Hang onto the stub, and use it for re-entry.

Meeting Time and Date: On the morning of 28 August, meet at the visitor’s center at 0630 AM. It is likely to be hot, so an early start is necessary for the day portion. Then after the long lunch and dinner break, meet again at 6:30 PM for the evening portion.

Leaving Time and Date: During the morning, probably leave by 11:00 or so. At night, probably leave at 10:30 PM or so. This is determined as we go. Leaders and helpers of smaller groups will have walkie-talkies and or cell phones to communicate.

Directions: At east end of Tucson, in foothills of Santa Catalina Mountains, at entrance to Sabino Canyon

Accommodations (e.g., campground): Hotels and camping in and near Tucson, but nothing right there.

Facilities: Visitor’s Center, restrooms with flush toilets. There is no food at Sabino Canyon; one would have to bring their own, or head out after the break. There are paved roads and good trails.

Carpooling: No arranged carpooling. However, if participants from the West side want to carpool to Sabino, go for it.

Maximum Number of Participants: 15 persons.

Off-limits Areas: Adjacent private lands are off-limits. Walking will be limited to roads, trails, and possibly the riparian area; however, in the event of monsoonal rains, the riparian area may be dangerous, so at night, it is mandatory to stick by a trail and/or stay with the group helper.

Site-specific Safety Alerts: Daytimes can get very hot, so be prepared. We have no plans to guide the field trip during the heat of the day, so participants are on their own. During moderate weather, rattlesnakes and Gila Monsters may be common, as well as stinging insects. In the afternoon and evening, flash floods, rising stream levels, and lightning are potential safety hazards. If the conditions look too hazardous, we will cancel or postpone the evening field portion. Participants must always stay close to their group helpers, or announce when they are headed back. If were are in underbrush, snakes are a hazard, and leather boots and snake gaiters are advised, and may be mandatory.

What should Participants Bring?: General field gear (e.g., boots, sunscreen, hat, food, water), binoculars (especially close-focus), cell phone, camera, FLASHLIGHT/headlamps required for nighttime portion. If you want to get off the pavement on trails at night, snake-gaiters may be required.

Purpose of Trip (e.g., photograph and release at point of capture): No-touch, photograph in situ the abundant reptile and amphibian fauna of this area. There are ¾ million visitors per year, so the lizards are often tolerant of humans, and it is often easy to get photographs of many species. This is a moonless time during the monsoon, so is categorically the best time for snakes, although it is dependent upon the local conditions.

Nearest Emergency Room with 24/7 Physician on Duty: Saint Joseph’s Hospital, 350 N. Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ 85711. (520) 873-3000. Call 911 in an emergency.

Other Information as Needed: Because this trip is weather-dependent, be ready to change plans at the last minute. Watch for emails, texts, or phone message updates, especially in the days preceding the trip and the day of the trip.

June Field Trip: Herping in the Pajarito Mountains

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Join the Tucson Herpetological Society on June 5th and 6th for an overnight herping field trip in the Pajarito Mountains of Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

Logistical Lead and Contact Info: Larry Jones. 520-730-5254; gilaman@comcast.net

Date(s): We are tentatively planning to meet at White Rock Campground at 4 PM on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, and leaving the next day after we get our fill, but other days, particularly during that week, could be selected. Stay tuned. NOTE: Date may change due to weather or other factors, so watch this space for updates.

Length of Trip: One night, then following morning. We gather at the rendezvous point at 4 PM. Those wishing to camp can set up their tents or campers then. If others only wish to look for snakes at night, they can meet at the rendezvous point, then head home when they are done for the evening. For campers, we will cruise roads at night or do walking searches, then return to camp, then the following morning, look for snakes and lizards until it gets too hot. Those who only want to do the diurnal portion need to get an early start and meet us at the rendezvous point by 7 AM. If anyone wishes to stay there longer, be our guest—just be at the rendezvous point on time to make plans.

Directions to Rendezvous Point: From Tucson, take I-10 to I-19; take I-19 south to exit 12; head west on Ruby Road. The rendezvous point is White Rock Campground about 9 miles to the west—right past the end of the pavement. If you stay on the pavement, you will go a short distance to the right to access Pena Blanca Lake—that means you have gone too far.

Accommodations (e.g., campground): White Rock Campground is first-come, first served. It costs $10/night but is half price for those with a senior pass. I will have a Red Jeep 4-door Wrangler AZ “Lagarto,” so if you find me, stop by and say “hi” and clinch your campsite, if camping. I can’t hold a campsite for anyone but me, so you might have to fend for yourself. I can use the kiosk there to post messages, so check it if you don’t find me. White Rock is just onto the dirt on Ruby Rd, right after ending of the pavement. If there is not enough room there, there are alternate undeveloped sites nearby. White Rock is a developed campground with a few sites, picnic tables, and a pit toilet, but there is NO WATER, so bring your own. There are no RV hookups, electricity, or sewage. Dry camping only. THS does not allow dogs while looking for herps (unless they are in your car or you are by yourself). Although they are welcome at the campground, it is logistically best to leave Fido at home.

If you want to camp, but don’t like developed campgrounds, there are many dispersed camping opportunities around, like up Peña Blanca Canyon. Alternatively, people have the option to stay at hotels nearby in Nogales or a bit farther away in Tubac or Rio Rico. Please make any hotel reservations on your own. People can also commute from their home, if they prefer. Just be at the rendezvous point on Day 1 at 4 PM and Day 2 at 7 AM.

Facilities: There is a truck stop with fast food (Wendy’s) and gasoline at the junction of Ruby Road and I-19, on the east side of the freeway. Nogales, Arizona, is a few miles to the south along I-19. There are many options for food, drinks, and supplies. There are picnic grounds and restrooms and boating at the nearby Peña Blanca Lake.

Carpooling: Because camping is involved, we will mostly drive individually and meet on Ruby Road. We can determine carpools for going to sites and road-cruising once we are at the staging area.

June 19th Presentation: Herp Population Dynamics at Leslie Canyon NWR

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WHEN: Wednesday, June 19 at 7:15 pm
WHERE: Ward 3 City Building, 1510 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ

Mr. Bill Radke, Refuge Manager at Buenos Aires NWR, Leslie Canyon NWR, and San Bernardino NWR, will present a fascinating account of the population dynamics of reptiles and amphibians at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge.

The presentation will focus on the exciting results of an intensive 15-year sampling project at Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge in Cochise County, Arizona, which culminated in October 2014.

Studies such as this one are important for helping document species richness, understanding ecological trends, investigating population dynamics and the roles of rare species, and in helping justify resource management decisions.

Not only did this study document population dynamics and “spikes”, information gleaned from this extraordinary effort included:

  • Species richness
  • Periods of activity
  • Success of various trapping techniques
  • Longevity information
  • Response to precipitation
  • Relative abundance

Additionally, the project resulted in the capture and identification of a new mollusk species, and helped with the determination of a new mammal species.

Join us for pre-meeting eats at 5:30 pm:
Blue Willow
2616 N Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ