Activity Report Explorer

Sonoran Broadband • Entered by Roz Switzer on April 22, 2024

Borderlands Biodiversity Broadwalk

April 5, 2024 – April 8, 2024

Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Education & Outreach (tabling, films & lectures, regional B-walks/works)
Landscape/area: Coronado National Forest (AZ) (1718945 acres)

Measurable Outcomes

Outcome 1: Event Attendees (37 people)

Short Description of Activity

The Broadwalk was held at the Southwestern Research Station (SWRS) in Portal Arizona. Through speakers, hikes and outdoor activities participants were introduced to the incredible biodiversity of SE Arizona where the Sonoran desert, Chihuahuan desert and grasslands, Rocky Mountains of the US and Serra Madre Occidental in Mexico come together. As well as the biodiversity of the Chiricahua Mountains, Sky Islands and Borderlands, activities and speakers covered Mexican gray wolves, Hummingbird Banding, Chiricahua Leapard Frog reintroduction, Birding, hawks, binational beaver restoration, jaguars, wildlife tracking, the current state of the border wall, the successful campaign to remove the shipping container wall from the Border and the natural history collections at SWRS.
Stewardship projects and the optional border trip are accounted for separately.

Reflection/Evaluation

Not only did participants become acquainted with the biodiversity, the threats to this region and its wildlife were also explored. We now have a group of Broads who have experienced this area first hand and can be called on for action when issues arise. We have received positive feedback on both speakers and activities offered. Due to the depth of expertise among our AZ Broadband Leaders, we were able to pivot from activities that had fallen through and substitute them with others.
Suggestions for improvement on planning and implementing future regional Broadwalks will be covered in a separate document.
Photos are being shared by participants in Google Photos (Ask Sally)