Aldos Silver City • Entered by Marcia Stout on May 8, 2024
Riparian – Grazing Monitoring
April 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 2 |
| Post Admin hours | 3.5 |
| Activity Hours | 9 |
| Participants | 5 |
| Total Hours | 50.5 |
Key Issue: Livestock Grazing Management
Activity Type: Stewardship (monitoring, sampling, planting, etc.)
Key Partners: Gila National Forest
Landscape/area: Gila National Forest (2658321 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Trail/land monitored (3 surveys)
Outcome 2: Hiked (15.5 miles)
Short Description of Activity
On April 2, three Broadband team members monitored the Bird Area along the Gila River. We found several places where cattle had crossed fences and plenty of cattle sign, as well. We sent a letter to the Forest Service stating that we really feel that the current system is not working, and that we either 1) need an electronic fence system there, or 2) all fences must be moved out of the flood plain, as they are constantly washed out or damaged. On April 17 three team members monitored Goat Canyon. No sign was observed. On April 30 two team members hiked Little Cherry Creek to check for missing trespass cattle which might have been in that area. We saw no cattle and no sign.
Reflection/Evaluation
Subsequent communication with Silver City Ranger District staff regarding the Bird Conservation Area indicates that they are discussing GPS ear tags with the permittee, so that the permittee can keep better track of his cattle. High water kept us out of the rivers this month. We have given the Silver City Ranger District concrete ideas about how to improve the constant broaching of the Bird Area exclosure, and they are discussing options with the permittee. We learned that there are seven trespass cattle loose and not seen for several months, so we began looking for them.
Photos/Uploads
Upload 1 |
Photo Captions
1. Monitoring within the Bird Conservation Area along the Gila River on April 2.