Aldos Silver City • Entered by Marcia Stout on October 8, 2024
Gila Wilderness Centennial Broadwalk
September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024
Participants and Hours
Pre Planning hours | 36 |
Post Admin hours | 10 |
Activity Hours | 97.5 |
Participants | 5 |
Total Hours | 533.5 |
Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Education & Outreach (tabling, films & lectures, regional B-walks/works)
Key Partners: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Gila Natl. Forest staff; Also Heart of the Gila organization
Landscape/area: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (533 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Invasives removed (420 plants)
Outcome 2: Event Attendees (22 people)
Outcome 3: Hiked (5 miles)[/if 1231]
Short Description of Activity
Our 10th annual retreat this year took the special form of a Broadwalk to celebrate and contemplate the Gila Wilderness Centennial. The Broadwalk was held near the Gila River at the Hot Springs Ranch not far from Gila Cliff Dwellings Natl. Monument. Our speaker this year was the Gila Natl. Forest Hydrologist who spoke on various issues ranging from watershed projects in the Wilderness to our broadband’s livestock monitoring stewardship with them. She continued relevant discussion of issues and river geography when driving down to visit the beautiful Forks area nearby after her presentation. We were fortunate to have Executive Director Sara Husby as a participant at our Broadwalk, who spoke on various topics relevant to the organization including partnerships, advocacy, and the upcoming Wilderness Conference. We were able to present Sara / GOBW with a nicely framed poster commemorating the Gila Wilderness Centennial. Our service project this year focused on removing invasive or non-native plants near the West Fork visitor areas within Gila Cliff Dwellings Natl. Monument. For this service project we were led by knowledgeable Natl. Park Service staff and the nonprofit organization, Heart of the Gila. We were also provided with information on vegetation issues in the nearby wilderness in addition to the thriving native plant community within the national monument. Park Service staff provided an informative botany and history walk part way up Cliff Dwellers Canyon. (See separate activity report for Broadwalk postcard advocacy.) Twelve participants enjoyed a beautiful afternoon hike several miles up the Middle Fork, winding through fields of sunflowers along the river. A wonderful addition this year were several yoga/ forest bathing sessions offered by one of our members. The Executive Director of Heart of the Gila stopped by one of our social hours to speak primarily on the current regional issue of (proposed) expansion of military flyovers over areas such as the Gila Wilderness. Supper gatherings were more organized this year thanks to the Co-leader of Rio Grande Valley Broadband who brought and organized suppers – a major effort. Gila Wilderness Centennial posters and mementos were offered to participants, and a Gila Wilderness reading/ reference table with maps, articles, etc. was available.
Reflection/Evaluation
We had a good mix of participants from Aldo’s Silver City and Rio Grande Valley Broadbands, including folks from further away in NM and AZ. It was fun to meet new folks and share information. The total number was optimal relative to the event venue. Participants valued the opportunity to engage in conversation with the Executive Director (Sara), both during a social hour talk and opportunistically. That added a lot to our Broadwalk overall. Participants also very much appreciated and learned from the GNF Hydrologist talk along with the opportunity for questions. The topics were highly relevant and she left a copy of the FEIS & draft ROD for the GNF Land Management Plan being finalized. Among other things she communicated how important our stewardship livestock monitoring is to them. The Gila Cliff Dwelling staff went all out in hosting our very enjoyable stewardship project and the Superintendent welcomed us. Having an organized supper meal provided an enjoyable early evening activity. While challenging to get the food out there and warm it up with stove maintenance problems, it was much appreciated and helpful to the overall event. The hike was enjoyed by all who participated. If we have numerous participants hiking next time, it would be helpful to have an additional hike leader/ sweep in addition to just two. The addition of an optional activity during the early evening proved useful for those folks wanting to participate. Gila Wilderness trivia had been prepared but based on good conversation etc., we ran out of time. (Trivia was emailed instead.) Yoga/ forest bathing proved to be a great way to relax and reflect at the end of the afternoon and the closing of the Broadwalk activities. We received positive feedback regarding the Broadwalk experience and thought it went very well. It was beneficial having the efforts of our Grassroots Advocacy staff helping with registration, particularly since it was at the Broadwalk level rather than just a broadband local gathering. Although a considerable planning effort was involved, we felt very good about this memorable Broadwalk and are glad to have organized and implemented it.
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Photo Captions
1. Group photo
2. Broadwalk service project orientation at Gila Cliff Dwellings Natl. Monument
3. At the “forks” – Gila River with the GNF Hydrologist
4. Along the path in cliff dwellers canyon with NPS staff