Activity Report Explorer

Aldos Silver City • Entered by Marcia Stout on January 5, 2025

Riparian – Grazing Monitoring

December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

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 (4 surveys)
Outcome 2: Hiked (19 miles)

Short Description of Activity

During December we took advantage of unseasonably warm and dry weather to engage in four monitoring trips. On Dec. 6, 4 members monitored the Gila River Birding Area in the Silver City District. About 3/4 of a mile upstream from River Vista, 7 cows were observed and reported. There was plenty of sign between where we saw them, and all the way back to the gate that we often report as open, about 3/4 miles downstream from River Vista. it was open again, with plenty of sign leading from it into the river. Dec. 7: One team member monitored along the San Francisco River downstream from Alma Bridge (Glenwood District). No livestock sign was observed. The fence on the north side of the bridge looked flimsy enough to give way as soon as there was water, and this was reported to district staff. Dec.16: Three team members monitored the Stone Creek exclosure (Quemado District) following planned removal of cattle by Oct. 31 and after completion of the recent restoration work. There was one large “pie” inside one of the exclosures and we wondered how the cow got in. We did see some cattle tracks along the road that seemed to be fresh, from one or two cows. Dec. 30: Two members of our team monitored the Vigil Springs exclosure in the Glenwood District. Sadly, we observed a cattle -trampled riparian area in the west part of the exclosure, particularly near the water lane. It is obvious that some cattle have been impacting that area of the exclosure for some time. The gate that goes into the west side of the exclosure was wide open. Fortunately, the east part of the exclosure continues to look good. It was also good to see the new metal pipe fencing all along the north side of the exclosure and the plastic pipe fence at the far west end of the exclosure.

Reflection/Evaluation

This appears to be an important time for monitoring, given during December we observed cattle within 2 protected exclosures. Perhaps the winter drought played a role here, and at any rate cattle are being let in or are finding their way into two of the exclosures we monitored this month. Regarding cattle observed again within the Gila River Birding area, we requested a meeting with forest service staff in January 2025 to discuss this ongoing problem. (Along with other items of discussion.) While the major fencing improvements at Vigil Springs exclosure were great to see and reflect a commitment of funds and work, this is currently ineffective as someone is leaving the gate open. We asked for feedback on that situation and how it will be resolved but have not heard back yet. We are also wondering if the plastic pipe fencing with lumber on the bottom might work at Pancho Canyon. On a different note, we appreciated observing the 2024 restoration work within the Stone Creek area. Hopefully cattle can be kept from impacting this restored area within the exclosure.

Photos/Uploads

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Photo Captions

1. Trying to figure out where the observed cattle went across the Gila River at the Birding Area. (Dec. 6)