Nature Conservancy

The Tumamoc Hill Desert Laboratory 1992 – 1994

Tumamoc Hill Desert Laboratory 1992 – 1994

The Desert Laboratory was founded in 1903 by the Carnegie Institution to further arid lands research. Scientists early on established permanent vegetation research plots on Tumamoc Hill, an 869-acre preserve now surrounded by Tucson city development. Some of these same plots continue to be studied making the Desert Laboratory one of the longest environmental reasearch projects in history. Today the photographs and collections of the laboratory form the basis of understanding of how our present environment is part of a long continuum of desert change.

Amaterra provided mailing list soft-ware, helped create a newsletter, and participated in fund raisers to raise public awareness and support for the Desert Laboratory.

OUR THANKS TO AMATERRA

“This newsletter would not be possible without the enthusiastic support, energy and skills of Amaterra, a non-profit organization in service to the Earth.

Amaterra sponsors caretaking projects throughout the Southwest: at Sand Canyon Pueblo in Colorado for over a period of eight years, they cataloged plants and animals, collected meteorological data, and built a field research support facility for Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. At the Nature Conservancy’s Canelo Hills Preserve near Sonoita, Arizona, they restored some of the preserve’s nineteenth century buildings and provided round the clock caretaking for two and a half years.

Amaterra has now chosen Tumamoc Hill and the Desert Lab as a place worthy of protection, preservation and sponsorship. Our deep thanks especially go to Roger Irwin, president, board member Otis Bronson and Advisory Committee Member Nancy Wall. Otis Bronson, in particular, is contributing his skills as layout editor for Tumamoc. Amaterra donated the Filemaker Program which has facilitated our communication and record keeping beyond measure! Finally, Amaterra contributes significant financial support for the publication of our newsletter. Muchas gracias,” Martha Ames Burgess, Editor (October, 1993)

Find out more about Tumamoc today at: http://tumamoc.arizona.edu/

Amaterra: Caretaking Canelo Hills Sanctuary 1987 -1989

Amaterra: Caretaking Canelo Hills Sanctuary 1987 -1989

During the spring and summer of 1987 Amaterra began caretaking and restoration of Canelo Hills Sanctuary as a service project for the owner -the Arizona Nature Conservancy. Amaterra’s overall goals were to provide site security, restoration and repair of the historically important buildings, greet and assist visitors, assist in research, and protect the valuable ecosystem. Karen Seger served as project director and liaison between Amaterra and the Nature Conservancy. Under Karen’s leadership Amaterra members were able to provide year round seven day per week caretaking of the property and the maintenance of a an interpretive visitor center for the public. All Amaterra members directly involved with the work of Canelo became members of the Nature Conservancy. Members kept detailed weather records and regularly assisted the Preserve Manager in stream flow measurements.

Amaterra completed all of its major goals during the twenty-eight months ending September 1989. In order to continue the work, after this date, several members organized a group named, “Friends of Canelo.” Although, at that time, Amaterra officially ceased its work at Canelo, “Friends of Canelo” continues the work to this day.

“On behalf of the Nature Conservancy, I would like to extend a thank you to Amaterra for the many contributions to the Conservancy’s Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve between 1987 and 1989… Much very important work occurred during Amaterra’s service time at Canelo including the stabilization and restoration of the historically significant buildings on the preserve. Much of the work, if not performed when it was, would have allowed conditions to deteriorate to such an extent that we might not have been able to continue with them…Thank you for your dedication to Canelo and I look forward to working with you in the future.”

-Jeffrey Cooper,
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Manager, August 2, 1994

Tag: Nature Conservancy

The Tumamoc Hill Desert Laboratory 1992 – 1994

Amaterra: Caretaking Canelo Hills Sanctuary 1987 -1989