We aren’t finished with our work at the Oracle Road wildlife crossings just yet!
We are grateful to be one of the nine organizations chosen in 2024 to receive a Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area grant. This second phase of our project will include quarterly Habitat Restoration Days and educational workshops. Further Enhancement of a Critical Wildlife Corridor in the Santa Cruz Watershed aligns with the objectives of the SCVNHA with its focus on protecting natural resources and building ecological resilience.
Our focus will be to build on the foundational work we have done over the last year by maintaining the plants on the bridge, continuing our invasive species management, repairing and mitigating the effects of erosion, surveying the wildlife funnel fencing for damage, and holding educational workshops for local youth. By enhancing this habitat, we have protected a connected environment and provided multiple routes for animals to safely cross this six-lane highway between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains. With this renewed funding – we will keep up our momentum!
Since August 2023, we have worked diligently with our volunteers and partners, Strategic Habitat Enhancements and Bat Conservation International, to plant over 100 native plants at the wildlife crossings. These plants add biodiversity to the habitat and provide resources for native pollinators. While these plants establish, they’ll take all the help they can get, which means lots of water! When the time is right, we will also be spreading seed-balls at the crossings to increase the plant diversity in this restoration area.
As for the invasive species, we will be surveying for new buffelgrass sprouts that have popped up since our last treatment as well as survey for mature plants to be removed. We’ll work with volunteers to map these treatment areas on iNaturalist to keep track of our progress.
To connect the wildlife crossings, there are 5 miles of wildlife funnel fencing in this area, 1 mile north of the bridge and 4 miles south, connecting the bridge and underpass. Complete wildlife funnel fencing is important to the success of a wildlife crossing, as it guides the animals to the structure. (After all, they can’t read wildlife signs!) During our buffelgrass survey, we will also assess the wildlife funnel fencing for damage that could allow animals to attempt to cross Oracle Road at grade and report any damage to the Arizona Department of Transportation for repair.
Here are the new Habitat Restoration Days that you can get involved in:
These workdays are an opportunity to involve you, our community, in real and long-lasting restoration and conservation efforts that benefit local wildlife. We are beyond thrilled to invite you back to the Oracle Road wildlife crossings!
December 14th 8am-10am: Highway Cleanup and Buffelgrass Management -> RSVP
January 10th & 11th – 8am-12pm: Erosion Control Workshop in Partnership with Kelsey Landreville from Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources and Carianne from Strategic Habitat Enhancements. -> RSVP
March 22nd – 8am-12pm: Native Plant Maintenance in Partnership with Carianne Funicelli from Strategic Habitat Enhancements -> RSVP
Interested in being a part of the solution? RSVP for one of our upcoming Habitat Restoration Days today and join our team!
The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area connects people to the historic and cultural foundations and the living landscapes of the Santa Cruz Valley and actively works towards its long-term stewardship. Thank you for your support in funding this project!
