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Our progress...
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Discovering macro invertebrates in the gulch.
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We are off and running! Ten students, and one student intern, are three sessions into our summer program.
We began the summer at Empire Gulch, introducing students to historical and biological importance of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Students toured the Ranch House and property, gaining insight into those that used the land in the past and that shaped what it is today. Hiking into Empire Gulch, students had the opportunity to learn about native wildlife and appreciate a cool reprise under the cottonwoods.
Our second session took us to the sacaton flats by Gardner Canyon. Last year's YES! students built erosion control structures using rocks and downed mesquite branches. The experiment was successful through the monsoon season of 2014, with soil accumulating around
t
 he structures and annuals becoming established. With more work possible,
Jason Field (UofA) and Gita Bodner
(TNC) introduced YES! 2015 to the
site. Students became aware of the
importance of the grasslands, and the implications locally and globally of
topsoil erosion.
Dennis Caldwell shared how habitat ponds for native species reintroduction are created. We started at Cottonwood pond, a site that has been established as a habitat for endangered leopard frogs. Students saw first hand a successful reintroduction, as they witnessed 100's of frogs leaping into the water! Students then toured Gaucho pond, a site that is still being established and potentially could use their aid.
Our third day in the field found us back at Empire Ranch, where Shela McFarlin and Chris Schrager (BLM) gave us a tour of the Grove 
House outside and background information on historical and cultural restoration. Students helped clear brush away from the building foundation, and participated i
n a mini-charrette to gather ideas on adaptive re-uses.
This year we were very lucky to have the USGS join us as partners in the YES! program. Natalie Wilson and Julian Heilman joined us in the field and did an outstanding job of
discussing the need for collecting data and documenting our actions on the land. Students were put into groups and given the task of finding marked locations using one of the following methods: maps only, GPS only, or GPS and written documentation. 
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Our Accomplishments:
YES! 2012:
Students focused their efforts at improving Cottonwood pond for future leopard frog reintroduction. They grew deer grass, purchased rocks for bank stabilization, mapped out fencing placement and designed educational signage.
The Cieneguita habitat ponds were the focus of the youths' efforts - they transplanted Huachuca water umbel, native grasses and redistributed soil. Students planned and ran a successful volunteer event. YES! logo was designed by Luca Valente, CWP's youth board member. Forty nine plugs of water umbel were transplanted, and as of this season have successfully established in the habitat.
YES! 2014:
Students completed a sacaton vegetation community restoration project to reduce erosion and increase moisture retention for seeds. The youth led 22 volunteers in removing invasive species in native habitat ponds and replanting native grasses. Youth designed educational signage, purchased rocks (to improve a frog habitat) and tools for future YES!
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YES! 2014 students at Gardner Sacaton Project.
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Learning in the Watershed 
Giant sacaton plants (Sporobolus wrightii) are a vital part of our watershed. Sacaton contribute to the health of our watershed by absorbing flood waters from our seasonal monsoons, and controlling erosion by capturing and holding soil in place. The sacaton grasslands are one of the most productive grasslands in our region due to their ability to hold water and moisture in the soil. The grasslands provide ample habitat for birds, snakes and lizards as well as food for cattle. These grasslands have been in decline throughout the southwest. Agricultural practices, lowering of our water tables and overgrazing are some of the reasons for their decline. The Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is home some of the largest remaining sacaton grasslands in the region, yet some of our sacaton stands are suffering. Students in the YES! project have focused their attention on one of these areas, and working with the Nature Conservancy, University of Arizona and Vera Earl Ranch they hope to aid in helping to restore the grassland managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
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Lend a Hand 
Please share!
If you use social media, such as Twitter or Facebook, we encourage you to use #SaveCienega on your relevant posts that celebrate and sustain the rich landscape.
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ABOUT US
Cienega means 'wetlands'. In a desert landscape where most riparian areas are threatened, we work to preserve the Cienega Creek watershed into perpetuity.
Our mission is to keep this cool desert respite - a home for significant natural and cultural resources - as a legacy for our children and their children. CWP works with all stakeholders who can impact the sustainability of the ecosytems.
Visit our website at
cienega.org
for the latest updates on the Youth Engaged Stewardship summer projects, videos form the Science on the Sonoita Plains, and Forest Service response to CWP objections to the proposed mine in the Santa Ritas.
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| YES! 
YES! 2015 Summer Intern is Jacob Cooper who works to ensure the success of the youth board. Did you know? A graduate of the YES! 2013 program and a former YES! 2014 intern is now on the CWP Board of Directors? Luca Valente.
and, our summer program could not be a success without our fearless adult leaders:
Suzanne Dhruv, ironwood Tree Experience Shela McFarlin, CWP Chris In-Albon, Vail School District & CWP
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FEATURED PARTNERS
A huge thanks to the following folks who are mentoring our youth this summer:
Gita Bodner, TNC
Jason Field, UofA
Dennis Caldwell, The Frog Project
Natalie Wilson, USGS
Julian Heilman, USGS
Jeff Simms, BLM
Mead Mier, PAG
Chris Schrager, BLM
And thanks to Ian Tomlinson for supporting YES!
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| CWP BOARD MEMBERS: Shela McFarlin, Chairman Mead Mier Larry Fisher Kelly Mott Lacroix
Thomas Meixner
Chistine In-Albon
Luca Valente
Charlotte Cook
Tahnee Robertson
CWP ADVISORY BOARD:
Dennis Caldwell
Arlan Colton
Mac Donaldson
Julia Fonseca
Trevor Hare
Travis Huxman
Laura Lopez-Hoffman
Lynsey Miller
Dan Robinette
Jennifer Ruyle
Bill Savary
Karen Simms
Steven Strom
Beth Sullivan
Ian Tomlinson
Jeff Williamson
plus many PARTNERS including you! |
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This issue written by:
Chris In-Albon
CWP Board Member and YES! Partner
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