In May 2021, WMG visited the Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area, and found cows in the creek! We encouraged you, our members, to respond and tell the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about this sighting, and there was an overwhelming response. Thank you to everyone who contacted BLM about the cows in the creek, you helped make a difference for this important riparian area.
In the last few weeks, BLM contacted Lisa Shipek, WMG's Executive Director. They wanted to let us know that they are working with the ranchers in the area to prevent cows getting into the creek. One group of livestock has already been removed from the headwaters of Ciénega Creek. The lease holder's ranch hands repaired some areas of damaged fence around the creek as well.
BLM is also working with the adjacent landowner to repair the boundary fence up near the northern most point of Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area and to remove the livestock that have been observed.
Keep a look out for more updates on Las Ciénegas National Conservation Area and the Beaver Release that is planned.
To get more involved in WMG’s Release the Beavers campaign and riparian restoration work, simply sign up for WMG’s River Run Network. Membership is free and includes an email newsletter with river-focused activities and news in Southern Arizona.
The River Run Network is a program that honors our heritage of flowing arroyos, creeks, and rivers and the value that water holds for the peoples of Southern Arizona. In particular, we acknowledge the indigenous communities that have respected and stewarded our rivers for thousands of years and the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O’odham, and Latino communities that continue to steward the rivers today. We invite people of all ages, diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, beliefs, and many other diverse communities to participate in restoring our heritage of seasonal and year-round water flows. No matter where you live, all of our communities and neighborhoods working together benefit from the restoration of water flows.
