Restore Wildlife Habitat in Limestone Canyon!

• What we'll do
This Labor Day weekend AWF will again be returning to one of our favorite project sites. Limestone Canyon is located in the San Mateo Mountains, southwest of Magdalena near the Very Large Array.

THE PROJECT: Nearly two decades ago, we began working in Limestone Canyon using Bill Zeedyk's induced meandering techniques (building one-rock dams, Zuni bowls, baffles, etc.) in the ephemeral stream in the bottom of the canyon. An ancient grove of narrowleaf cottonwoods spoke to a time when the canyon bottom was more of a wet meadow. Our efforts to slow the water and allow it to spread across the valley bottom has dramatically changed the canyon. One result that speaks to the power of our efforts is these cottonwoods began sending up new shoots and growing a new generation of trees. This year, we will be partnering once again with New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors to continue to building rock and log restoration structures to build on our work from past years.

SCHEDULE: Friday, September 4 – Sunday, September 6
We will meet at the campsite on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, AWF will provide coffee, breakfast burritos, and an orientation. We will work Saturday from about 8:30-4:00, and then enjoy a potluck dinner (AWF provides bison or veggie burgers). On Sunday, we will do a few more hours of work, and people can leave whenever they would like. Since it is the long Labor Day weekend, some organizers of the project will continue camping in the area until Monday, and volunteers are welcome to camp the extra night with us.

DOGS: Dogs are permitted at this project, with the understanding that their owners are responsible for keeping them under control and out of the camp kitchen area, and avoiding conflicts with people and other dogs.

• What to bring
GEAR: Bring everything you need for a weekend of camping. For the work, don’t forget work gloves, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy boots, and sunscreen. We recommend bringing a change of shoes, and waterproof boots or boots you don’t mind getting wet or muddy. Rain gear, warm layers of clothes for the evenings, and plenty of water are essential.

FOOD: AWF will provide breakfast burritos on Saturday morning and bison or veggie burgers on Saturday evening as part of a potluck dinner. When you RSVP, please let us know if you’d like a bison or veggie burger. Please bring a dish to share for the Saturday potluck dinner, along with your own lunches, Friday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lots of water!

• Important to know
To RSVP, please email abqwildlifefederation@gmail.com and please include a phone number or email contact information so we can update you if anything changes (e.g., weather cancellation).

When you RSVP, we will send you detailed directions to the campsite and more information about the project.