Arizona Riparian Council
Fall Campout Meeting with the
Arizona Hydrological Society's Flagstaff Chapter
at
The Nature Conservancy's Shield Ranch
near Camp Verde
October 22-23, 2011 – Saturday & Sunday

Please join us for this year's Arizona Riparian Council's Fall Meeting that will be jointly held with the Arizona Hydrological Society's Flagstaff Chapter. This year's meeting will be at The Nature Conservancy's Shield Ranch, located about 3 miles south of Camp Verde (see map link below). Plan on coming and meeting some new friends!

The Nature Conservancy acquired the 306-acre Shield Ranch in 2010. The property was acquired for its riparian values which include portions of West Clear Creek and the Verde River. To see some photos of the Ranch go to this Picassa Web Album.

On Saturday afternoon, we will hear from three speakers. Chip Norton, Friends of the Verde River Greenway, will talk about the Verde River invasive management plan. Arizona Game and Fish will talk about native fish plans, and Brenda Smith, Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will speak on the Strategic Habitat Conservation in the Verde River Watershed Focus Area Plan.

We will have some free time to explore the area after the speakers. You can explore on your own or join Kim Schoenek, Heather Reading, and Jeanmarie Haney as they lead a walk to the top of the white cliff and talk about The Nature Conservancy Verde River activities.

Registration for the campout includes the cost of dinner, which will be a BBQ dinner catered by Babe's, a local restuarant; snacks on Saturday; and beverages Saturday evening. Please provide your own lunches (Sat and Sun) and breakfast Sunday morning. On Sunday, we will pack up and drive to West Clear Creek campground where Kim will lead us on a hike along West Clear Creek. During the hike she will discuss how she is working with the local ditch associations to conserve water flows in the Verde which will benefit habitat.

Please indicate on the registration form if you want a vegetarian meal. A $20/adult and $15/child fee (children under 10 are free) if you pay by check. Please make your check payable to the Arizona Riparian Council and mail to Cindy Zisner. You may also pay online through Paypal at a cost of $25/adult and $15/child (which includes addltional handling fees). Kids are definitely invited, however, there is a NO PETS policy so you will have to leave your four-footed kids at home. In order to finalize our plans, please register and pay by Friday, October 7, 2011.

So that everyone has a good experience we need to limit the number of people to 40. Those 40 will be the first registered and first paid. We will keep a waiting list.

Plese submit all registration forms electronically (Cindy.Zisner@asu.edu) and indicate on the form if you paid through Paypal. If you are paying by check please send the check to:

Cindy D. Zisner
Arizona Riparian Council,
Global Institute of Sustainability
Arizona State University
PO Box 875402
Tempe, AZ 85287-5402

Phone for questions (480) 965-2490 or email Cindy.Zisner@asu.edu.

Time to Meet

1:00 pm at on Saturday at Shield Ranch. Map to Shield Ranch. Continue through gate and follow signs to parking area.

What to Bring

Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag), folding chair, river shoes (if you wade into the river), and water to drink. Bring food for lunch on Saturday and breakfast and lunch onr Sunday. Water is available at the Ranch. The temperatures may be potentially cool at night so pack accordingly. Feel free to bring your kayak but you are on your own with logistics.

ARC will Provide

Snacks, drinks and dinner Saturday night. Port-a-potties will be available near the camp site.