Agua Fria River

Wildlife Conservation and AFOSA

Wildlife conservation begins with observation.  What have you seen lately?  Any interesting birds, mammals?  The Agua Fria River Basin is a great place to see wild animals in natural habitats.  Developers are eying the Basin, and have ‘mega’ plans to fill the space with streets and houses.  But for now, we only need to step out our doors to see native vegetation, birds, and insects.  This blog will report sightings and carry background information on conservation and general wildlife topics.  You can click ‘comment(s)’ at the end of the line under each post title to post a comment, and if you ‘read more’ you will find a comment space below the post.  In addition to comments, you can also sign up to post your own observations.  Remember to include when and where when you write a comment.

A resident of the chaparral-covered slopes on the east side of Dewey-Humboldt recently commented that the Western Scrub-Jays around her home had declined.  Has anyone else noticed a decline, an increase?  Earlier this year the Audubon Society announced that the last 40 years of Christmas Bird Counts showed sharp declines for most bird species. Perhaps Jays and other birds are declining in Dewey-Humboldt.  Have you noticed any changes?

AFOSA

The Agua Fria Open Space Alliance, Inc. (AFOSA) encourages accumulation and exchange of information about open space in the Agua Fria River Basin.  AFOSA was founded in Dewey, AZ in 2006.  The organization incorporated in 2007, and in 2008 received I. R. S. recognition as a tax-exempt nonprofit charity under section 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. Tax Code.  Contributions are tax exempt.  Click here for more AFOSA’s formation.

AFOSA is named for the Agua Fria River that flows above and below ground from Glassford Hill east of Prescott, Arizona to the Gila River west of Phoenix.  AFOSA is principally concerned with the 1500 square-mile upper portion of the river’s watershed.  There, despite small dams and reservoirs on its tributaries, the river rages wildly after summer thunderstorms, and many stretches of beautiful semi-natural riparian vegetation cover its banks.

AFOSA GOALS

The natural elements of the Basin have not been inventoried in sufficient detail to permit monitoring to begin.  Moreover, accomplishing the goals will be meaningful only with public interest and support.  The Wildlife Blog was begun to help build interest.  Its impact on wildlife conservation in the region will be cumulative, and other than counts of visits to the blog, may not achieve measurable/visible effects for several years.