SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

Game and Fish to host public meetings regarding management of the department’s Horseshoe Ranch property

PHOENIX – The public is invited to attend any or all of three meetings designed to take comment on the proposed development and management of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s newly acquired Horseshoe Ranch property.

The property is located about an hour north of Phoenix within the Agua Fria National Monument.  The acquisition included 200 acres of deeded land coupled with nearly 70,000 acres of grazing allotments, all of which will be under Arizona Game and Fish Department management.

Game and Fish is looking for the public’s feedback and input on various management scenarios for this site that will be presented during these meetings. Each meeting will consist of an information session highlighting the property’s history, the purposes for acquiring the property, and possible development and management scenarios, followed by an open forum session where the public’s feedback and ideas regarding the scenarios will be solicited. 

“We encourage people to attend and provide their thoughts,” said Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the department’s Mesa region. “The input will help us design future management for the ranch and wildlife area.”

Meetings will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m., Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, Eagle Room, 5000 W. Carefree Highway.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m., Black Canyon City, Albin’s Civic Center, 19055 E. K-Mine Road.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m., Mayer/Cordes Junction area, Mayer High School, Mayer (follow signs to public meeting room).

For more information, contact Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the Game and Fish Mesa region, at (480) 324-3546 or [email protected].   

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Tonto National Forest seeks volunteers for Salt River clean-up

Mesa, Ariz. (September 12, 2011) – The Lower Salt River Recreation Area is one of the busiest recreation spots on Tonto National Forest hosting thousands of visitors every summer weekend.  Unfortunately, many of these visitors leave their trash behind, creating an unsightly and dangerous mess.

To help restore this stretch of water back to its natural beauty and in celebration of National Public Lands Day, the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest, will host the 32nd Annual Salt River Clean-up on Saturday, September 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Enhancing and preserving the outstanding recreation opportunities on the Salt River is one of the missions of the Mesa Ranger District,” said District Ranger Art Wirtz. “We really need the public’s help to clean up these heavily-used recreation sites.”

Register online for the event at www.mrdvolunteers.org/lsrcleanup.html, or in person at the Pebble Beach Recreation Site from 8 to 9 a.m..  The clean-up begins immediately after registration and will continue until about noon when lunch and beverages will be provided free to volunteers.

Trash bags and parking for volunteers are free for the day’s events.  Participants are urged to wear closed-toe, rubber-soled shoes that can be worn in and around water, as well as sunscreen, and gloves.  A majority of the clean-up will occur on shore near the water; however, some efforts are needed on water. Those equipped with kayaks or rafts are encouraged to join in the clean-up.

“All the support we receive from the public during this event goes a long way toward restoring the Lower Salt,” said Wirtz. “This is a great opportunity for those who truly love our forest to give back, helping us preserve this great recreation area for the future.”

For more information, contact Rocco Minetti at the Mesa Ranger District at 480-610-3332 or contact him by e-mail at [email protected].