By Donna Stevens
For six years, UGWA has been working to eradicate invasive tamarisks (salt cedar) along the Gila River, mostly in the Gila Wilderness, but also downstream. We were fortunate to receive three grants to accomplish this work in 2021.
Tamarisks can outcompete native riparian trees and shrubs, create dense stands lacking diversity, and are poor substitutes for native willows and cottonwoods on which many species of wildlife depend.
In 2016, UGWA removed tamarisks along the Gila River in the Gila Wilderness. We revisited the same locations in 2017, searching for resprouts and new seedlings. In 2018, the work expanded to the West and Middle Forks of the Gila. Due to a Forest Service issue beyond our control, in 2019 and 2020 we were unable to treat tamarisk in the Gila Wilderness and worked instead downstream of the Gila River Bird Area.
During the 2021 field season, the tamarisk workers returned to the Gila River in the Gila Wilderness Area and down to Mogollon Creek, and again downstream of the Gila River Bird Area. For the first time, we treated tamarisk in the East Fork of the Gila. This demanding work was accomplished by our experienced, competent, and trustworthy tamarisk contractors, Zack Crockett and Mike Fugagli.
Although we’re still compiling all the data, such as numbers of stems cut and treated, what we know for sure is that about 45 miles of the mainstem Gila in the Gila Wilderness were treated, and about 15 miles on the East Fork.
Trails 2021 was the first year that UGWA ventured into trail maintenance in the Gila Wilderness. We partnered with Melissa Green, former trail crew leader for the Gila National Forest, and the Gila Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen. Our goal was to maintain 25 miles of wilderness hiking and equestrian trails, but Melissa and her dedicated crew of hard-working volunteers blew past that goal to maintain 39 miles! They prioritized trails that connected to previously maintained trails or that completed loops, or were in bad disrepair, causing human safety and erosion problems. Maintenance of trails included brushing out
trails, tread work, building cairns, and removing logs.
So much conservation work consists of campaigns that yield no tangible results, often for years. There is such satisfaction in doing on-the-ground projects like tamarisk and trail work. Instant gratification!
Many thanks to the National Forest Foundation, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, and Native Plant Society of New Mexico for funding to eradicate tamarisk, and to the National Forest Foundation and Great American Outdoors Act for trail maintenance funding.