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Arizona Conservation Projects

	ONE OF NATION'S LARGEST AQUATIC PROJECTS BENEFITS FISH At Arizona’s Lake Havasu, one of the nation's largest warm water fisheries projects provided fish habitat structures for more than 40 coves on the lake, affecting 875 surface acres. With support from Wildlife Forever, volunteers constructed netted boxes and PVC pipe structures. Along with the construction and sinking of the fish habitat structures, trails and handicapped accessible fishing docks were being built around the lake. Bass, crappie, and catfish are among the species benefiting from this project. Ninety-seven percent of anglers agree that fishing has greatly improved on the lake. The project has also been credited with saving two endangered species of fish --- the bonytail chub and razorback suckers.
	MARSH RESTORATION MARKS RETURN OF WATERFOWL When the Martinez Lake Marsh in Arizona’s Imperial National Wildlife Refuge became choked with exotic vegetation and of little benefit for most wildlife species, the refuge managers knew something had to be done. With the assistance of Wildlife Forever, more than 160 acres of wildlife habitat were restored. The project involved clearing and controlling the exotic vegetation, plus the rehabilitation of five shallow marshes and moist soil units in the refuge. The completed project provides wintering and migratory habitat for pintails, mallards, blue-winged teal, shorebirds, and water birds.
	EVERY ARIZONA 4th GRADER RECEIVED "CRITTERS" POCKET GUIDE Wildlife Forever has partnered with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to provide a "Critters of Arizona" pocket guide for each fourth grader in the state. "Critters of Arizona" provides the students with a terrific introduction to native wildlife. The pocket guides profile 50 species. Each profile includes a color photograph and information on habitat, home range, feeding and mating behavior, and tracks. Each profile also includes a "Did You Know. . .?" section that provides interesting facts specific to that species. Wildlife Forever strongly believes that conservation education will ultimately determine the future of fish and wildlife in America. Together with its partners, Wildlife Forever is teaching the youth of today to be the stewards of tomorrow.
	WILD TURKEY RE-INTRODUCTION Gould’s wild turkey has returned to its historical native range in Arizona thanks in part to your support. The Gould’s wild turkeys were wiped out by 1920 after settlement in the region. Fortunately, turkey populations remained stable in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Wildlife Forever’s $5,000 grant was used to capture fifty Gould’s turkeys from this area in Mexico and air transport them to a quarantine facility in Arizona. The birds were then released in the Chiricahua, Pinaleno and Huachuca mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona. Each of the birds is being monitored by radio telemetry to determine their home range and preferred habitat. Additional re-introductions are planned based on the information gathered. Partners on this project included the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
	FISH HABITAT FOR BARTLETT LAKE The fishing for largemouth bass and crappie in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest is much improved thanks in part to your support. This Wildlife Forever grant was used to purchase fish habitat structures. The project was a part of a 7-year effort to install fish structures throughout Bartlett Lake, northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona. The ultimate goal is 42,000 fish structures which have an expected life of 35 years or more. The structures funded by the Wildlife Forever grant were installed at Budge Island South. Over 1,000 volunteers have thus far assisted with the ongoing project, with more to come. The fishing is great at Bartlett Lake thanks to your support. When you get the chance, head out Highway 87 from Scottsdale and take advantage of the work you made possible on Bartlett Lake.