Arizona Game & Fish Commission Archives - Arizona Heritage Alliance

AZGFD and its Arizona Partners Put Record $24 million into Wildlife Conservation in 2023

September 22, 2024 by azheritage2

Press Release: Arizona Game and Fish – September 18, 2024

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), partnering with Arizona’s wildlife conservation organizations, put a combined total of $24.2 million into on-the-ground projects for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife conservation in 2023.

Equally impressive to the dollar amount was the teamwork it took to make these projects happen: 151 conservation partners helped complete 867 distinct efforts. See the summary list of projects, funding amounts and partners.

“It’s a great achievement, but we couldn’t have done it without all of our partners,” said Dan Sturla, AZGFD’s Landowner Relations & Habitat Enhancement program manager. “It’s all hands on deck to get that amount of money on the ground.” Although project selection focused on those involving game species and projects that improved hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the state, many non-game species will benefit from this work as well.

“For example,” said Kyle Dutro, AZGFD habitat enhancement coordinator, “projects that involve removing encroaching woody vegetation from historic grasslands can benefit everything from pronghorn and elk to prairie dogs, ferrets, and other grassland obligate species.”

The summary list is Arizona-specific. While federal partners make significant contributions to the state’s wildlife, this list highlights what was done by AZGFD and its in-state, non-governmental partners. “Although some of our efforts may include federal funding,” said Sturla, “we wanted to focus this list on efforts led by non-federal partners.” A record-breaking year of investment in Arizona’s wildlife is exciting on its own and it’s also helping build momentum for the future. “As soon as good things are done for wildlife, it grows and we bring in more and more partners,” said Jake Jaeger, AZGFD Landowner Relations program coordinator. “It wouldn’t surprise me if next year it’s even bigger.”

A few highlights of the conservation work benefitting Arizona and its wildlife:

Aquatic Projects

Almost $2 million dollars for fish stockings, including 51 Community Fishing Program lakes across the state; walleye, crappie and largemouth bass stockings in Region 6; five Colorado river rainbow trout stockings; youth events; and more.
Over $1.5 million for the operation and maintenance of fish hatcheries, enabling over 600 stockings of sport fish at 100 locations across Arizona.
$124,000 for aquatic habitat enhancement, including 241 structures placed at Alamo Lake; fish habitat structures installed in Show Low Lake; as well as structures installed in three reservoirs.

Terrestrial Projects

Over $14 million for habitat enhancement and restoration, including 15,000 acres of grassland, browse, and forest restoration efforts to improve forage and habitat for a variety of wildlife; the removal of 44 acres of invasive tamarisk near I-85; restoration of Tacna Marsh; migratory bird crop planting; and increased public recreational access.
$2.6 million in wildlife water building and repair, including a rain tank rebuild in Kaibab National Forest; constructing a wildlife water at Whitewater Draw; and redeveloping, constructing and performing major maintenance of wildlife waters statewide.
$725,000 for big game population surveys.
Over $200,000 in special projects, including monitoring deer and sheep for Gonzales pass crossing and translocating turkeys from Region 1 to Region 6.

Trust for Public Land helps secure land for Arizona’s newest state park

April 8, 2024March 23, 2024 by azheritage2

Source: AZBigMedia – March 22, 2024

Trust for Public Land, in partnership with Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT), Yavapai County, Nature Conservancy, and Town of Chino Valley, announced the protection of 734 acres that is now owned by ASPT. A new state park will not only connect folks to the outdoors but will protect Sullivan Lake at the start of the Verde River, enable the extension of the Peavine National Recreation Trail from Prescott to the river, and preserve history of great importance to Arizona.

Arizona State Parks and Trails plans to develop its newest park on the newly acquired land. Following a comprehensive planning process, ASPT will be able to offer additional outdoor recreation opportunities in north-central Arizona.The property contains the same abandoned rail bed that will enable the extension of the Peavine National Recreation Trail, one of the few “rail to trail projects” in the state, from its start at Watson Lake and Granite Dells in nearby Prescott to the start of the Verde River, a distance of 25 miles. It will result in a trail available for a variety of non-motorized recreational uses including mountain biking, horse riding and hiking.

“Having the opportunity to protect such an important outdoor space like Del Rio Springs doesn’t come around every day and TPL is proud to have worked to support the creation and enhancement of diverse outdoor recreation, while sustaining the integrity of natural aquifers, maintaining community heritage and rural character, and promoting compatible economic opportunities in the Greater Chino Valley area,” saidMichael Patrick, Senior Project Manager for Trust for Public Land.

Through a community-based master planning process coordinated by a landscape architect hired by Trust for Public Land, over 30 organizations from public agencies to colleges to nonprofit organizations, and the public at large described the importance of conserving this special place.

Protection of this property will result in nearly all of the first 25 miles of the Verde River being in public ownership (from the property’s Sullivan Lake to Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Upper Verde Wildlife Management Area and land owned by Arizona State Land Department to the Prescott National Forest). This upper stretch of the Verde River is actively being proposed for Wild and Scenic River status, a Congressional designation that would maintain the river’s ecosystems and protect clean water supplies for future generations.

The land also includes a significant part of its namesake, Del Rio Springs. These springs were historically so prolific that they provided the only source of water for many northern Arizona communities including Ash Fork, Seligman, Williams, and the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Railroad maps show the location of the “Puro” railroad stop on the property in which rail cars were loaded with water from the springs to serve those distant communities. In the early 1900’s, the City of Prescott installed one of the first steam-powered water pumps in the Southwest to provide drinking water by a 20-mile wooden pipeline from these springs to Prescott. Del Rio Springs now lies on the new property owned by Arizona State Parks in addition to several parcels owned by Town of Prescott Valley and City of Prescott, who are collaborating on the project.

“We are excited to bring a state park to the Prescott and Chino Valley area,” said Bob Broscheid, executive director of Arizona State Parks and Trails. “We will begin our long-term planning for this project with extensive public input and stakeholder collaboration, ensuring that this new park meets the needs of our residents, visitors, and partners.”

A substantial portion of the funds to acquire the land, $6 million, was provided by the Arizona Legislature through a capital appropriation in the current year’s state budget to ‘create a new state park at the headwaters of the Verde River’. This funding initiative was led by Arizona Senator Sine Kerr and Representative Selina Bliss, and also supported by local state legislators Senator Ken Bennett and Representative Quang Nguyen.

In addition to providing outdoor recreation and protecting the Verde River and springs, the property offers opportunities to protect and interpret early history of statewide importance. Following the establishment of the Arizona territory in 1863, the first capital of the territory was located on the property for a short while, as part of the original Fort Whipple, before being moved to Prescott.

Following purchase of the land by a subsidiary of the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in 1913, the Fred Harvey Company partnered with the railroad to establish a farm to raise poultry & beef and produce ice, eggs and other foods here to supply their premier chain of hotels along the rail line connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. Trust for Public Land plans to acquire additional adjacent land with more historic buildings for preservation and interpretation later this year.

Yavapai County contributed $1.5 million towards the purchase of the land with funds available to it through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. County Supervisor Craig Brown has been a champion of this project for the economic benefits and jobs that a new state park can bring to the surrounding rural communities of Chino Valley and Paulden.

“This seals the deal with the Town of Chino Valley and the State Park system to bring recreational opportunities and economic development to the area,” said Craig Brown, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. “Yavapai County has been happy to participate with technical assistance and project funding for this important historic preservation project.” The Town of Chino Valley also has been a strong supporter of the project, particularly due to increased tourism that it anticipates from tourism, benefits in attracting new businesses to the area and providing more outdoor recreation for its residents.

Given the importance of protecting the Verde River, The Nature Conservancy provided a major grant that was critical to the success of this project. Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, a substantial philanthropic funder for protection and restoration work on the Verde, also provided a grant to Trust for Public Land that was instrumental in project costs.

“This project is a win for conservation, recreation and historical preservation at one of our state’s incomparable places near the Verde River’s headwaters. It is especially remarkable to see the collaboration between the partners involved. The Nature Conservancy is proud to support Trust for Public Land and all of the partners and be a part of the designation of this new state park,”said Dan Stellar, Arizona state director, The Nature Conservancy.

The sellers of the property, Bob O’Rear and Jim Brown of Del Rio Springs Loan Partners LLC, also made a major contribution to the project by selling the land at a significant discount from its appraised value. They were represented by Land Advisors Organization, one is the nation’s largest land brokerage firms. The firm’s Conservation Division provides expertise in developing multi-generational land strategies and assisting clients in leaving a conservation legacy.

“The new State Park will be an incredible asset to my hometown of Chino Valley,” said Heather Reading, Conservation Advisor for Land Advisors Organization. “We are thrilled to have helped Del Rio Springs Loan Partners and the project partners leave this incredible legacy that celebrates the history of Del Rio Springs Ranch and provides a better opportunity to connect people to the headwaters of the Verde River.”

Local Opinion: A sensible way to take are of our Parks

March 16, 2024 by azheritage2

William Thornton Special to the Arizona Daily Star – March 14, 2024

As a resident of Southern Arizona, I am speaking up to emphasize the importance of supporting Senate Concurrent Resolution 1038**, which aims to place an initiative on the November 2024 ballot to restore full funding for the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund. This initiative would allocate $10 million annually from the Arizona Lottery to support our local, regional, and state parks, historic preservation, non-motorized trails and outdoor education.

Our fondest childhood memories often involve neighborhood parks and exploring Arizona’s natural wonders. These outdoor spaces not only offer recreational opportunities but also serve as economic engines for host communities. Park visitors buy gas and groceries, they dine in local restaurants and stay overnight in local motels/hotels.

A study commissioned by the city of Show Low revealed that each camper at nearby Fool Hollow State Park contributed on average $100 per day to the city’s economy.

More than three decades ago, Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the State Parks Heritage Fund, recognizing the need to safeguard our state’s natural and historic heritage. But in recent years funding has been inconsistent. Due to budget shortfalls, Parks Heritage Funds have been “swept” into the general fund, hindering our ability to adequately maintain and enhance our parks and historic sites.

Past legislative efforts have made strides toward restoring funding to the State Parks Heritage Fund, but it is clear that a sustainable long-term solution is needed. By placing SCR 1038 on the ballot voters will have the opportunity to ensure a dedicated funding source for our parks, trails, historic and cultural sites for years to come.

With the 2024 legislative session underway and the Arizona Lottery encumbrances resolved, it is imperative that we take decisive action to reinstate full funding for our state parks through a ballot initiative. The Arizona Heritage Alliance, along with numerous environmental and conservation-oriented organizations as well as concerned citizens are advocating for this comprehensive approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of our parks and cultural resources.

As we confront challenges such as urban sprawl and wildfires that threaten our open spaces and historic sites, investing in our State Parks Heritage Fund is not just a matter of preserving the past but also safeguarding our future. We urge fellow Arizonans to support SCR 1038 and vote in favor of reinstating funding for the State Parks Heritage Fund in the upcoming November 2024 election. Let us reaffirm our commitment to preserving Arizona’s natural beauty and cultural legacy for generations to come.

Parks Heritage Funds are not an expense; they are an investment that provides affordable outdoor recreational opportunities for Arizonans and visitors to our state.

William Thornton is a second-generation Arizona native, lifelong conservationist and outdoor enthusiast.

**Update on SCR1038 – Unfortunately on 3/7/2024 the Senate failed to pass SCR1038 (15-13-2). The Arizona Heritage Alliance is regrouping and will continue to work towards restoring the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund back in the Lottery.

Resolution to Boost State Parks Clears Arizona Senate Committee

February 23, 2024 by azheritage2

Missoula current.com – Joe Duhownik / State Newsroom – Published February 21,2024

PHOENIX (CN) — Arizona is once again a step closer to reinstating consistent state park funding, which has been missing from the annual budget since 2008. On Tuesday, the Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee voted 5-4 on a resolution that would annually allocate $10 million of the leftover state lottery fund to the Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund.

“As stewards of Arizona’s rich heritage and natural treasures, it is our duty to uphold the will of the people and safeguard our state’s legacy,” Jim McPherson, president of the Arizona Heritage Alliance, told the Senate committee Tuesday. “SCR 1038 presents an opportunity to honor the resounding voice of Arizona voters, who in 1990 overwhelmingly supported the allocation of lottery funds to improve our parks, preserve our cultural heritage, protect wildlife, and promote economic development and tourism across Arizona.”

The annual allocation went into effect in 1991. The next year, the nonprofit Arizona Heritage Alliance was created to help state parks apply the funds. But lawmakers stopped the annual deposit in response to the 2008 global recession. Instead, that money was swept into the general fund. Thirteen state parks were closed in the immediate aftermath.

“We were broke as a state,” said Russ James, vice president of the Arizona Heritage Alliance. “We did it because we felt we had to do it.”Russ was a state representative when the state nixed the annual transfer. “We’re gonna do this, but once the emergency is over, we’re gonna restore this,” he recalled saying at the time. “That was the plan, and it never got restored.”

From 2009 to 2019, the Arizona Heritage Alliance lobbied for bills to replace the funding. It was successful in 2019 when a Senate bill reinstated the State Parks Heritage Fund, but the bill doesn’t allow for annual lottery transfers until 2029.

Since then, the alliance has been unsuccessfully lobbying to return an annual lottery transfer to the state park fund. It got close in 2022 when a bill allotting $3 million annually passed through the Senate, but the bill was never assigned to a House committee.

Jones said upkeep of public parks is critical to the economic development of rural Arizona towns.“These are kind of the cultural centers of all these little communities,” he said outside the committee hearing after the senators voted. “Without these funds, these parks would fall into decay and not be serviceable.”

Republican Senator Sine Kerr of Yuma responded to the alliance’s pleas, sending the decision to voters via a resolution rather than sponsoring a traditional bill. “If it’s their wish that these funds be protected, then they’ll vote aye,” Jones said of the voters. “If not, then I won’t be back here the year after.”

With the Arizona Voter Protection Act now in place, it would be much harder for the state to reverse a voter-supported resolution than in the past. Arizona’s 34 state parks haven’t gone completely without funding. The alliance and other lobbyists successfully garnered some funds for the parks in smaller, one-time payments rather than an annual allocation.

The fund received $5 million in the fiscal year 2022 budget, $2.5 million in the 2023 budget and $6 million in the 2024 budget. Fifty percent of the fund goes to outdoor recreation and open space development, 30% goes to historic preservation projects, 10% goes to maintaining non-motorized trails, and 10% goes to outdoor and environmental education. Since the fund’s inception, investments combined with local matching funds have amounted to $207 million spent on statewide projects, according to the Arizona Heritage Alliance.

Republican senators on the committee were split on the resolution. Sponsor Kerr, as well as Ken Bennett of Phoenix and John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills voted in support. Jake Hoffman of Queen Creek, Anthony Kern of Glendale and Brian Farnsworth of Mesa voted against it. Only one Democrat, Juan Mendez of Tempe, voted against the resolution. Brian Fernandez of Yuma and Lela Alston of Phoenix voted in support. No senators asked questions or explained their votes. The bill will soon be sent to the House floor for a full vote.