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Spring Education Walks Since 1988, the Friends of Madera Canyon has worked with local schools to bring students to Madera Canyon where they can experience, observe, and learn about the nature of the canyon. The Friends Education Director coordinates the 4th Grade Nature Walks program, contacting participating 4th grade teachers to schedule walks in the spring and fall. Friends docent volunteers, well-versed in subjects of Madera Canyon/Sky Island natural history such as ecology, zoology, botany, geology, and archeology, lead students around the Proctor Accessible Nature Loop Trail in small groups. The main objective of the nature walks is for students to discover their own powers of observation to become "field naturalists" exploring along the trail through the four plant communities that flank intermittently-flowing Madera Creek. Additionally, there are two presentation stations on the trail. At White House Station, students learn about the historic White House ruin and relevant canyon history. At the Matate Station, students learn about the Native American presence in Madera Canyon, grind mesquite beans in a real bedrock mortar with a stone mano, and taste mesquite flour cookies. |
Madera Canyon Coati Doug Moore photo used with permission
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Spring Walks -
Thursday, February 28th: Docent Orientation and training, 10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon, Friends in Deed, Room C.
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Thursday, March 7th: Docent Proctor Walk-around, 10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon, Proctor Nature Loop Trailhead, Madera Canyon
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Thursday, March 14th: first Mountain View School nature walk, 9:45 AM- 12:00 Noon, Proctor Parking Area, Madera Canyon
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Thursday, March 21st: second Mountain View School nature walk, 9:45 AM- 12:00 Noon, Proctor Parking Area, Madera Canyon
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Thursday, April 25th: first San Cayetano School nature walk, 9:45 AM- 12:00 Noon, Proctor Parking Area, Madera Canyon
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Thursday, May 2nd: second San Cayetano School nature walk, 9:45 AM- 12:00 Noon, Proctor Parking Area, Madera Canyon
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Saturday, May 4th: Docents scheduled and students invited to participate in International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM, Whitehouse Picnic Area, Madera Canyon
For more information on the walks or volunteering as a docent contact Doug Moore at [email protected] or 682-0459
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New Member Social Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
New and recent members of the Friends of Madera Canyon are invited to a social gathering on Saturday, March 2nd at the Friends In Deed Building, Room D. No RSVP is needed. Please feel free to arrive at any time between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. Friends In Deed is at 301 W. Camino Casa Verde, the first building on the left going west from La Ca�ada. FOMC Board members will be present to meet you and talk about activities, goals, and dreams for the future of Madera Canyon. If not for the Friends of Madera Canyon and our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Madera Canyon would be a very different place. We continue working to make it even better. return to top
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International Migratory Bird Day Madera Canyon May 4th, 2013The Friends of Madera Canyon has again accepted an invitation to host an International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) with the USFS. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Whitehouse Picnic Area in Madera Canyon. Over 250 species of birds have been reported from Madera Canyon and adjacent Santa Rita Mountains. The Madera Canyon IMBD is an opportunity to celebrate our fabulous birds and canyon, while educating the community about birds, canyon nature and local ecology. The proposed schedule includes canyon birding and nature walks, local non-profit information/merchandise tables, nature and animal programs/displays and kid's activities. Food will be provided by Outlaw BBQ from Amado, AZ. The FOMC will be recruiting volunteers to staff this event and encourages our membership to attend. Please mark your calendar now to reserve May 4th for the IMBD. As activity and schedule details are set you can learn about them on the FOMC website and in future mailings. return to top
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Arizona National Scenic Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a continuous, 800+ mile hiking, biking, and equestrian trail from Mexico to Utah. It links deserts, mountains, canyons, communities and people. Would you like to learn more about it? Sirena Dufault, Gateway Community Liaison from the Arizona Trail Association, will share stories from her mostly-solo hike of the Arizona Trail at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 25th at the Quail Creek Madera Club House Ballroom.
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An Exceptional Offer As you know, Joan Lewis, the illustrator of Madera Canyon Wildflowers, generously donated the original paintings from the book to Friends of Madera Canyon. Many have already been sold, but some excellent works still remain. These beautiful original illustrations are being offered at a special price of $35.00. Paintings can be purchased at the FOMC table at the Wednesday Farmer's Market at the Green Valley Mall at Esperanza and La Ca�ada or by contacting Dita Hagen, 520 248-2681 or [email protected].
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What Bird Is This?
In our continuing series by George West, here are three images of birds you might find in Madera Canyon - one of them is common and is there now, one you may or may not ever find there, and one comes later in spring.
The first image of the plain looking bird facing you is the common one in the canyon. The second one of the plain bird perched upright you may or may not find. The one with red on it you will find high in the canyon from late spring through summer.
All are related, two very closely. Can you name the birds?
Check your identifications and see more pictures here.
Photos copyright � 2013 by George West. Used here with permission. All Rights Reserved.
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Share Spring Flowers |
Tom Vezo photo used with permission.
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We may enjoy an outstanding display of flowers this spring in and near the canyon. If you would like to share what you are seeing with other Madera Canyon lovers, send your pictures to [email protected]. If our collection of pictures reaches critical mass we will be sending a special Spring Flowers edition of this newsletter.
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Thank You for Your Support
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Upcoming EventsSaturday, March 2nd New Member Social, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Friends In Deed. Friday, March 8th Board Meeting, 9:00 AM at Friends In Deed Friday, April 5th Board Meeting, 9:00 AM at Friends In Deed Saturday May 4th. International Migratory Bird Day, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Whitehouse Picnic Area in Madera Canyon
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FOMC BoardBoard Members Tom Purdon (President), Willem Van Kempen, (Vice-President and Treasurer), Carol Lambert (Secretary, Special Projects and Fund Raising), Judy DePasquale, Louise Gibbeson (Education and Special Events), George Cottay (VP Marketing, Newsletter Publisher, Web Master), Dita-Erika Hagen (Archives, Preservation, Nominating, Marketing), Wally Lamb (Visitor Information Station, Storage and Inventory), Jerry Popham (Bat House Research, Special Projects, Mailing), Judy Thoreson (Miles and Hours, Annual Meeting), Judy Maury (Marketing Group), Larry Johnson (VP Operations).
Others Doug Moore (Director of Education), Ruth Maloblocki (Retail Sales), Sondra Dexter (Scholarships), Mike Staples (Canyon Clean-up), Ellen and George West (Membership and Dues Administration), George West (Newsletter Editor), Rozanne Roman (Accessible Trails).
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on the webThe Santa Rita Lodge not only has a new web site but also a new display area. In a show of support and appreciation for the contributions to the canyon by the Friends Of Madera Canyon the folks at the Santa Rita Lodge generously gave a 2' X 6' X 4' display space in the Lodge.
We are now able to show people who we are and what we do in the canyon. The display is configured so we can simply and quickly change it to meet our needs at any given time. In addition to the space they are selling some of our merchandise without markup or commission. The next time you are up in the canyon stop in the lodge to see our display, browse through their retail shop and thank them for their support.
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Madera Canyon wildflowers
Those who have the Field Guide to Madera Canyon Wildflowers by Joan W. G. Lewis know what the fuss is about. The beautiful illustrations make it a small art book. Its simple organization by color makes it a useful field guide. You can purchase a copy at Friends tables and events or at the Friends Nature Shop.
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