Events

ARIZONA SECTION SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT
2009 SUMMER MEETING PROGRAM
Payson, Arizona
July 22-24, 2009

Theme:

"Lessons Learned To Mitigate Future Catastrophic Fire Impacts on Arizona Rangelands"

When:

July 23-24, 2009

Where:

Houston Mesa Horse Camp, Payson, Arizona

Contact:

Al Medina
Phone: (928) 853-1391
E-mail: almedina777@hotmail.com

Printable Program, Agenda and Registration Form (pdf)
Printable Registration Form (pdf)

In 1990, the Dude Fire was the largest wildfire in Arizona history at 24,174 acres. This 2-day summer workshop examines long-term changes in rangeland and riparian conditions resulting from the 1990 Dude Wildfire, including wildlife management issues related to the Chiricahua leopard frog, fisheries, elk, and rangeland restoration. A "Lessons Learned" session will culminate Thursday field sessions. On Friday, we will (1) visit a demonstration site of a permittee's incorporation of P-J treatments into his range management plans, and (2) participate in a demonstration/discussion with soil scientists on the applicability of Ecological Site Descriptions, a new way of understanding range site potential.

Our base camp will be at the Houston Mesa Horse Camp group site just outside (North) of Payson (see Camp Notes below for directions). We have reserved two units - Fox#1 and Fox#2, each with capacity of up to 65 people. Sites are reserved and there is no charge for attendees. The campsite is located north of Payson, of Houston Mesa Road, and about � mile east of Highway 87-Houston mesa Rd intersection.

Wednesday, July 22

Travel to Payson and set up camp.
4:00-6:00 PM - Board meeting
6:00-7:00 PM - Dinner (on your own)
Evening Program

7:30 PM "History of logging and grazing in the Rim Country" (Patty Henderson)
8:00 PM "The Dude Fire - A Fire management officer's view" (Pat Velasco)

8:30-10:00 PM - Camp Social featuring Jeff Schalau and "Jamming Under the Rim Band"!

Thursday, July 23

6:30-7:30 AM - Breakfast
7:45 - Overview of the day's program - Jim Sprinkle, Al Medina
Travel and Safely Tailgate
8:00-9:00 - TRAVEL TO Ellison Creek (La Cienega Ranch)
9:15 - Welcome - Phil Daugherty (10 min)
9:25 - Walk to Creek
9:40 - Introduction - Fire Effects (Al Medina)
9:45 - Background/History - Steve Gunzel (Payson DR, retired)
10:15 - Long-term Effects on Upland Vegetation - Jackson Leonard (RMRS)
10:40 - Long-term Effects on Riparian Systems (Channel, Veg.) - Al Medina (RMRS)
11:10 - Post-fire Wildlife Management
11:15 - Fish - Bob Calamusso (Tonto NF)
11:30 - Chiricahua leopard frog - Mike Sredl (AGFD)
11:45 - Elk - Henry Apfel (AGFD)

12:00-1:00 PM - LUNCH

1:00 - Travel to weeping lovegrass study site on Roberts Mesa Road
1:30 - ARRIVE weeping lovegrass study site
1:45 - Experimental treatments using forage blocks - Ray Tanner
(Permittee), Jim Sprinkle (UA), Doug Tolleson (UA), Chris Thiel (USFS)

2:30 - Lessons learned Session - Facilitator (Al Medina)

Forest Fire Manager - Pat Velasco, Retired FMO (5-10 min)
Forest Soil Scientist - Norm Ambos (5-10 min)
Landowner/Permittee - TBA (5-10 min)
Community/Safety - Robb Beery, Bonita Creek (5-10 min)
Community/Manager - Tommie Martin, Gila Co. Bd. Supervisors (10 min)
Tonto National Forest Range/Wildlife - Chris Thiel/Don Luhrsen (5-10 min)
AUDIENCE DISCUSSION 30 MIN

3:45 - End of program / Travel back to Horse Campground

6:00 - 7:00 PM: Chuck Wagon Dinner (Bopper Catering)
7:00 - 10:00 PM: Entertainment by popular request - "Jamming Under the Rim Band"!

Friday, July 24

6:30-7:30 - Breakfast
7:45 - Overview of the day's program - Chris Thiel, Don Luhrsen
8:00-8:30 - Travel to a Houston Mesa study sites
8:45 - PJ treatment demonstration - Chris Thiel, Ray Tanner

9:30 - Ecological Site Description demonstration - Don Luhrsen
(USFS) George Robertson, Norm Ambos, (NRCS) Steve Cassady, Dan Robinett, Scott Stratton

11:45 - END OF PROGRAM

12:00 - Return to Horse Campground

CAMP NOTES
Houston Mesa Horse Campground is on north Beeline Highway (AZ 260/87), about 1.9 miles from the intersection of the Beeline Highway and the Heber Highway. From this intersection proceed north on 260/87 past the traffic control circle on Tyler PkWay, then make a right turn (East) unto Houston Mesa Road about � mile from the control circle, then make another right unto the Horse Campground. Select your campground unit of choice.

Additional maps are posted on azrangelands.org.

The Ramada located at the large parking lot will serve as the principal meeting place for meetings meals and social gatherings.

Meals
Breakfast and Lunches: Courtesy of ASU Range Club
Thursday Chuck-Wagon Dinner Menu:

Smothered Steak
Beans
Fried Potatoes
Salad
Biscuits
Peach and Cherry Cobbler
Lemonade and Iced Tea

Hotels
A block of 20 rooms is being held until July 8, at the Best Western Payson Inn, 801 N. Beeline Highway. This hotel is located about 2.5 miles south of Houston Mesa Road. Call directly to make a reservation and ask for the "SRM MEETING" rates: (928)-474-3241 or 800-247-9477. Room rates are $79.99/night for Wednesday and Thursday, and $99.99 for Friday night.

Other Hotels in Payson
Holiday Inn, 206 S. Beeline Highway: 1 877 865 6578
Days Suites Payson, 301 A South Beeline Highway: 928-474-9800
Majestic Mountain inn, 602 E. Highway 260: (928) 474-0185
Super 8 Motel, 809 East Highway 260: (928) 474-5241
Budget Inn, 302 S. Beeline Highway: 928-474-2201
Paysonglo Lodge, 1005 South Beeline Highway: 800) 772-9766
America's Best Value Inn, 811 S. beeline Highway: 928-474-2283 Matazal Hotel and Casino, 0.5 mile south of Payson on 87: (928) 474 6044
Motel 6 of Payson, Highway 87 at 101 W. Phoenix St.: 928-474-4526

Miscellaneous
Lodging Guide: http://www.paysonroundup.com/community/lodging/