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September 2019

Valley Metro presents on the South Central light rail extension at a public meeting held in the Rio Salado Audubon Center on August 30, 2018.

Light Rail to Expand after Prop 105 Soundly Defeated by Phoenix Voters

For the fourth time in 19 years, Phoenix voters have affirmed their support for a light rail system that reflects our vision of a healthy, modern desert city. In a win for climate, birds, and people, nearly 2/3 of voters support continued use of city funds to develop, expand, and maintain the light rail system.

Climate change is the number one threat facing birds, and in order to mitigate its worst impacts, we need to drastically reduce the carbon emissions that have been fueling it. The light rail is a less pollution-intensive option than private vehicles, allows people across the city to travel more cost-effectively, and allows communities to be more connected both to the city and to green spaces.

Read on to learn more about Proposition 105 and why Audubon supports Phoenix’s light rail program.

Audubon Arizona in the News

Western Rivers Action Network: Rare Beer Alert: Rain Crow IPA
Borderlands celebrated its second annual release of its beer honoring the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico to make Mandatory Reductions in Colorado River Water Use in 2020
With new drought plan in place, Lake Mead to enter ‘Tier Zero’ operations.
Colorado River Cuts, ABC 15
In ABC 15’s video segment, executive director Sonia Perillo is interviewed on the Drought Contingency Plan and its mandatory cuts.

A line of children look out to the sky with binoculars.

Field Trips and In-Classroom Presentations

Audubon Arizona can take your classroom out into nature, or bring nature to your classroom, with field trips to the Rio Salado Audubon Center and interactive in-classroom presentations! These one-of-a-kind programs provide hands-on, interactive, STEM-based activities that are aligned with both Arizona Science Standards.

Discounts are available for Title 1 schools. Learn more and book a program today.

Three Sandhill Cranes fly with a beautiful lush mountainous background.

Last Call: Win a Trip to See the Cranes at Rowe Sanctuary

The Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch has partnered with Iain Nicholson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary to host a raffle for a chance to experience the Sandhill Crane migration in Nebraska. Raffle tickets are $50 with proceeds benefiting Audubon. Winners will be announced on September 14, during the Ranch’s Potluck & Presentation. Call (520) 455-5522 to purchase a ticket for your chance to win! Read the details here.

A panorama of the Rio Salado Audubon Center and its pond, with one side full of water and the other side drained.

Restoring the Pond

Integral to the Rio Salado Audubon Center is our pond. It supports birds and wildlife within the restoration area, enhances our programming, and gives back to statewide conservation efforts. Also, it is an important part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s work reintroducing Gila Topminnow and Desert Pupfish, two federally endangered species, back into the Gila River Basin.

In August, we drained the pond so we could reset the habitat and rid ourselves of a few invasive species – bullfrogs, mosquitofish, and Louisiana Red Crayfish. It’s been a long summer of mucking in mud, cutting cattails, and a less-than-scenic view from our office windows, but we’re finally done! We’ve started to refill the pond and expect to reintroduce fish (maybe even a few more species than last time) in the fall.

You can support this critical piece of the Rio Salado Audubon Center here and stop by to check it out yourself anytime.

Two photos, one of Enchanted Trail volunteers pointing out glow-in-the-dark food, the other of a Birds n' Beer audience.

Audubon's New and Returning Signature Events

With the Rio Salado Audubon Center resuming its fall hours, our signature events are just around the corner– as well as a few new ones!

Birds n’ Beer kicks off its season on Thursday, September 19, with “Birds and Birding in Israel,” presented by Dan Alon and Jonathan Meyrav of the Israel Ornithological Center. Come grab a beer from Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co, learn about the differences and similarities in birding between Arizona and Israel, and enjoy live birds of prey up-close provided by Liberty Wildlife!

We are also launching Birds and Bikes, a naturalist-guided bike tour of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. BYOB(ike) on Saturday, October 12! This free, family-friendly event is sponsored by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Space is limited, so RSVP today.

Audubon’s most cherished annual event, Enchanted Trail (Sendero Encantado), runs Friday and Saturday, October 25–26. The “nature by night” festival teaches children and adults about nature, science, and Arizona's nocturnal wildlife through a scavenger hunt and several other fun activities. Our generous early bird sponsors are Merestone, the Michael Goodman Foundation, SRP, and Wells Fargo.

Audubon Arizona Events

Sept. 14: Raffle Drawing for Sandhill Crane Experience at Rowe Sanctuary

Sept. 14: Potluck & Presentation: Plant Communities in Our Changing World, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch

Sept. 19: Birds n’ Beer: Birds and Birding in Israel

Sept. 28: Girls for Birds – Girl Scouts Program

Saturdays, starting Oct. 5: Morning Bird Walk

Oct. 12: Birds and Bikes

Oct. 12: Animal Encounters

Oct. 12: Potluck & Presentation: Bat House Building Workshop

Oct. 25 and 26: Enchanted Trail/Sendero Encantado

View our fall events flyer.

Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center – Fall Hours

Tuesday–Friday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Sunday–Monday: closed

Volunteer Opportunities

Sept. 14: Volunteer Orientation

Sept. 21: Conservation Workday: River Clean-up

Partner and Chapter Events

Sept. 21: Jerusalem Bird Observatory: 25 years for birds and people, Liberty Wildlife

Sept. 21: Israel: Where Bird Migration is Defined, South Mountain Educational Center

View our list of chapters to find an event at your local center.

Lead image: Valley Metro
Field Trips and In-Classroom Presentations: Morgan Moore/Audubon
Sandhill Cranes: Gary Grossman/Audubon Photography Awards
Rio Salado Audubon Center Pond: Chantal Duquette/Audubon and Morgan Moore/Audubon
Audubon Signature Events: Morgan Moore/Audubon and Mike Fernandez/Audubon

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Audubon Arizona newsletter editor: Morgan Moore

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Audubon Arizona
3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
(602) 468-6470 az.audubon.org

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