Finding unconventional partners working together is not uncommon in rural southeast Arizona. The Fort Huachuca Sentinel Landscape, established in 2015, worked to bring together a variety of local, state, and Federal partners to tackle the critical land use and resource issues in the region, including water quantity and quality; long-term agricultural viability; native habitat restoration; and military mission protection.
Goals
The Fort Huachuca Sentinel Landscape Partnership (FHSLP) Strategic Plan for 2019 – 2024 outlines objectives to help the Partnership preserve the working and rural character of the landscape, strengthen the economies of farms, ranches, and forests, conserve habitats and natural resources, and protect vital test and training missions conducted on Fort Huachuca.
Endangered and at-risk Species Protection
Along with the land restoration for further Fort use, the FHSLP is working near springs, seeps, and creeks to improve the habitats of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species. The group will work to develop reasonable measures to increase and improve additional off Fort habitats to minimize the impact on the species. These measures help protect the Cochise Conservation and Recharge habitats and landscape connectivity. With coordination by the FHSLP in developing or improving off Fort habitats, the group may be able to improve the population numbers or these species.
How are they raising awareness?
Working with RAIN the FHSL group hosted a Sentinel Landscape Restoration Project Showcase Event. The purpose of the event was to make the public and agencies aware of the land management, conservation and restoration efforts being undertaken in and around Fort Huachuca. They had nearly 100 attendees interested in learning about the efforts to further conserve, protect, and advance the Fort Huachuca land. We look forward to hearing more as their project develops!
The Arizona Rural Activation and Innovation Network (RAIN) is funded by the National Science Foundation to oversee grant funding for informal STEM education projects in four rural Arizona communities: Cochise County, Graham and Greenlee County, the Verde Valley, and the Navapache/White Mountains region. RAIN acts as a resource for best practices in informal STEM program development and works to highlight effective STEM programs, employers and organizations across the state of Arizona. Interested in applying for a grant? Visit our website today and learn more about the opportunities in your community.