As the lead guide for yesterday’s SCVN Friday hike on the Bug Springs trail, I didn’t take my D800 Nikon, instead I took some photos along the way with my iPhone. This 4.4 mile hike requires us to settle cars from the trailhead to the Green Mountain trailhead, both located along the Catalina Highway. Since the hike has a 1,300 foot change in elevation, we began our hike at the Green Mountain trailhead in the vicinity of Middle Bear campground and picnic area. Hiking the trail in reverse does provide a challenging 400 foot elevation in about 1/3 mile to the highest point on the trail, 6,279 feet.
kenne
(Click on any of the images for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
This is a before snapshot of soft feather pappus grass in and area where Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN)would be removing invasive plants. Our focus would be to clear this area where we teach elementary children about nature, October through April.
After Image by kenne
This after image illustrates how effective invasive plants are at crowding out native plants.
Rattlesnake Image by kenne
Removing invasive plants requires a lot of caution, keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes. There is a western diamondback rattlesnake in this image, which is a good example of how well the blend into grass. The snake is coiled center-right in this image.
The SCVN Friday hikes on Mt. Lemmon began June 3rd. Part of the hike was on the Meadow trail, which goes through a pine thicket that includes some very large Douglas Firs. On May 4th a 100 feet tall Douglas Fir crashed across the Meadow trail.
Tree ring experts at the University of Arizona estimate the tree was over 300 years old. There had recently been strong winds on the mountain, but it’s still anyone guess that this towering tree toppled. This tree was still relatively young compared to the largest Douglas Fir on Mt. Lemmon, which dates back to the year 1320.
A temporary trail now goes around the fallen tree.
A Forest Service volunteer has begun cutting away large limbs and a large section of the trunk, which will allow hikers to follow the original trail.
Annually, the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) gather to celebrate the completion of the year (June 1-May 30) by sharing comradeship, food, stories, awards and introduce the new SCVN board to the membership. This event is always special, this year even more by giving Joan Tedford (“List Lady”) a much deserved SCVN Emerita award. Joan was recognized by Naturalists Debbie Bird, Edi Moore, Heather Murphy and author Frank S. Rose. — kenne
Kenne Turner, David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel, and Bob Barnacastle
Yesterday I was honored to be MC at the graduation event for sixteen new naturalists, which included recognizing the founders of the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN), David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel and Bob Barnacastle. In 1977 these guys began formulating what became SCVN. It was a pleasure to stand along side of such giants in our organization.Their continuing support is a reflection of the quality of SCVN.
Big THANKS to all who made yesterday’s event a great success.
October through April of each year for over thirty years, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) have offered K-6 classes science and social history programs in the canyon. Each program involves an hour of interactive content at a picnic table and an hour nature walk, each fitting into the teacher’s curriculum at the time of the field trip.
— kenne
Naturalist Phil teaching second grade students using the “Web of Life” elementary school instruction kit.
Naturalists Jeff and Alexa guiding students across one of the low-water crossing bridges in Sabino Canyon.
Naturalist Fran teaching a group of boys on a nature walk.
Naturalist Becky showing where a twig girdler beetle has cut into a Mesquite limb.
Becky explains why the twig girdler has cut the Mesquite limb. — Images by kenne
Before Image by kenne
After Image by kenne
Rattlesnake Image by kenne
Images and video by kenne
Naturalist, Joan Tedford 
Kenne Turner, David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel, and Bob Barnacastle
