Friends of Ironwood Forest

 An incredible landscape recognized for its rugged scenery, biological diversity and cultural legacy located 25 miles northwest of Tucson. These 129,000 acres contain several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Sawtooth, and Waterman ranges, and the iconic Ragged Top Mountain.

Ironwood Forest is a national treasure in our own backyard, it safeguards the Tucson region's last remaining population of native Desert Bighorn sheep and the richest stand of Ironwood Trees ever recorded in the Sonoran Desert.

Arizona Highways magazine shares, “… the monument is two things: beautiful and vital."

The ancient legume and cactus forests, "desert old growth", have endured for 800 to 1200 years, below the surrounding dramatic mountain scenery. The Ironwood Forest is home to threatened and endangered species; including Nichols Turk’s head cactus, lesser long-nosed bat, and desert tortoise.

Irreplaceable and abundant archaeological sites, dating back over 5,000 years, provide opportunities for further research and preservation of other cultures, including the Hohokam.

Since 2007, the Friends have worked to end recreational target shooting on the Ironwood Forest, and in February 2013 we were cussessful in stopping this destructive practice. We are now working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and many volunteers to clean up areas impacted by recreational target shooting, eliminate unneeded roads, and reduce and eradicate buffelgrass populations in those areas we can now fully access.

Our recent Meet The Monument event atracted a record number of people, over 300, who joined us at the base of Ragged Top mountain to learn more about this special new national monument. In 2010, the Bureau of Land Management awarded us the "Making A Difference National Volunteer Award" for our work to eradicate buffelgrass from the Waterman Mountains. The Public Lands Foundation also gave us their landscape stewardship award the same year.

Programs and Priorities

• Just one year ago, we were successful in prohibiting recreational target shooting at the Monument. Our efforts now include enforcement and clean up and restoration of areas with debris and damage from this destructive behavior.
• Removal of buffelgrass from priority areas.
• Meet The Monument, Monument Tours, and other public events that provide on-site interpretation where there is none.
• Frequent on the ground restoration projects – illegal trash dumping, off-road vehicle use, wildlife conservation.
• Promote the protection and sustainable use of Monument resources.
• Coordinate scientific, cultural and historic research of the Monument and surrounding area.
• Develop and distribute education materials and presentations.
• Advocate for our federal and state public lands.
• Assist the BLM with implementation of management plans and mandates aimed toward protection of Monument resources.
• Partner with over two dozen other conservation and government organizations to advance protection of the Sonoran Desert, including an annual National Public Lands Day event.

 

The Ironwood Forest National Monument is part of the new 28 million-acre National Conservation Lands. Established in 2000, these lands of exceptional beauty, historical value, sultural significance, and scientific importance, are to be managed with conservation and protection as their primary purpose.

Join with us and help increase stewardship of the Ironwood Forest National Monument by protecting its biology, geology, history, archaeology, recreation, and stunning scenery.