Jerry Guevin, President, and Bill Keebler, past president attended the annual meeting of the Arizona Habitat Partnership Committees.  These Local Habitat Partnerships reflect an ecosystem approach to wildlife habitat management and related projects. These partnerships meet in Alpine, Kingman, Payson, Prescott, Flagstaff, Williams, Winslow, Show Low, Springerville, Yuma and Fredonia. The Forage Resource Study Group in CoconinoCounty also participates as an affiliate member. The Goals, Objectives, Deliverables are as follows.

     A presentation was given outlining the tremendous amount of wild lands being turned into “civilization”.  The “40 acre” parcels being particularly outstanding.  This of course is having a serious impact on our wildlife populations. The land where the antelope play is continually being squeezed. Access,competition, fences and newcomers are increasing the need for better and more management of our public and private lands.  We need to intensify  information and education in order for all to be aware of the issues that concern all of us.

     Many problems were voiced by various participants. There was concern about tree density and encroachment on grasslands, drought conditions leading to decreased populations of many wildlife species and general poor range conditions.

      Even though the meeting had a 3PM end time, many mini meeting took place between local partnerships and conservations groups. These were extreemly helpful for the AAF in helping us to understand the various funded and unfunded projects. AAF is committed, to $4000 for native seed to be used in rehabing the area of the Lizard and Mormon fires of this summer. Our tag fund also will be allocating $36,000 for the pinon pine, juniper treatment on Anderson Mesa.  We believe that this will be well spent funds for pronghorn habitat improvement