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Central Mountains/Sonoran RegionMountain Magic and Desert DelightSpecies Diversity | Geological Significance | Recreational Opportunities | Our Regional Work | Get Involved
The Central Mountains and Sonoran Region of Arizona can be divided into two spectacular ecoregions: the Central Mountains and the Sonoran desert. This biologically rich region fully encompasses the Prescott and Tonto National Forests, and includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forests. It's also a part of Arizona under increasing pressure for development, recreational trails, and energy and transportation corridors as the population of our state grows. View the transportation plan map of the region.
Species Diversity
The spectacular South Central region provides an abundance of vegetative life zones, considering it has an elevation gradient of more than 7,000 feet from the floor of the desert to the top of Mount Union in the Bradshaw Mountains. Slope aspect in combination with elevation dictates the types of vegetation that can be found at any given place in the Sonoran Desert and the Central Mountains ecoregions. Common plant species range from creosote to ponderosa pine. The semi-desert grassland ecosystems of central Arizona—rapidly disappearing because of development—support pronghorn antelope, deer, and elk. Thick riparian vegetation of willows and cottonwoods found near canyons and river corridors nurtures numerous bird species, such as wintering bald eagles, zone-tailed hawks, and a plethora of migrating birds. Other denizens of the central and south desert include Peregrine falcons, lowland leopard frogs, desert tortoise, Mexican garter snakes, Gila chub, common black hawks, and Gila monsters. Ironwood Forest National Monument, for example, offers refuge for the last herd of desert bighorn sheep in Pima County.
Geologic SignificanceThe visible geologic record of the Central Mountains/Sonoran region spans approximately 1.7 billion years, when the Central Mountains were created as part of the Yavapai volcanic arc that welded onto the continent at this time. These mountains are mostly made up of granitic rocks with relatively young basalt and lava flows on the surface. Sedimentary layers found in the bottom of the Grand Canyon are the same as those found on the surface throughout the Verde Valley and the Mogollon Rim country below the Colorado plateau. As one descends south into the desert, the basin and range country unfolds into a unique topography of mountains and valleys that characterizes the deserts of the southwest.
Recreational Opportunities
The Central Mountains/Sonoran region staff and volunteers love to suggest places to visit for backpacking, fishing, hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, and even places to enjoy a campfire with some friends. Please feel free to drop us a line at 602-252-5530.
Our Regional Work
Prescott College has played a tremendous role in many of our successes, providing an office, telephones, computers, and other communications essentials. Students from five Prescott College courses in the Adventure Education and Environmental Studies programs have volunteered in conjunction with AWC wilderness projects. The Central Mountains/Sonoran region contains three of the new national monuments that President Clinton created before he left office. We feel that there are strong cases for wilderness in the Sonoran Desert, Ironwood Forest, and the Agua Fria National Monuments. Within each new monument, AWC has become involved in numerous planning processes, submitting Wilderness proposals for Sonoran Desert National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument and Agua Fria National Monument. The Verde River Comprehensive Management Plan, Fossil Creek Area, and many issues in the Middle Gila area have also been part of the ongoing work for our office. Look for your next AWC newsletter and e-news to learn more! Get InvolvedWe always need help with our field inventory and service projects. For more information regarding the Sonoran Desert National Monument and other public lands south of metropolitan Phoenix, or to get involved with our work in this region, please contact Danica Norris, our Community Organizer, at danica@azwild.org, or 602-252-5530. |
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The Central Mountains/Sonoran region offers an abundance of recreational
opportunities for all seasons. The
elevational gradient of over 8,000 feet between the high country of the
Central Mountains to the Phoenix Valley allows for a variety of outdoor
choices. In the summer, the high country of the Mogollon Rim and the Central
Mountains provides escape from the searing heat of the valley with numerous
activities from swimming in cold mountain streams to lounging in the shade
of a giant Douglas fir. The Sonoran desert can be a wonderful and dangerous
place at all times of year, which is why many people find it so interesting
to travel here. In the winter people can enjoy mild daytime temperatures
for hiking, backpacking, birding, climbing, and photography. Nighttime
temperatures can hover around freezing. Two of the most beautiful times
in the Sonoran Desert are after the spring rains and during the summer
monsoons. After the spring rains, thousands of colorful flowers carpet
the desert floor. During the summer monsoons, unique desert amphibians
and reptiles awaken to eat and breed. Many of the reptiles that can be
found are poisonous, such as rattlesnakes. Watch your step and listen
well!
The Central Mountains/Sonoran Regional office has been extremely successful
this year—our first protecting wilderness in the Central Mountains
and Sonoran Desert. We have made proposals for more than 60,000 acres
in new Wilderness Study Areas and begun inventories on approximately 500,000
acres of potential wilderness lands on Bureau of Land Management and Forest
Service lands.