Riparian Photopoint Sign-Up

Liability Waiver

This project has a history of 35 years — the first Riparian Specialist hired by the Tonto National Forest knew the value of repeat photography in documenting resource conditions. He had the foresight to initiate a riparian photopoint program in 1988 — finding important reaches of streamside vegetation and taking clear photographs of the vegetation and streambanks, annually if possible, at the same exact sites each year. The Forest, and ecologists who do research on the Tonto, have come to depend upon information these photos provide – impacts by livestock, or improvement in conditions through livestock management, wildlife impacts, results of flooding, fire and drought. These photos provide documentation of resource conditions, which is used for natural resource management decisions. While data is important, it’s true that nothing tells a story like a good photograph.

The program grew under succeeding riparian specialists to over 900 sites photographed by an outstanding group of volunteer photographers who enjoy regular visits to their stream sites.

The program is now run by Friends of the Tonto National Forest, in cooperation with the Tonto. We are continuing the program with the same attention to quality that riparian specialists and long-time volunteers on the Forest have had. Under Friends of the Tonto’s management, the photopoint map and associated photos have been made available for the public to see – check out the interactive map on our website! http://photopoints.friendsofthetonto.org/ New photos are added to it each year.

Photopoint season has now been extended to last from mid-April to the end of September. And we need volunteers! You don’t need a special camera, you can use your smart phone. You don’t even need a GPS unit – most smart phones can have apps that will read out GPS coordinates. You don’t need a four-wheel drive vehicle (although you do need it for some sites). If you like to get out, or if you need a good excuse to get out – here’s your opportunity!

Training Sessions are scheduled for 7:00 PM the evenings of March 21 and 30, and April 4. We will be using Zoom sessions for training. The first session (on March 21) will be a short refresher for previous photopoint volunteers. The other 2 sessions are for new volunteers or previous volunteers who want a more thorough refresher.

You can help the Forest by doing this fun activity! We have all kinds of sites available – please fill out the registration form so we can help you select a site suited to your vehicle and hiking abilities.

Join Friends of the Tonto NF in removing fountain and buffel grasses at Meeting Location: Massacre Grounds TH
Event Registration Form
Liability Waiver Form

Join Friends of the Tonto NF in removing fountain and buffel grasses at Meeting Location: Massacre Grounds TH
Event Registration Form
Liability Waiver Form

Meet at the Cave Creek Trailhead parkinglot in the Seven Springs Recreation Area for trail maintenance of Cave Creek Trail #4. Work will include clipping and clearing brush that has overgrown the trails, installing fiberglass trail markers, closing social trails, and other trail work as needed. Forest Service personnel will be on hand for training and assistance. For more information and registration use the following link:
Registration Link

Monthly board meeting. Open to anyone interested. Please contact Patti for invitation: pfenner@friendsofthetonto.org

Monthly board meeting, open to anyone interested. Contact Patti for invitation: pfenner@friendsofthetonto.org

Monthly board meeting. Open to anyone interested. Please contact Patti for invitation: pfenner@friendsofthetonto.org

Monthly board meeting. Open to anyone interested. Please contact Patti for invitation: pfenner@friendsofthetonto.org

Monthly board meeting. Open to anyone interested. Please contact Patti for invitation: pfenner@friendsofthetonto.org