Residents and visitors who want to help protect the area can do so by joining, volunteering, or contributing to the Friends of Cave Creek Canyon (FOCCC). As individuals, families, and businesses, we work closely with US Forest Service professionals to support the agency’s work and mission in Southeastern Arizona. We seek to provide educational opportunities for area residents, visitors, school groups, scientific researchers, and others who cherish the special qualities of our region.
FRIENDS OF CAVE CREEK CANYON
What We Are
We are a non-profit 503(c)(3) organization, chartered in 2011. All contributions to the FOCCC are tax deductible. We are an all volunteer organization and all donations and membership fees received are used to advance the mission of FOCCC.
Who We Are
We are individuals, families, and businesses. We are mostly from the Rodeo,NM, and Portal, AZ, area, but have members from Lordsburg, San Simon, Douglas and Sierra Vista.
Our Mission
To inspire appreciation and understanding of the beauty, biodiversity and legacy of Cave Creek Canyon.
What We Do
We work closely with Coronado National Forest to support their work and mission in Southeast Arizona.
We seek to provide educational opportunities for area residents, visitors, school groups, scientific researchers and others who cherish the special qualities of our region.
The FOCCC is an all-volunteer organization. We have no paid staff or office space.
Volunteer
To volunteer, send us an email using the form on the Contact Us page. FOCCC has many volunteer opportunities. Tell us about your interests and skills.
Become a Member or Donate
Funds to support FOCCC come from memberships, donations, and the sale of our book. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and donations and memberships may be tax deductible.
Please help us preserve the beauty and diversity of Cave Creek Canyon by becoming a member of FOCCC or by donating today. Download the Membership/Donation Form and send your contribution to FOCCC, PO Box 16126, Portal, AZ 85632.
There are membership levels for every budget:
Make checks or money orders payable to Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon and mail to: Friends Of Cave Creek Canyon - P.O. Box 16126, Portal AZ u85632
Willow Tank - Helping A Critical Wildlife Sanctuary
by Alan Craig
It is critical tokeep water in Willow Tank to provide wildlife habitat. One would have to camp outat the tank to fully appreciate how many birds, bats and critters use the water at WT, let alone the food and cover the vegetation provides. During the 2+ months ofSpring migration and a much longer period during Fall migration, those birds that migrate by day may stop only briefly for a drink or to grab a few insects before continuing out of sight en route to their nesting or wintering grounds.
It is owned by the Larry River's family and we owe a big thankyou to them for their extensive financial and physical help inkeeping this vital water source open.
Willow Tank is open to bird watchers. There is water onlyin the deep end now as the banks and reinforcing is completed. There will be multiple viewing stations and stairs, which will be completed in the next month or so, followed by the refilling. (Cecil Williams)
A few days ago there were 4White-faced Ibis feeding on the pond along with a pair of Mexican Ducks.
Check it out!
WT is on Sulphur Canyon Rd. west off of Stateline Road just as Stateline intersects U.S. 80.
Friends of Cave Creek Canyon strongly believes in preserving and improving this valuable resource. We have made a sizeable donation and encourage you to also help. For more information, contact Alan Craig at 520-558-2220 oracraig@me.com
_________________________________________________
Why It's Called Cave Creek Canyon!
Friends of Cave Creek Canyon recently sponsored an archaeological survey of the caves and rock shelters in Cave Creek Canyon. We received a generousanonymousdonation of $5000 to offset about half of the associated costs.
Friends of Cave Creek Canyon 2018 Cave Survey
Over the course of five weeks in June and July, Kelsey Hanson (University of Arizona) and Jonathan Patt conducted an FOCCC-sponsored archaeological survey of caves in South Fork Canyon and Cave Creek Canyon. Their survey was guided by photographs and notes produced by Kimrod Murphy (retired Game Warden for the Arizona Game and Fish Dept.) and some existing documentation from U.S. Forest Service archaeological surveys.
Hanson and Patt produced updated sketch maps, photographs, and narrative descriptions for 32 caves, many of which contained archaeological features (e.g., hearths, masonry walls, and Mogollon Red and Apache pictographs) andartifacts (e.g., pottery sherds and chipped stone or lithics). Despite some existing archaeological documentation, most of the artifacts and features documented by Hanson and Patt had never been recorded before! Of the 32 caves recorded, 6 contained both archaeological features and artifacts, 12 contained either features or artifacts, and 14 contained neither. This suggests that the caves that were used throughout history, were used for very specific reasons. Explanations for these reasons are pending the results of more detailed analyses but may be related to a combination of factors like elevation, aspect, bedrock stability, and access to resources.
Hanson and Patt's survey has demonstrated that caves have served as important focal points for hundreds of years of human history in the area.
Thirteen energetic FOCCC volunteers and one well-behaved doggie turned out to pull invasive horehound on Saturday morning, 07 February. Donning gloves, and deploying various tools, they made short work of a large horehound patch near the first bench along the Nature Trail above the Silver Peak pullout. The group then moved to the Sunny Flat Campground where, starting at the bridge, great progress was made in removing the species on both sides of the road and in as far as the central 'plaza'. (Special thanks go to those working beneath prickly catclaw!) Plants with seeds were placed in bags deposited at the USFS station, and those lacking seeds were left to replenish soil nutrients.
Event organizers Dinah Davidson and Barbara Miller would like to thank the following participants for their enthusiasm and congenial company as a pleasant time was had by all: Al Bammann, Laura Caron, Larry Johnson, Rolf Koford, Juliet Krenshaw, Elaine Moisan, Linda Pretty, Loren Smith, Sarah and Keith Thomson, and Lorraine Titus. Barb and Pete Miller provided water and snacks. Counting participation by Barb and Dinah, the Friends group contributed 39 hours of volunteer service to the USFS.
