FRIENDS OF MADERA CANYON

Performs regular trail maintenance and restoration in Madera Canyon, including clearing fallen trees, repairing trails and steps, mending stone features in picnic areas, and conducting monthly trail walks to identify issues such as damage or graffiti.

Conducts trail maintenance and restoration activities, including reestablishing a program of Canyon trail maintenance, repairing the Visitor Information Station, and planning to repair or replace benches along the Nature Trail and mend steps in picnic areas. This includes monthly trail walks to identify problems such as fallen trees, graffiti, and damaged trails.

Collaborates with the Coronado National Forest on education programs and interpretation, including the development of the Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail and the Amphitheater Bridge Project. Provides docent services for 4th grade walks, high school, scouting, and home school group field trips.

Offers docent-led educational programs for school and community groups, including 4th grade walks, high school, scouting, and homeschool field trips, and participates in regional events like the Tucson Audubon Birding Festival and Hawk Watch to educate the public about Madera Canyon.

Manages financial operations, including converting accounting systems, navigating IRS audits, ensuring compliance with the Arizona Corporate Commission, preparing taxes with a CPA, and creating monthly and annual financial statements.

Handles full financial operations including accounting system management, IRS audits, compliance with Arizona Corporate Commission, tax preparation with a CPA, and production of monthly and annual financial statements.

Identified addressing invasive species, specifically Yellow Bluestem grass, as a potential major project for the current year in Madera Canyon.

Identifies and plans for invasive species control in Madera Canyon, with Yellow Bluestem grass highlighted as a major focus for the current year.

Volunteers staff a Visitor Information Station at the Proctor Road entrance to Madera Canyon, greeting visitors, providing safety and facility information, distributing literature, answering questions, and serving as a liaison to US Forest Service personnel.

Operates a Visitor Information Station where volunteers greet visitors, provide information on facilities and safety, direct visitors to canyon features, answer questions, provide literature, and act as a link to US Forest Service personnel.

Engages skilled volunteers, particularly active retirees, in professional-level roles; provides name tags for members and recognizes long-term service through honorary status updates.

Served as coordinator of the VIS for approximately 13 to 14 years, and provides skilled, professional-level volunteer roles for active retirees in fields such as education, technology, and nonprofit leadership.

Restocks 15 brochure distribution locations throughout Madera Canyon.

Plans for the 2025 Music in the Canyon (MIC) concerts, which will take place on four Sundays at the end of March and in April.

Organizes volunteers to pick up litter in picnic, parking, and roadside areas of Madera Canyon, contributing to a cleaner environment.

Published "A History Of Madera Canyon."

Partners with the Coronado National Forest on facility improvements and educational infrastructure, including the development of the Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail, Amphitheater Bridge Project, and repairs to the Visitor Information Station.

Attends regional events, including the Tubac Festival of the Arts, the Tucson Festival of Books, the Sahuarita Spooktacular, Fiesta at Tumacacori National Historical Park, Hawk Watch, and Tucson Audubon Birding Festival, to educate attendees about Madera Canyon and the organization's preservation and restoration work.

Dedicated an Honor and Memory wall in 2015 to commemorate individuals and preserve community history.

Exhibits at regional events such as the Tucson Festival of Books, Tubac Festival of the Arts, Sahuarita Spooktacular, and Fiesta at Tumacacori to promote awareness of Madera Canyon and the organization’s work; also plans and hosts annual "Music in the Canyon" concerts on four Sundays in spring 2025.

Produces and distributes informational materials, including brochures placed at 15 distribution points in Madera Canyon, and published "A History of Madera Canyon."