Author: Elise Ketcham, Communications Manager, Arizona Wildlife Federation

Elise has been a dedicated team member of the Arizona Wildlife Federation for over two years. She is an advocate for the protection of and public education about our wildlife species and public lands. A passionate birder and regular hiker, she also leads AWF's All Afield Hikes once a month.

Halloween is here, and while we’re busy dressing up, Arizona’s nocturnal wildlife is out celebrating — no costume or disguise needed when you’re naturally mysterious! Nocturnal wildlife is active tonight too, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate while looking out for Arizona’s incredible native species. Here’s how you can keep the festivities fun and safe for our wildlife neighbors.

1. Nocturnal Wildlife to Watch for This Halloween

If you’re out and about tonight, keep an eye (and ear!) out for some of Arizona’s nocturnal wildlife that may be joining the Halloween festivities:

• Owls: Arizona has 13 species of owl! The call of great horned owls often echoes through the night, as they are one of our most commonly seen owls. Halloween is a fitting time to spot these incredible birds — perhaps you’ll even observe one capturing a midnight snack!

• Bats: While some may be alarmed to see bats flitting around the sky at dusk, know that they are a critical part of our ecosystems and prefer to stay away from people. One amazing example of the importance of our native bats is the lesser long-nosed bats, who act as a key pollinator for cacti, particularly the saguaro cactus. Arizona’s 28 different bat species swoop through the sky hunting for insects, so keep an eye out for them tonight!

• Ringtail: Known for being elusive, Arizona’s state mammal may be quietly moving in the background. These adorable raccoon and coatimundi relatives are nocturnal hunters and are not in fact cats at all despite often being referred to as ringtail cats. They are fantastic climbers, so look up on rocky hills, trees, and saguaro to try to spot them!

An Arizona ringtail (Bassariscus a. arizonensis) peeks from behind a rockwall in the darkness of a natural cave. Photo Courtesy of Deidre Denali Rosenberg.

2. Wildlife-Friendly Halloween Decorations

As fun as Halloween decorations can be, some can unintentionally pose risks to wildlife:

• Avoid Fake Spiderwebs: Birds, insects, and even small mammals can easily get entangled in synthetic webbing, causing serious harm. Instead, use pumpkins, cornstalks, and natural materials to create a spooky atmosphere outside your house. You can also keep those fake (and possibly real, we don’t judge!) spiderwebs inside your home.

• Use Low Lighting: Flashing lights can disrupt the natural rhythms of nocturnal animals. Solar lights on timers and string lights with consistent brightness are great options that limit disturbances.

• Keep Pumpkins Out of Reach: To prevent nibbling from curious animals like javelinas and raccoons, keep pumpkins on higher surfaces like porch railings or hang them from sturdy hooks.

3. After Halloween: Turn Pumpkins into a Feast for Birds!

After Halloween is over, don’t let those pumpkins go to waste! Repurpose them as bird feeders to offer local birds a tasty meal as temperatures start to cool and food becomes more difficult to find.

• DIY Bird Feeder: Simply cut your pumpkin in half, remove any leftover pulp, and fill it with birdseed. Place it in a spot where birds feel safe, like the branch of a tree, and watch as the birds feast.

• Composting: If you prefer, compost your pumpkins after Halloween to enrich your soil, which can support the insects that many local species rely on.

4. Preparing Your Yard for Cooler Nights

Arizona’s wildlife may be experiencing cooler nights and even snow in the northern parts of the state. Consider these steps to help native species through the seasonal shift:

• Leave Some Leaf Litter: Leaf piles can provide shelter and warmth for insects, small mammals, and ground-feeding birds. By leaving some areas unraked, you’re creating a natural habitat for these creatures.

• Fresh Water: Water sources are important year-round, especially in the hotter areas of our state. Place a bird bath or shallow dish of fresh water where wildlife can safely reach it. Note — if the bird bath is a bit deep, add in some rocks to assist smaller wildlife like lizards and bees in crawling out if they fall in the water.

5. Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat!

The Arizona Wildlife Federation partners with the National Wildlife Federation to help you transform your outdoor space into a certified wildlife habitat. By providing essentials like food, water, and cover, you can join others across Arizona who support our wildlife year-round. When you certify your habitat and purchase a certified wildlife habitat sign, a portion of the cost supports the Arizona Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation's programs to help stop the decline of habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife.

Enjoy Halloween with a wild touch this year, and let’s keep the festivities safe and friendly for our wild neighbors. With a little care and creativity, you can make Halloween magical for both people and wildlife!

Author: Elise Ketcham, Communications Manager, Arizona Wildlife Federation

Elise has been a dedicated team member of the Arizona Wildlife Federation for over two years. She is an advocate for the protection of and public education about our wildlife species and public lands. A passionate birder and regular hiker, she also leads AWF's All Afield Hikes once a month.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) Small Game Program is embarking on an exciting research project to unravel the migratory patterns and daily movements of the interior band-tailed

 pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata fasciata) in Arizona. These striking birds grace our state from late March through mid-October, nesting in the lush canopies of mixed conifer forests, ponderosa pines, and dense stands of evergreen oaks and pines between elevations of 4,500 and 9,100 feet.

Author: Jeffrey Sorensen, Invertebrate Wildlife Program Manager, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)

Jeff is the “Snail Guy” for Arizona and has been with AZGFD for over 33 years as a wildlife and fisheries biologist. He is also a volunteer rappelling instructor for the AWF’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops.

If you spot what looks like pink bubble gum along shoreline vegetation and rocks at your local pond or river, you most likely have found apple snail eggs.

Apple snails are large freshwater snails of the genus Pomacea, originally from South America, Central America, and Florida.

Years ago in Arizona, these snails were sold as pets for home aquariums. Unfortunately, someone had illegally dumped their unwanted pet apple snails into the lower Verde River around 2009. Since then, those apple snails have become well established in the lower Salt River and the canals and urban lakes of the Phoenix metropolitan area. A new infestation of these snails was recently documented in Silverbell Lake in the Tucson area.

Apple snails are highly invasive, with female snails capable of producing thousands of young each year. They adapt well to our waters and may outcompete our native snail populations, which are an important food source for many fish and wildlife. Most of our fish, water birds, amphibians, and reptiles don’t find apple snails very tasty, so there is little to no predation pressure on these large snails.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is working with the Tonto National Forest, OdySea Aquarium, Sealife Aquarium, the Phoenix Zoo’s Trailblazers Program, and dedicated volunteers to help survey and combat apple snails in our local waters. By smearing or knocking the pink egg masses from shoreline vegetation and rocks into the water, we help reduce the number of young apple snails. The snail eggs will drown if submerged. Juvenile and adult apple snails can be netted from shallow, warm waters and properly disposed of in trash bags.

We recommend that you wash your hands after handling any apple snails or eggs. The snails are known to carry a parasite that causes rat lungworm disease, which can infect humans. We also ask the public not to release unwanted pets into the wild. It’s illegal, and it causes more harm to our fish and wildlife that live in those waters.

To see some of this important work in the field, check out the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s educational video at the button below:

Save our snails! Invasive Apple Snails and what we can do about them

Want to get involved? You can assist AZGFD biologists with monitoring for native land snails on your own time! Learn more at the button below:

Report Native Snail Sighting through iNaturalist

Every year, it seems the Arizona Wildlife Federation pushes back on a handful of damaging public lands bills in our state legislature. The 2024 legislative session was different. There was an egregious amount of anti-public lands bills. We believe that this onslaught of bills was at least in part reactionary to the designation of our newest Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. Although this new monument protects one of America’s greatest wildernesses from irresponsible energy development and resource extraction, conserving it for hunters, anglers, ranchers, and all Americans, there are still those who oppose any form of federal land designation.

This session, five bills and five memorials targeted various proposals, ranging from requiring state legislature, governor, and county approval for a private and willing landowner to sell their land to the federal government, to rescinding the Antiquities Act and asking that 30% of our federal public lands be turned over to the private hands of the state. Additionally, there were even bills opposing conservation easements, which are widely recognized as effective tools for independent landowners to support conservation efforts.

Fortunately, in the end, all the bills died in committees with just one (the private lands sale permission bill, HB2376, mentioned above) passing through the House and the Senate to the Governor’s desk where it was successfully vetoed. Unfortunately, the five aforementioned memorials passed and were transmitted to the Secretary of State. While memorials are not actionable items and are therefore not taken seriously oftentimes, they do send a dangerous message to our administration that Arizonans don’t care about or value our public lands.

With the defeat of all actionable bills, the 2024 legislative session can certainly be counted as a win for our public lands, outdoor recreation, and conservation. That being said, the passage of the five anti-public lands memorials should be a reminder to all who value their and their families’ access to Arizona’s beautiful public lands to stay tuned and stay vigilant!

For more information on the 2024 session and these bills, please visit our bill tracker at: azwildlife.org/2024-Arizona-Bill-Tracker

To learn how you can get involved in future advocacy opportunities, reach out to our Advocacy Director, Michael Cravens at michael@azwildlife.org

Photo Courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Author: Kathryn (Ryn) Davison, Ranid Frogs Specialist, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)

Kathryn is a specialist in amphibians and reptiles with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, where she focuses on conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species across the Southwest.

Part of my job as a wildlife biologist includes looking for new habitat for the threatened species with which I work: the Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis). These frogs exist between elevations of 3,280 to 8,890 feet. In general, we search for habitat features such as the lack or low density of invasive species (like bullfrogs or crayfish) and suitable cover like undercut banks, protruding roots, and rocky outcroppings. Their range spans through parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. 

Last summer, our team headed south near the US-Mexico border to survey an earthen pond (also called a ‘tank’) on an actively grazed cattle allotment in the Coronado National Forest. We schlepped down a hill with our backpacks, clipboards, and a dipnet. There, we were met by a herd of stoic cattle gathered around the water. A couple of calves were swimming from one side to the other, their heads peeking up over the surface. As we were greeted by a few sassy “moooooos,” we set down our gear a short distance away from the water’s edge. 

Breaking out our binoculars, we began to scan the area for any sign of frogs. It is like a game of “Where’s Waldo.” We look for eyes popping over the water and in the emergent vegetation as well as any lumps on the perimeter of the pond. These critters vary from green to brown and may appear darker in color in cooler water. It doesn’t take long before we’ve spotted our target species. Identifiable by their broken/inset dorsolateral folds (the ridges on their back) and their black and white peppered noduled thighs, they stood out from the surrounding rushes and grasses as they splayed out on the surface. Each of us counted up the number of frogs we saw, and we compared our finds. 

Photo Courtesy of Christina Akins.

“Oh look, there’s another!” and “Add ten to that,” are always music to our ears. This particular pond housed hundreds of frogs. With our initial counts in our heads, we neared the water’s edge for a more in-depth survey. Upon our approach, the frogs on the bank leaped into the pond. Each step set off a chain reaction: imagine frogs doing “the wave” at a sports game. It was thrilling to see so many frogs, big and small, persisting in a state that is thought of to be quite dry. We scooped our dipnet into the water and found tadpoles of the species as well. 

That pond has been fortified by a collaboration between the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), U. S. Forest Service, and the permittee who runs cattle on the land. These frogs rely on permanent water sources, which can be scarce in a state where it generally rapidly evaporates in the heat. Since ranchers and private landowners are stewards of the water, it makes sense that we team up in a way that suits all of our needs. Sustainable grazing practices preserve the quality and quantity of resources on the landscape, which is important to both frogs and cows. The shared interest in water retention between cattle growers and AZGFD biologists creates a strong foundation for the conservation of the species as well as the livelihood of the people who live on and work the land. 

We appreciate the assistance and dedication of participating landowners in the Safe Harbor program, which provides private landowners (many of whom are ranchers) protections and assistance in habitat maintenance for threatened and endangered species in exchange for establishing or protecting frog populations on their properties. Strengthening water sources via recontouring, cleaning out, and deepening tanks (which many cattle growers do already) can benefit frogs as well. At the AZGFD, we apply for funding for similar habitat construction projects all across the state for private and public lands. The projects range from but are not limited to helping line ponds, building and maintaining fence lines, and working with ecosystem engineers to create wetlands. With a resource as scarce and precious as water in the Southwest, there is hope in cooperation to promote the goals of multiple parties and to allow different species to coexist. 

Author: Morgan Andrews — Artist & Field Ecologist

Morgan Andrews, a local to the Southwestern US, was born and raised amid the rugged canyons of Sedona. Immersed in both art and nature, her passion for the outdoors and artistic expression has been a lifelong endeavor. Currently, Morgan is a field ecologist at the Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes at Northern Arizona University, where she collaborates with fellow researchers on various native plant projects across Arizona, Hawaii, and beyond. When she is not working, she is either playing in the backcountry, watering her house plants, or volunteering for the CCSO Search and Rescue team. See more of Morgan's photography on Instagram: @morganandrews_photography

I've spent numerous days resting or working beneath the canopy of an oak tree, and I've often pondered…how many others have done the same? 

Southwestern oaks witness the abundance of life, from humans seeking relief from the heat along the Arizona-Sonora borderlands, deer and jaguars taking refuge in the sky islands, to the numerous insect species nestled amidst oak litter in the riparian forests of Sedona. Oak trees, with their sometimes stout and twisting shapes, can take different forms from dense shrubbery to towering canopies, creating shaded oases in the extreme environments of their range.

While oaks are often prized as a hardwood species, harvested for firewood and furniture, their value is more than just utility for human use. These trees serve as invaluable cultural resources for indigenous peoples, havens for wildlife, and are stewards of watershed health. Oaks, in general, offer sustenance, shelter, and essential ecosystem services to the diverse array of organisms that call southwestern environments home. Specifically, Emory oaks (Quercus emoryi), also known as 'blackjack oaks,' are key players both culturally and environmentally.

Within Arizona, Emory oaks range from the well-known red rock canyons of Sedona to the rugged borderlands of Mexico. The native range of this species also extends into eastern New Mexico and western Texas, then descends into northern Mexico. 

Emory oaks vary in size and growth form, but are unified in their ability to offer diverse benefits to humans and ecological communities, thus earning their status as a cultural keystone species.

But what exactly constitutes a keystone species? A keystone species is an organism whose presence plays a pivotal role in maintaining the delicate balance of an ecosystem. If such a species were to decline severely, the repercussions would be felt throughout, potentially disrupting that ecosystem and, in the case of culturally important species, connections with human communities. Emory oaks fulfill this essential role by providing habitat and sustenance for a diverse array of life. 

Emory oaks have served as a vital resource for Indigenous people such as the Western Apache Tribal Nations. Their acorns have been harvested for thousands of years and are utilized for both sustenance and ceremonial purposes. Exceptionally low in tannins, these acorns are prized for their suitability in flour production. During acorn season, Emory oak groves facilitate cultural gatherings, prompting families to gather and pass harvest traditions to new generations' practices.

Historically, The Apache Tribes have managed oak forests by dispersing acorns, promoting human-induced fire, and managing wildlife populations through hunting across the woodland landscape. The connections between the Apache people and Emory oaks were damaged when reservations were established in the late 1800s. Recently, Apache tribal elders and researchers have noted a decline in Emory oak recruitment and acorn production. The suspected causes include climate change, overgrazing, drought, and loss of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) on the landscape. Ultimately, oak woodlands in the southwestern United States are understudied, historically receiving limited scientific attention.

Here at Northern Arizona University we are working closely with the Apache people and the USDA Forest Service to better understand the significant shifts we are seeing today. In partnership with The Emory Oak Collaborative Tribal Restoration Initiative (EOCTRI), our goal is to "restore and protect Emory oak groves (Quercus emoryi) and to ensure the sustainability of subsistence foods for Arizona tribes."

The connection between these oak woodlands, humans, and other creatures that occupy them is undeniable, and there is a deep complex interaction that is distinctly unique to the desert southwest. So next time you find yourself sitting in the shade of an old oak tree, ask yourself… how many others have done the same? 

To learn more about Emory oak research and the EOCTRI initiative: https://labofconservationecology.rc.nau.edu/research-products-2/

Author: Mandela van Eeden

Mandela is an educator and conservationist who guides in Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, Idaho, and the Grand Canyon. She is passionate and actively involved with conservation issues on every continent. She does this both professionally and during her spare time on the board of directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation. You can connect with her via www.TrailLessTraveled.net, and listen to her podcast, “The Trail Less Traveled,” everywhere.

The decision to step away from guiding full-time in the Grand Canyon and play a larger role in protecting it has been a grand adventure. The transition from guiding 250 days a year to rowing a desk 40 hours a week for the National Wildlife Federation has been challenging yet equally rewarding. Joining the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition and speaking at the White House felt pivotal for this life-changing decision and our collective efforts to permanently protect critical lands, water supplies, wildlife, and cultural and religious sites. 

On August 8, 2023, President Biden used the Antiquities Act to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The sun was high in the sky when he signed the proclamation and permanently protected nearly 1 million acres of public land surrounding our iconic National Park. Baaj Nwaavjo means “where tribes roam” in the Havasupai language and I’tah Kukveni means “our footprints” in Hopi. 

In early June 2023, I joined my colleagues at the Arizona Wildlife Federation in Washington, D.C., for a fly-in with ten other conservationists. We met with the USDA, DOI, CEQ, and White House staff. We came on behalf of a much larger group of local elected officials, sporting groups, military veterans, recreationists, guides, conservationists, and local and national businesses. It was an honor to officially represent the Grand Canyon River Guides Association alongside Grand Canyon Trust, Trout Unlimited, HECHO, Chispa AZ, Coconino County, and the Arizona Faith Network. We each brought a unique perspective and had the opportunity to elaborate on why we felt strongly about permanent protections. My focus was on the recreational economics and springs hydrology of the Colorado River; I used science-based data, pictures, and tribal art to impress upon the audience the importance of protecting this landscape.. To exemplify one of the area’s many economic values, I shared that I have relied on my income from guiding for over a decade, as well as my first-hand knowledge of many small businesses associated with commercial river trips and outfitters.

After several days of back-to-back meetings, our coalition hit our stride when we spoke at the Department of the Interior. After I spoke, the DOI’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy said she wanted to go rafting with me. I smiled and promptly responded, “Yes, the rapids in the Grand Canyon are RAD, but the springs are the most important destinations we share with river runners, and if they get contaminated, it’s not feasible.” My river guide lingo produced a round of laughter as perhaps it was the first time the word “rad” had been used at the DOI. It was inspiring to sit in the White House while observing other U.S. citizens walking the corridors advocating for various issues. I hope all Americans realize that this doesn’t happen in every country and that participating in the legislative process is part of what makes a democracy. 

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

As river guides, we are incredibly privileged to run the river 1 to 14 times per year; but with privilege comes responsibility, and it is vital for us to prioritize awareness of existing and future threats to the Grand Canyon. 

This National Monument designation will prevent new uranium mining on almost one million acres of land, protecting groundwater, air quality, and ancestral homelands. The Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, which drew up the monument proposal, includes members of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Tribe of Paiutes, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Shivwits Band of Paiutes, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Zuni Tribe, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. 

Arizona’s 18^th National Monument includes Marble Canyon, the Echo and Vermilion Cliffs, and the Havasupai’s sacred “Wii’i Gdwiisa” (Red Butte) mountain. Prior to the forced restriction of the Tribe into their canyon in the 1800s, the Havasupai hunted and gathered during winter around Red Butte. This is the place of emergence for the Havasupai, and for them, is a lung of Grandmother Canyon. Today, Red Butte is federally recognized as a traditional cultural property, and the summit can be reached by a short but steep trail. Looking north from the top, you may see the Pinyon Plain Mine (also known as Canyon Mine). This uranium mine sits 10 miles from the South Rim on top of the deep Redwall-Muav Aquifer and shallower “perched” aquifers, which feed the seeps and springs in Havasu Canyon. This mine may eventually contaminate the deeper aquifer, which provides water for people, livestock, and crops in the village of Supai.

The Havasupai challenged Kaibab National Forest’s decision to approve the Pinyon Plain Mine in 1986, but they lost their appeal in federal court in 1991. As of today, the mine has resumed operations without revising or updating the original 1986 plan of operations. In 2016, the mine struck groundwater, and as a result, has pumped out over 49 million gallons of water contaminated with high levels of uranium and arsenic. The water is often “misted” into the air to speed up evaporation, but when it is windy, radioactive water reaches far into the surrounding National Forest. Unfortunately, the Pinyon Plain Mine can continue its operations because it’s subject to “valid existing rights,” meaning any mine or claim with VER is grandfathered in under the temporary or permanent mining ban. Pinyon Plain Mine is the only claim to get that determination of the nearly 600 claims that are preexisting. 

Advocacy:

“We were given the responsibility to protect and preserve for those who are yet to come. We have a job to do. The rock writing tells us: protect this place, guard this place, this is your home.” - Rex Tilousi, Havasupai Elder.

In 2011, more than 200 Arizona small businesses addressed postcards to former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. In 2012, Salazar finalized a 20-year mineral withdrawal for more than one million acres of BLM and U.S. Forest Service land to protect the Grand Canyon and its watershed from the potential adverse effects of additional uranium and other hard rock mining. Up until now, that mining withdrawal was temporary and at high risk of being overturned. 

Native peoples have stewarded these lands since time immemorial and the Tribes have actively gathered, danced, and prayed for water and for future generations who will inherit this sacred ecosystem. As Grand Canyon river guides, it is our responsibility to continue this legacy of stewardship by being informed, engaged, and vocal with our guests and elected officials. The designation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument should make us feel empowered to take on the Big Canyon Dam proposal along the Little Colorado River. We can do this by supporting the work of the Little Colorado River Initiative and Save the Confluence as they actively work to change the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) dam permitting rules to require tribal consent and consultation. Please make it a priority to raise awareness regarding current and future threats by urging your guests to advocate on behalf of the Grand Canyon. 

Uranium:

Uranium mining in Arizona has taken place since 1918. The uranium market rebounded in the late 2000s, and a swarm of new uranium claims popped up in the greater Grand Canyon region. At best, only 1.3% of the nation’s total uranium supply occurs in the Grand Canyon region. To extract that 1.3%, mining companies would have expanded uranium mining at an unprecedented rate. There is 10-fold more uranium in Canada and 40-fold more in Australia, two friendly countries with which we trade.

Author: Deirdre Denali Rosenberg, Conservation Photographer and Outdoor Writer

Deirdre Denali Rosenberg is a photographer and writer living in Southern Arizona. Photography, writing, wildlife, and the rugged outdoors have always been her passions. She is also an enthusiast of various mountain sports, holding credentials to lead trips and guide. With nearly three decades of wilderness experience, Deirdre is a confident outdoorswoman. She is also a Nature First photographer and a member of the North American Nature Photography Association. Learn more about her at her website here.

On a chilly September morning, one of the first of the season, I sat alone on my patio. Coffee cup in hand. Quietly battling another panic attack.

The previous few months had been bleak; so much loss. So much despair. These feelings are a part of the human condition, but somehow when we experience them we can feel so deeply alone.

As I took a breath, I closed my eyes, trying to soothe my frantic heart. I exhaled and opened my eyes, noticing a slight movement several feet in front of me. I focused on the movement and much to my surprise, I was looking at a big black tarantula.

Bewildered, I felt no fear. Only curiosity. I had never seen a tarantula before and I certainly didn’t expect them to live on my property up on the Colorado Plateau. I carefully stood up and went inside to grab my camera. And when I returned, the tarantula was still there. Wandering about, but in no rush. I began to snap off some photos, noticing orange hairs on this black spider. Noticing little eyes, little paws, fuzzy features. I became entranced by this bizarre arachnid and without realizing it, my heartbeat slowed. My breathing became steady. Relief came with eight legs that morning.

Aphonopelma marxi, or the Grand Canyon black tarantula, is a species of tarantula endemic to the Four Corners region of the southwest. Over the next couple of months, now aware of their presence, I would find many as their annual mating season was in full swing.

Like many animal lovers, my curiosity led me down the path of researching like a mad woman, learning everything I could about tarantulas in the southwest United States. Before my first A. marxi sighting, I thought I didn’t care for spiders. But in their company, I was finding a lot of peace.

Speak to any birding enthusiast and you will be convinced that birdwatching is beneficial to mental health for many reasons. But here I was having those feelings while observing wild tarantulas! The thrill of being in their company felt refreshing. Their slow movements allowed me to relax. And their interesting behaviors and beautiful coloring? I was in a constant state of wonder and awe in their presence. The more I learned about tarantulas, the more interested I was in observing more species in the wild. Which turned into a passion for me quickly as a wildlife photographer and advocate of misunderstood creatures.

The United States is home to a wide variety of endemic tarantulas, who thrive in an array of habitats, from mixed conifer forests to sagebrush steppe, to low desert. While surprisingly little is known about tarantulas as a whole, we can safely say that there are about 50 species native to the United States, with over 800 species worldwide. New species are discovered often!

Here in Arizona, the Madrean Sky Islands make excellent tarantula biomes and for folks interested in tarantula-watching, it’s a real delight, as each sky island hosts unique species with adaptations and behaviors well suited for their respective habitat.

In the Tortolita Mountains north of Tucson, encounters with Aphonopelma chalcodes (the Arizona Blond tarantula) are common. In contrast, Aphonopelma gabeli (the Chiricahuan Gray tarantula) can be found in the Chihuahuan Desert of southeast Arizona. Near Kingman, one might come across Aphonopelma mareki. In the Tombstone area, Aphonopelma vorhiesi is a normal sight. The list goes on — Arizona boasts at least 16 unique species of native tarantula.

As my tarantula passion grew, I began to notice that my mental health was becoming more stable. The anxiety and grief I had been struggling with for years were becoming more manageable. Like a thread of silk spun from a spinnerette blowing on a gentle breeze, these difficult feelings, I now understood, contained beauty. Without sorrow, it would be hard to notice joy. And as I worked through my darkness in the company of these spiders, joy did come.

The more I entangled myself in the world of tarantulas, the more I learned about the web of spider enthusiasts celebrating arachnids around the world. I was able to speak with Ph.D. candidate Jackie Billotte about her work with tarantulas. Through Jackie, I learned about the biggest tarantula meet-up in the country: La Junta, Colorado’s Tarantula Festival, where spider friends come from near and far. I knew I had to attend!

Mural of commonly misunderstood creatures, like tarantulas, in La Junta.

Just one month after talking with Jackie, I found myself in Colorado’s eastern plains, in the Comanche National Grasslands. I was waiting for the sun to begin setting with several other folks doing the same. We’d all arrived in La Junta from different parts of the country to do the same thing: witness Aphonopelma hentzi (Texas brown tarantula) males out in large numbers on their quest for love: the mission of their life.

We watched in amazement as noticeable movement in the grasslands began and the first few tarantulas were spotted. There was joy in the air as the Tarantula Festival kicked off!

The weekend was filled with tarantula-centric fun, including a parade, a costume contest, and a whole lot of educational programming. The festival did a wonderful job of teaching visitors why tarantulas are integral to the health of our ecosystems and how gentle they truly are.

Tarantulas, and many other spiders, are excellent pest control. Think of them as your local eco-friendly exterminators! They help agriculture thrive and protect native plants from harmful bugs. Folks who fear tarantulas may be concerned with getting a venomous bite, but don’t worry about being bit by a tarantula here in the United States. All the tarantulas that call this country home would rather run away than bite. And that venom they’ve got? It doesn’t really affect humans; it’s meant to paralyze their prey, which are little bugs typically.

Like with all wildlife, tarantulas deserve respect, and handling them is not a good practice. Surprisingly, they’re extremely fragile and can become mortally wounded from even a short fall off of a human hand.

Being in the field and in town with other tarantula fans was a moment of magic for my mental health. Building a community around these spiders has given many of us a sense of belonging. Meandering around grasslands quietly…softly…as the sun sets on the eastern plains with a group of new friends helped me regain some hope I had lost over the years. We laughed together and shared passion and enthusiasm watching spiders make their final journeys. It touched me in a profound way. And I know so many other visitors felt the same.

That weekend event in La Junta brings so many folks out to support the conservation and lives of wild tarantulas that it’s caught on big time, bumping up the popularity of the Coarsegold Tarantula Awareness Festival in California! Surely more tarantula-centric events will be announced as the support for eight-legged friends grows.

In the years since my first tarantula sighting, since my quest to spider-watch began, my mental health has improved greatly, though life hasn’t become less stressful. Time with tarantulas has simply taught me to slow down and breathe. To appreciate tiny lives and small worlds.

In the company of spiders, great peace can be found. And great reverence for this precious life we are given. So the next time you spot a tarantula eight-stepping its way across a road or in your yard, pause for a moment and observe. Live and let live. You may find that moment changes your life in unforeseen ways.

California condor spreading its wings. Photo Courtesy of George Andrejko, AZGFD.

Author: Cynthia Soria, State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)

Cynthia Soria is the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Coordinator for AZGFD. Cynthia joined the Department in 2014 as a wildlife specialist in the International and Borderlands Program where she collaborated with colleagues on a variety of projects aimed at the binational conservation of shared species. In her current position as SWAP Coordinator, she continues to collaborate with colleagues in the planning and coordination of wildlife conservation strategies. Cynthia is from - Ambos Nogales - as Nogalians affectionately call their neck of the woods along the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

Did you know that every State in the U.S. has a State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)? State Wildlife Action Plans are 10-year strategic plans required by Congress to receive funding under the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program — created in 2000 — which annually distributes funds to States for the conservation and management of state-determined Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCNs). State Wildlife Action Plans prioritize nongame SGCNs. There are other well-established funding mechanisms for the management of game species, such as the Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 and the Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, better known as the Pittman-Roberston and Dingell-Johnson Acts. SWAPs are non-regulatory blueprints that not only identify Species of Greatest Conservation Need in each state but also identify threats and conservation actions that can benefit these species and their habitats with the ultimate goal of keeping common species common to avert extinction.

The State of Arizona is a biodiverse state with more than 800 native wildlife species; it ranks third in the nation for the number of native bird species, second for reptiles, fifth for mammals, and eighth for overall vertebrate diversity. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD, also referred to as The Department) is the lead agency responsible for these 800+ wildlife species and for developing Arizona’s SWAP. Arizona’s first SWAP was finalized in 2005, and the second iteration was finalized earlier than the 10-year deadline, in 2012. Even though the AZGFD leads the effort in the development and revision of each SWAP, each new iteration involves coordination and input from the general public as well as numerous experts from other state and federal agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, Native American Tribes, local governments, and other stakeholders.

Arizona’s SWAP was most recently revised and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2022. Arizona’s SWAP is now called the Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy (AWCS). The most recent revision process resulted in many improvements and updates, including an updated SGCN list in which 551 amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles ranging from threatened and endangered species to more common and widespread species were identified. This list includes species such as the American kestrel with a statewide distribution, the Quitobaquito tryonia — a tiny springsnail only found at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, as well as another Sonoran desert-dwelling species — the Sonoran pronghorn. Identifying SGCNs helps the Department prioritize conservation actions to benefit wildlife and their habitats.

Another major improvement to the AWCS is the availability of a user-friendly, interactive website that can be accessed via this link: awcs.azgfd.com. Unlike previous versions of Arizona’s SWAP, the AWCS creates a fully interactive web-based version of our long-term conservation strategy in which the public can access tools and information about SGCNs, including habitat suitability models in the form of maps, detailed habitat profiles, learn about threats and conservation actions for Arizona’s wildlife and their habitats, and get familiar with Conservation Opportunity Areas (COAs).

The humpback chub, another Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Photo Courtesy of George Andrejko, AZGFD.

Conservation Opportunity Areas (COAs) are specific, non-regulatory areas on the landscape that were identified as areas of priority for conservation where implemented conservation actions would benefit the most species on the SGCN list. The Department identified 117 terrestrial COAs and 304 aquatic COAs. Within each COA, the Department identified ‘strategy species’, which refer to SGCN and other important wildlife that occur within COAs. Specific threats to these species and habitats were also identified in addition to specific conservation actions that can be taken to reduce and remedy these threats. Finally, and no less importantly, COAs offer a roadmap that conservation partners can utilize to prioritize and guide the implementation of conservation actions and/or incorporate into their planning efforts and conservation priorities.

We invite all Arizonans to visit the AWCS website (awcs.azgfd.com) to learn more about Arizona’s State Wildlife Action Plan and to explore ways to collaborate to keep common species common for current and future generations.

Mearns’ quail digging a feeding pit. Photo Courtesy of Mark Stromberg.

Author: Mark Stromberg, U of A Adjunct Professor

Have you heard of the Mearns’ Quail Project?

This project’s ultimate goal is to plant food plots for Mearns’ quail in order to support and increase the Mearns’ quail population in Arizona. Partners working on this include Tucson Audubon, Borderlands Restoration Network Native Plant Nursery, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, and Southern Arizona Quail Forever. Hunters can help enhance the food plot plantings by providing crops from their harvested Mearns' quail. At this past year’s QuailFest — an amazing event hosted by our affiliate Southern Arizona Quail Forever — hunters were encouraged to bring their crops to support this project — and they did!

Understanding the diet of a game bird reveals which parts of the landscape are critical, and for Mearns’ quail — also known as Montezuma quail — among the most important foods are nodules produced on the roots of a few different plants: nutsedge, Oxalis, and the tepary bean.

Quail hunters, working with wildlife researchers, have played a critical role in determining the diet of Mearns’ quail. This project goes a long way in improving the habitat quality of Mearns’ quail, and hunters are a huge part of that.

Mearns’ fall crop with contents. The larger brown nodules are nutsedge and the smaller, often white nodules are from Oxalis. Seeds form only a small percentage of the diet. Photo Courtesy of Mark Stromberg.

Among species of quail, Mearns’ have extraordinarily long toes, including a central toe used for digging. As such, Mearns’ quail dig up most of their food. They dig many conical holes, just about as deep as they can settle into. A majority of their diet are acorns, as they are most common in the oak savannas. Acorns underground? Their neighbor, the Mexican jay, a member of the genus Aphelocoma, is known to bury and then later find over 5,000 acorns over the course of a year! When Emory oaks have a good crop of acorns, Mexican jays spend all day hiding acorns under leaves. Later on, Mearns’ quail find some of these acorns.

Nutsedge is an ephemeral monsoon forb, or herbaceous flowering plant, that is a dietary favorite of Mearns' quail. The root nodule is shown in the left photo and the native nutsedge is shown on the right. Photo Courtesy of Mark Stromberg.

Plants with underground nodules are important in the Mearns’ diet. Most abundant in the crops of Mearns’ quail are nutsedge and Oxalis. Nutsedge, as shown in the two photos above, grows in shady, riparian areas, with sedge-like stems, triangular in cross-section.

Root nodules of Oxalis, as shown in the left image. The plant’s leaves resemble a four-leaf clover. Photo Courtesy of Angel Montoya.

Oxalis grows during the monsoon season in riparian, shady habitats with good soil moisture, as shown in the photo on the right. Another important food plant for Mearns’ is the native tepary bean, (Phaseolus acutifolius). If these plants are grazed to the ground before they can produce root nodules, food supplies for Mearns’ will be limited.

Native tepary bean plant and seeds grown from Mearns' quail crop contents from the Santa Rita mountains. Photo Courtesy of Mark Stromberg.

Are you interested in participating in the Mearns’ Quail Project or know a hunter who might be? For a pre-paid shipping box to send quail crops to the program, contact: Aya Picket, Tucson Audubon, Restoration Project Manager, 520-627-8120

A very special thank you to the partners of this project and the hunters who have supported it through their participation!