BLM Partners and Volunteers Enhance Desert Garden at San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

Volunteers, community organizations and servicemembers play an important role in helping care for America's public lands. Supporting those connections is a key goal of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s All Americans Outside initiative, which promotes opportunities for people to explore, learn, serve and work on public lands. Earlier this month, those goals came together at the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area during a National Public Lands Day project hosted by the Friends of the San Pedro River. 

During this event, volunteers and soldiers from Fort Huachuca’s 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, Company B took advantage of mild temperatures and cloud cover to support a work project at the San Pedro House.

The workers improved the xeriscape garden outside the San Pedro House. They removed several stumps, placed landscape gravel, removed Bermuda grass and other weedy species, raked leaves, and planted new desert plants. San Pedro House is the primary visitor contact station at the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. In addition to the xeriscape garden, the area includes a volunteer-run bookstore and gift shop, restrooms, informational signage, and a picnic area. 

“Service projects like this are a perfect way to take ownership as a steward of public lands,” said Tucson Assistant Field Manager Michael Dixon. “Our volunteers provide real benefits to the scenery, natural resources, and visitor enjoyment of these special places.”  

After the work was completed, everyone gathered for a picnic of burgers, homemade dishes, fruit, and dessert. “In the tradition of military coin exchange, we handed out Friends of the San Pedro River hat pins to the soldiers and National Public Lands Day t-shirts for the volunteers,” said Joanne Roberts, president of the Friends of the San Pedro River. 

Since 2013, the BLM has been a partner in the Sentinel Landscapes program with Fort Huachuca. The BLM works with the military and other federal, state, and local partners to promote compatible land uses that support the operations and mission of the fort.  

Soldiers at the fort have partnered with the Friends of the San Pedro River for more than 20 years supporting the xeriscape garden and other large projects within the national conservation area. Company B has adopted two xeriscape “pods” in the garden. They schedule a work morning each month and participate in two major work days each year.

In addition to volunteer work days, the Friends of the San Pedro River manages two visitor contact stations—San Pedro House and Fairbank School House—and hosts guided walks and other educational programs at the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

Groups like the Friends of the San Pedro River support the BLM’s mission to manage these special areas for the benefit of current and future generations. The BLM encourages all Americans to get outside to enjoy, learn, serve, and work.  There’s an opportunity for everyone. To explore opportunities near you, visit volunteer.gov.