ARIZONA ANTELOPE FOUNDATION
I-17 Wildlife Overpass Fence Modification: August 9-11, 2024
Please RSVP by Monday August 5th online at this Arizona Game and Fish link:
Let us know if you are attending so we can plan to have enough food and tools for everyone.
Registration Instructions: If you have questions about the process, download this PDF tutorial for assistance
Project Location: We will be working on the Coconino National Forest 14 miles south of Flagstaff.
Project Begins: Saturday, August 10th at 8:00AM. Meet at camp for specific work instructions, this is a 1-day project. The campsite is located within two miles of the project site. NOTE: If you are a first-time attendee, please go to the following link and watch the 4 separate videos on actual fence modifications: https://www.azantelope.org/Volunteer
Project Activity: We will be modifying approximately 4.2 miles of fence in 2 locations by raising the 2 bottom wires up with the bottom wire spaced at 20 inches. The bottom wire is already a smooth wire. If we complete both of those segments by mid-day, we will move to another fence that is 5.8 miles in length that is adjacent to a road with a 4-strand fence, remove the bottom wire and replace it with smooth wire at a height of 20 inches.
Pronghorn Benefits: The project is located on both sides of I-17 in an area identified as a major crossing for both pronghorn and elk in the summer and going to lower elevations for winter range. Modifying these fences will allow easier access for pronghorn and elk nearing and physically crossing using a large planned I-17 overpass. This is our first of several fence projects in this zone of the Coconino Forest. The long-term goal of this interstate crossing project is to permit Pronghorn habitat connectivity across three forests: Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott National Forests.
Volunteer Benefits: All volunteer work hours and mileage will be used as an in-kind match for federally funded wildlife enhancement projects including the Arizona Game and Fish Habitat Partnership program.
What to Bring: Work gloves (The AAF will have a limited supply), snacks, water, and personal gear.
Meals: Please provide your own lunches to eat in the field on Saturday workdays. The AAF will be providing dinners on Friday and Saturday nights and continental breakfasts with coffee and juice on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Contact: Sign up online at this link with AZGFD or call Glen Dickens (520-247-4907) or RSVP to info@azantelope.org. Please RSVP by Monday, August 5th so we can plan to have enough food and tools for everyone.
Directions to Camp:
- From Flagstaff travel 14 miles south on Interstate 17 to Mile Post 326 (Willard Springs Exit) turn west on Forest Road #253 until you pass the transfer station, stay on #253 not #253B, and continue 1.25 miles to the campsite. The roads and campsite are trailer-friendly.
- From Camp Verde travel 36 miles north to Mile Post 326 and follow the instructions above.
Camping Restrictions: No restrictions to note at this time. If fire restrictions are in place during this project they would include no open fires and the use of charcoal.
Download the flyer with the map here.
