Birds First Aplomado Preserve Management Plan

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Prepared by Cheryl McIntyre

University of Arizona

Rangeland Planning

RAM 587

Introduction

This management plan provides guidance for the next 10 years for the Birds First Aplomado Preserve. The plan describes the management philosophy and suggests a decision-making framework. This plan explains and analyzes three alternatives for management of the Aplomado Preserve and suggests a preferred alternative for approval by the Birds First Board of Directors. Birds First is a 501(c)3 based in Tubac, Arizona. The Natural Resource Conservation Service’s conservation planning process (NRCS 1997) guided the development of this plan. The planning process did not include formal outreach to the public but included coordination and consultation with the Birds First Board of Directors, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Arizona, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the ranch manager of the Santa Rita Experimental Range.

Site Description

In February 2013, Birds First acquired the approximately 7251 acres (2934 hectares) Aplomado Preserve from the Arizona State Land Department. The property was formerly within the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) and is located in Pima County, Arizona (Figure 1; UA 2013a). When part of the SRER, the property was divided into four pastures: 6A, 6B, 6D, and 6E. This report refers to the pastures as they were configured at the time of sale. From 1984-1985 to 2005-2006, the property was grazed using the "Santa Rita Grazing System." In the fall of 2007, the grazing system at the SRER changed to a more adaptive grazing scheme (UA 2013b).

Resources

The Aplomado Preserve contains two nesting pairs of northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis; hereafter falcon). Designated as a federally endangered species in 1986 (USFWS 2007) and an Arizona Species of Special Concern in 1986 (Pima County 2013), the falcon was extirpated in the U.S. by the end of the 1950s (USFWS 2007). In Arizona and New Mexico, falcon habitat consists of desert grasslands with sparse yucca and mesquite. In Chihuahua, Mexico, falcon nests are located in areas with spare shrub and tree cover. However, the nesting habitats are frequently located near or surrounded by woodlands that provide habitat for prey birds (Macias-Duarte et al. 2004). The falcons occupy nests built by birds such as Swainson’s hawks or red-tailed hawks. The primary nesting season is from March to June (USFWS 2007).

Elevation at the Aplomado Preserve ranges from 3220ft (~980m) in the northwestern portion to just over 4900ft (~1494m) with most of the preserve under 4000ft (122m). The Aplomado Preserve contains nine ecological sites and ten soil map units. Vegetation at the Aplomado Preserve consists of grasses, succulents and shrubs (UA 2013c). Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) cover is moderate (~17%) but has generally increased over the past 30 years. Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) a non-native grass occurs on the site. However, another non-native grass of concern, buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), has not been recorded on the long-term monitoring transects within the preserve (UA 2013c). Annual precipitation across the Aplomado Preserve averaged 14.5 inches from 1981 to 2010 (years with missing monthly data were excluded). However, precipitation is variable in both space and time. From 1981-2010, average annual precipitation ranged from 13 to 16.3 inches at the four rain gauges within the Aplomado Preserve (UA 2013d). Please refer to the "Aplomado Preserve Inventory" for additional information on and analysis of the natural resources at the Aplomado Preserve.

All range improvements made prior to 2013 remain on the property and include three water tanks and nearly 24 miles of fence. The preserve also contains four weather stations and markers for dozens of long-term vegetation transects and photo points. These research related materials are the property of the University of Arizona and remain on the preserve.

Staff at Birds First consists of a full-time Executive Director and a part-time Research Assistant. The Birds First endowment funds these positions. However, beyond staff and basic operating costs, the financial capacity of Birds First is limited. However, they will seek funds for high priority improvements to the Aplomado Preserve.

Relevant Regulations and Planning Efforts

The Northern Aplomado Falcon was designated as a federally endangered species in 1986. In 2006, a nonessential experimental population of the falcon was established in Arizona and New Mexico (USFWS 2007). Thus, under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act, the population in Arizona is not considered essential to the continuation of the species. Under the nonessential experimental population designation, incidental take of a falcon is authorized but intentional take is prohibited (USFWS 2007). The Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan plans for growth within Pima County. The plan recognizes ranch conservation as a primary tool for conserving wildlife and open space within the county (Pima County 2010). An updated grazing strategy for the Santa Rita Experimental went into effect in the fall of 2007. The plan utilizes the principles of adaptive management to manage two herds on the range. Under the grazing strategy, the summer forage production is used to determine stocking rates (UA 2013a).

Goals and Objectives

Birds First acquired the Aplomado Preserve due to the presence of two breeding pairs of northern aplomado falcon. Thus, the primary goal of the Aplomado Preserve is to conserve the northern aplomado falcon and maximize habitat for the falcon. To achieve this environmental goal, Bird First established three management objectives and two sub-objectives related to the environmental goal:

Maintain a desert grassland vegetation community with scattered shrubs

Maintain or increase populations of native plants and reduce populations of undesirable species

Soils maintain ground cover, infiltration rates, and erosion rates that are appropriate to the ecological site

Water quality is maintained or improved

Minimize fire risk with an emphasis of preventing fire from escaping the preserve

Birds First also has a social goal of maximizing appropriate use of the site by the public. There are two objectives related to the social goal:

Maximize public use of the site

Maintain positive relationships with surrounding landowners and a positive reputation in the region

Financially, Birds First goal is to profit from the Aplomado Preserve in order to maintain the preserve and fund research on the falcons. Thus, the financial objective is to operate the preserve at a profit.

Alternatives

The planning team developed three alternatives for management of Aplomado Preserve over the next 10 years. The alternatives represent different ways of managing use of the preserve to meet the overall goals and objectives of the preserve. While developing the alternatives, the planning team considered a variety of suggestions from the Birds First Board of Directors and nearby land managers. The alternatives would apply to the entire Aplomado Preserve. Table 1 summarize the key elements of each alternative.

Table 1. Key elements of alternatives for management of the Aplomado Preserve.

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

Recreation

Livestock

Livestock and Recreation

Recreation

Recreational use by permit only. Annual permits cost $15/person or $25/family

None

Recreational use by permit only. Annual permits cost $15/person or $25/family

Recreation Facilities

None

None

Parking lot, trail, informational kiosk

Grazing

None

Grazing lease at Arizona State Land Department rates. Grazing managed using flexible and adaptive system.

Grazing lease at Arizona State Land Department rates. Grazing managed using flexible and adaptive system.

Several strategies and actions are common to all three alternatives and are described here rather than within each alternative. For all alternatives, Birds First will comply will all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Land treatments, such as mesquite management, invasive plant control, and prescribed fire, may be necessary to maintain a mosaic of grasslands and shrublands within the Aplomado Preserve. Continued monitoring of the long-term transects is necessary to determine when and where treatments are necessary and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments.

Alternative 1 –Recreation

Alternative 1, "Recreation," is the most restrictive of the alternatives and limits the use of the Aplomado Preserve to dispersed recreation. Livestock grazing is eliminated from the preserve. Furthermore, recreational use is only allowed by permit, similar to the system employed by the Arizona State Land Department. The public will acquire permits through the Birds First website for an annual fee of $15 per person or $25 per family. Estimates of permit demand suggest that Birds First can sell 1000 permits per year for annual revenue of $15,000-$25,000. A one-time cost of $2,000 to design the permit website would be incurred during the first year. Annual maintenance costs for the website and preserve are estimated at $2,500 under the Recreation Alternative.

Under the Recreation Alternative, the public would have year-round access to the preserve via the permit system. Commercial uses of the preserve are not allowed. However, Birds First may conduct special events at the preserve that do not require individuals and families to acquire a permit but that may require an entrance fee.

Permitted uses of the Aplomado Preserve include bird watching, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and photography. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are restricted to designated roads. Overnight use and fires are not allowed. Visitor facilities, such as trails, pavilions and picnic areas, will not be constructed. Range improvements on the Aplomado Preserve, such as fencing and stock tanks, will not be removed.

The terms of the recreation permit will protect the natural resources of the Aplomado Preserve. Failure to comply with the terms will result in the revocation of the permit. The permit holder will remove all trash and litter, properly dispose of human waste, and leave gates as they were found (open or closed). The permit holder will not destroy preserve property (including fences) or harass wildlife. Recreationists must stay at least 200 yards from aplomado falcons. Viewing of the falcons at this distance will likely require binoculars or a spotting scope with 10-15x magnification.

Alternative 2 – Livestock

Alternative 2, "Livestock," continues cattle grazing on the Aplomado Preserve but does not allow public access for recreation. Under the Livestock Alternative, the Aplomado Preserve is managed for both natural resources and commodities. The Aplomado Preserve would be leased to the rancher who owns the cattle grazing on the SRER. Livestock grazing would continue under the current grazing management scheme of the SRER. The Aplomado Preserve would be leased for grazing at fees matching those of the Arizona State Land Department. In 2012, Arizona State Land Department grazing fees were $2.41 per animal unit month. Grazing fees are adjusted annually by the Arizona State Land Department and ranged from $1.95 to $2.52 per animal unit month from 1996 to 2012 (ASLD 2013). Fees for grazing on the Aplomado Preserve will be adjusted annually to match the Arizona State Land Department’s fees. Annual maintenance costs incurred by Birds First for the preserve are estimated at $1,500 for the Livestock Alternative.

The SRER grazing scheme employs adaptive management to determine stocking rates. Researchers from the University of Arizona monitor forage productivity during the summer to set stocking rates for the subsequent fall (SRER 2013a). Therefore, the stocking rate at the Aplomado Preserve will not be constant from year to year. However, stocking rates shall not exceed 325 animal unit months per pasture and utilization of preferred forage shall not exceed 40%. Over the past five years, stocking rates in the pastures now part of the Aplomado Preserve ranged from 148 to 325 animal unit months from 2008 to 2012 (Table 2; UA 2013e). In general, stocking rates were higher in pastures 6A and 6E than in 6B and 6D. Based on grazing fees of $2.41 per animal unit month, income from the grazing lease would have ranged from $1470 to $2700 (Table 2). The lessee will be responsible for contracting with the University of Arizona for monitoring required to determine an appropriate stocking rate. The grazing lease will be contingent on such monitoring.

Range improvements, such as fences, pens, corrals, wells, pumps and stock tanks, will be the responsibility of the lessee. If the lessee desires to make range improvements, s/he shall file an application with Birds First. Except in rare circumstances, costs of range improvements are the responsibility of the lessee. However, Birds First will cooperate with the lessee to apply for matching-funds from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

The lessee may propose land treatments beyond those described in the introduction to the alternatives section. Land treatments, such as brush management, invasive plant control and prescribed fire, will be planned and implemented collaboratively by Birds First and the lessee. Birds First and the lessee will share the costs of the land treatments. They will apply for funds from the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. All land treatments to benefit the lessee must maintain or improve habitat for the aplomado falcon.

Table 2. Stocking rate averages, maximums, and minimums for Aplomado Preserve pastures when grazed as part of the Santa Rita Experimental Range, 2008-2012 (SRER 2013e), and related potential income from grazing fees at $2.41 per animal unit month.

Animal Unit Months (AUM)

Income from Grazing Fees

Pasture

Average

Max.

Min.

Average

Max.

Min.

6A

239

325

151

$575.99

$783.25

$363.91

6B

188

229

158

$453.08

$551.89

$380.78

6D

197

288

153

$474.77

$694.08

$368.73

6E

224

287

148

$539.84

$691.67

$356.68

Total

$2,043.68

$2,720.89

$1,470.10

Alternative 3 – Livestock and Recreation

Alternative 3, "Livestock and Recreation," proposes the continuation of cattle grazing on the Aplomado Preserve and allows public access for recreation. The Livestock and Recreation Alternative integrates cattle grazing from the Livestock Alternative (2) and expands on the Recreation Alternative (1). Under the Livestock and Recreation Alternative, the Aplomado Preserve is managed for natural resources, commodities, and recreation.

As described in the Livestock Alternative, the Aplomado Preserve would be leased to the rancher who owns the cattle grazing on the SRER at fees matching those of the Arizona State Land Department ($2.41 per animal unit month in 2012). Grazing would continue under the current grazing management scheme of the SRER, which employs adaptive management to determine stocking rates. As with the Livestock Alternative, utilization of preferred forage shall not exceed 40% and stocking rates shall not exceed 325 animal unit months per pasture. Table 2 provides additional information about recent stocking rates and related revenue from grazing fees. As described in the Livestock Alternative, range improvements will be the responsibility of the lessee and must be approved by Birds First. The lessee may propose land treatments beyond those described in the introduction to the alternatives section. Land treatments must maintain or improve aplomado falcon habitat and will be collaboratively designed and implemented by Birds First and the lessee.

Recreational use of the Aplomado Preserve will be managed through a permit system, as described in the Recreation Alternative. The public will have year-round access to the preserve. Annual permits cost $15 per person or $25 per family and will be acquired through the Birds First website. Estimates of permit demand suggest that Birds First can sell 1000 permits per year for annual revenue of $15,000-$25,000. Commercial uses of the preserve are not allowed. Permitted uses of the Aplomado Preserve include bird watching, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and photography. Overnight use and fires are not allowed. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are restricted to designated roads. The terms of the recreation permit are the same as those described in the Recreation Alternative with the addition that people will not harass livestock. Recreationists must stay at least 200 yards from aplomado falcons.

In contrast to the Recreation Alternative, a small number of visitor facilities will be constructed. A pull-out off of Road 505 where pastures 6B, 6D, and 6A meet will be expanded into a dirt parking area. An information kiosk will be installed at the parking area. The kiosk will include information about the aplomado falcon, the history of the preserve, and the required permits and terms of use of the preserve. From the parking lot, Birds First will construct a 1.5-mile loop trail that extends to the southwest. The trail will extend into an area used by the falcons for nesting. However, the trail will not come within a quarter mile of the current nesting location. Anticipated costs for trail construction is $15,000, parking lot construction is $3,000, and for kiosk design and installation is $5,000. Additional, a one-time cost of $2,000 would be necessary to design the permit website. Maintenance of the permit website, parking lot, trail and kiosk are anticipated at $5,000 per year.

Analysis of Alternatives

The alternatives were analyzed based on the environmental, social, and financial goals and objectives described above. The qualitative analyses were based on the knowledge and professional judgment of the authors, data from the University of Arizona, and related scientific studies.

Environmental Impacts

All three alternatives may require brush management, invasive species management, and prescribed fire to maintain aplomado falcon habitat. This may have negative impacts on air quality and positive and negative impacts on vegetation, soils, and wildlife. However, the likely overall positive impacts on the aplomado habitat outweigh the potential negative impacts and help to meet the overall goal of the preserve.

The Recreation Alternative, alternative 1, allows for dispersed recreation. Potential negative impacts include trampling of soils and native vegetation by humans. Recreational users may also harass wildlife and leave behind trash. Although these impacts are mitigated for in the terms of the recreation permits, enforcement may be difficult. In addition, people may create informal trails to the nesting locations. Human activity too close or for too long can cause aplomado falcons to abandon their nests. Based on experience with reintroduced populations, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends that people view the falcons from at least 200 yards (TPWD 2003). Therefore, this distance is included in the terms of the recreation permits for the Recreation Alternative. Adherence to this rule should prevent negative impacts to the falcon. Although grazing is not allowed under the Recreation Alternative, trespass cattle may enter the preserve and may result in damage to native plants. Overall, the impacts to the aplomado falcon, vegetation, and soils are expected to be slight in the Recreation Alternative. However, the exclusion of cattle may allow for the accumulation of fine fuels, increasing the fire risk.

The Livestock Alternative, alternative 2, allows for cattle grazing. Overall, the evidence regarding the effect of grazing on the falcon is equivocal (Truett 2002). Cattle grazing may benefit the falcon by reducing the height of grasses and making hunting easier (Truett 2002). Potential negative impacts include trampling of soils and vegetation, and changes in native plant composition and abundance. However, these impacts are mitigated for in the adaptive management strategy and the adoption of conservative stocking rates and utilization rates. In addition, the grazing strategy allows for flexibility to protect both the environmental resources and the livestock. The grazing strategy should allow the preserve to meet all three environmental management objectives. Although recreation is not allowed under the Livestock Alternative, people may trespass in order to observe the aplomado falcons. This may result in trampling of native vegetation and soils, potential damage to range infrastructure, and harassment of cattle. Overall, the impacts to the aplomado falcon are expected to be positive and the negative impacts to vegetation and soils are expected to be slight in the Livestock Alternative.

The Livestock and Grazing Alternative, alternative 3, allows for both livestock and cattle grazing. Thus, the environmental impacts should be similar to those for the other two alternatives. However, the negative impacts of recreation should be reduced by the construction of a short trail and an informational kiosk. The kiosk may increase the adherence of the public to the terms of the recreation permits and remind visitors to stay at least 200 yards from the falcons. In addition, the short trail should minimize trampling impacts to vegetation and soils but providing an easy route to view the falcons.

Social Impacts

The Recreation Alternative, alternative 1, has positive and negative social impacts. The limitation of public access to the site by the permit system may cause negative perceptions of Birds First. However, these perceptions may be offset by positive views that see the permit system as an appropriate mechanism to manage use. Surrounding landowners may have a positive view of the permit system because it sets rules and regulations for access that should also protect their lands. The termination of grazing within the preserve will likely have negative social impacts. Ranching was recognized as an important conservation element and cultural value in Pima County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (Pima County 2010). Therefore, removing grazing from the preserve may generate negative perceptions and relationships beyond just the local ranchers and the research community.

The Livestock Alternative, alternative 2, also has positive and negative social impacts. The lack of public access will result in negative perceptions of Birds First. Sighting the aplomado falcon is an important achievement for some birders and not allowing public access to the preserve may anger some people. Although relationships with the ranching community will likely be positive under this scenario, not all members of the public view grazing as an appropriate use of a wildlife reserve.

The Livestock and Recreation Alternative, alternative 3, also has positive and negative social impacts. Because it combines the other two alternatives, the Livestock and Recreation Alternative has all of the positive and negative perceptions associated with livestock grazing and recreation described above. However, providing infrastructure for the public, such as a parking lot and trail, may increase the positive perceptions because the recreation appears better managed.

Fiscal Impacts

Financially, Birds First goal is to profit from the Aplomado Preserve in order to maintain the preserve and fund research on the falcons. Thus, the financial objective is to operate the preserve at a profit.

The three alternatives range from Birds First making a small to modest profit from the Aplomado Preserve after one-time capital costs are completed (Table 3). If all one-time capital costs are incurred during the first year, then the Livestock and Recreation Alternative results in a $3500 loss in year one. The budget for the 1.5 full-time equivalent staff are not included in Table 3 because they are funded by the Birds First endowment.

Table 3. Summary of costs, revenues, and profits for alternatives for management of the Aplomado Preserve. Numbers in parentheses indicate a deficit.

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

Recreation

Livestock

Livestock and Recreation

Annual Operating Costs

Staff

1.5 FTE

1.5 FTE

1.5 FTE

Maintenance

$ 2,500

$ 1,500

$ 5,000

One-Time Capital Costs

Website Design

$ 2,000

---

$ 2,000

Trail Building

---

---

$ 15,000

Kiosk Design and Installation

---

---

$ 5,000

Dirt Parking Lot

---

---

$3,000

Projected Revenues

Recreation Permits

$ 20,000

---

$ 20,000

Grazing Permits

---

$ 2,000

$ 2,000

Potential Profits*

Year 1

$ 15,500

$ 500

($ 3,500)

Subsequent Years

$ 17,500

$ 500

$ 17,000

*Year 1 profits are revenues minus one-time capital costs and annual operating costs. Subsequent year profits are revenues minus annual operating costs.

Recommended Alternative

The Livestock and Recreation Alternative (alternative 3) is the recommended alternative. Overall, the environmental impacts of the three alternatives are fairly similar. However, the Livestock and Recreation Alternative has the advantages of cattle grazing reducing fine fuel loads, and hence fire risk, as well as limiting trampling of native vegetation and soils by building a hiking trail and encouraging visitors to use the trail. All alternatives have both positive and negative social impacts. The Livestock and Recreation Alternative is no worse or no better than the other alternatives when considering public perception of Birds First. Economically, the Livestock and Recreation Alternative requires additional capital for one-time costs to build a parking lot, trail, and informational kiosk. However, the recreation facilities will mitigate potential impacts to natural resources within the preserve.

Implementation Strategy

Once the Birds First Board of Directors decides on an alternative, the Birds First Executive Director can implement the plan. If the Livestock and Recreation Alternative is approved, implementation includes:

Secure lease agreement with SRER rancher

Meet with SRER rancher and University of Arizona researchers to ensure access for monitoring and discuss other information needs

Secure contract for recreation permit website

Develop recreation permit website

Secure contract for parking lot construction

Secure contract for trail construction

Solicit volunteers for trail construction

Secure contract for kiosk design

Secure contract for kiosk installation

Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation of the Aplomado Preserve Management Plan is critical to tracking implementation of the plan and to evaluate the success of the plan. At a minimum, the following monitoring is suggested:

Monitoring aplomado falcon populations, potentially in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Collaborate with the University of Arizona on the long-term vegetation transects within the preserve

Conduct additional monitoring of aplomado falcon habitat as needed

Monitor visitor use through the recreation permit website

Monitor visitor impacts through qualitative visual assessments and surveys of recreation permit holders

The Aplomado Preserve Management Plan should be revised every 10 years. If amendments are