Fall Red Canyon Reserve Gathering

Join us for our Annual Fall Red Canyon Reserve Gathering!

This year, we will be gathering for educational presentations as well as volunteer opportunities to maintain the well-being of Red Canyon infrastructure. Educational workshops on site will be offered by staff from the Institute of Applied Ecology on native seed collection and from UNM Research Assistant Professor Eva Stricker on the impact of organic amendments on rangelands. Camping will be available on both Friday, October 6 and Saturday October 7. We’re excited to host interested land stewards to connect and build relationships at this beautiful site.

Educational offering descriptions:
Dr. Eva Stricker is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico studying how microbes affect biogeochemical cycling in drylands. She will discuss current research on how compost, decomposed organic waste filled with microbes, affects rangeland soil health and productivity. We can tour the small demonstration plots at Red Canyon Reserve as well as visit the research plots at Armendaris Ranch. We can discuss methods for conducting these on-field trials as well as simple and repeatable monitoring that can be done by researchers and ranchers alike.

Native Seed Collection with the Institute for Applied Ecology: Learn about the role of native seeds in restoration at Red Canyon Reserve and beyond, and get hands-on experience with native seed collection protocols. We will touch on each aspect of the native seed collection process, from identifying target species, determining seed ripeness, collecting seed data, vouchering, collection techniques, to seed processing and storage.

Participation in this gathering requires the ability to navigate rocky terrain and a small set of stairs for the outhouse, spending multiple hours walking and on one’s feet, eating out of doors, and camping if you decide to spend the night. Driving to the site headquarters requires a high clearance vehicle; a shuttle will be organized for folks into the site from the road as needed.

This workshop is free; if you are able to, please donate to support the cost of provided meals in the field provided in the registration form.

Agenda:

Friday October 6:
Volunteer work to give Red Canyon some TLC: reseal wood structures; erosion control

Saturday October 7:
Morning: Native Seed Collection with Institute of Applied Ecology
Afternoon: Organic Amendments on Rangelands with Eva Stricker

Sunday October 8:
Morning: Volunteer work to give Red Canyon some TLC: erosion control; wildlife drinkers
Afternoon: Tour local field trials of organic amendments with Eva at Armendaris Ranch

This agenda is subject to change. A more detailed agenda with activity descriptions, mealtimes, and packing guidelines will be shared with registrants closer to the event date.

Questions about the workshop can go to CJ at cj.ames@quiviracoalition.org or at 505-393-1622.