The endangered Gila topminnow is swimming in the newly restored pond at Agua Caliente on Tucson’s east side.

500 Gila topminnows were released into the pond on Wednesday, May 13, by staff from multiple county and state agencies. The fish release, part of the larger Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, has been years in the making.

The small green and black Gila topminnow once swam throughout Tucson’s water system, but loss of habitat and predation from non-native fish landed them on the endangered species list in 1967. Topminnows survived in sparse populations in the Santa Cruz watershed, such as in Cienega Creek.

“They were in very dire straits in terms of very few natural sites that still had them,” said Karen Simms, Natural Resources division manager for Pima County’s Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department. “There’s been a lot of effort in expanding the number of sites that have topminnow in recent years.”

Aside from loss of habitat, one of their greatest threats were the non-native mosquitofish, which outcompete them for food.

“The Gila topminnow actually do just as good of a job at mosquito control, so another one of our goals is to change over the water sources we manage to have topminnow instead of mosquitofish in them,” Simms said.

Hikers will be required to wear face masks and stay at least six feet apart from other visitors to Tumamoc Hill once the popular outdoor attraction reopens Memorial Day, next Monday, May 25.

The University of Arizona announced the change, which will include new arrows along the path spaced 10 feet apart in order to help maintain distance and flow of foot traffic up and down the hill. In addition to masks and physical distancing, visitors will also be asked to limit group sizes to three people, use hand-sanitizing stations along the path and not touch the gate at the top of the hill.

PHOENIX – If there’s any doubt that wildfire poses a high risk to property in Arizona, the U.S. Forest Service would like to paint a different picture – in blazing reds and flaming yellows.

Those colors blanket the state in a tool the service released last month that attempts to show wildfire risk to communities across the nation, using wildfire data from recent years to project the risk to homes, exposure types, vulnerable population statistics and wildfire likelihood.

The Forest Service said the interactive website “provides a starting point for community leaders and fire experts when assessing and taking steps to reduce risk to homes, businesses and community resources.”

In Arizona, the map shows not just a high likelihood of wildfire across the state, but a high risk of wildfire damage to many Arizona homes and communities.

Although Gov. Doug Ducey has allowed gyms to reopen this week, runners who enjoy the social aspect of group activities will likely have to wait longer before they see an opportunity to join an organized pack.

While it hasn’t been hard to see runners jogging solo or in pairs through Arizona’s stay-at-home order, there are many eager to see social distancing protocols ease so they can get back to participating in activities that can help motivate and make running “social” again.

“It’s important to have those ‘accountability buddies’ so we can maintain our motivation,” says Dr. Amy Athey, executive director of Student Wellness and Retention at University of Arizona and former UA Dept. of Athletics Associate Athletics Director for Psychological Services and Wellness. “These are challenging times when our routines are disrupted, so this an opportunity to look for other connections.”

In lieu of face-to-face gatherings, Athey suggests utilizing virtual platforms—such as Strava or MapMyRun—to mimic “being there.”

“One of the challenges of social distancing is how can we keep [our] connections going?” she posits. “We need to be creative and flexible.”

Athey has been virtually exercising with a friend via phone apps. Afterwards, they connect by phone or video to talk about their experiences and otherwise catch up.

Another strategy she advocates is keeping things in perspective and managing expectations. If running isn’t a viable option, go for a walk or ride a bicycle. The important thing, Athey says, is to get out and exercise and maintain connections with the outside world.

“I’m encouraging people to say, ‘OK, that’s what I did today; I didn’t run today, but I did walk.’ The important thing to remember is that we will get through this,” she says. “It won’t be forever.”

Oro Valley is bringing in a new company to manage the town-owned golf courses.

Billy Casper Golf will take over management from Troon Golf within the next 90 days.

It’s the latest twist in the town’s management of the golf course, which has been a major controversy since the Oro Valley Town Council agreed to purchase the golf course and an associated community center in 2014 from the HSL Properties. While the community center has been a popular spot for everything from youth summer camps to senior leisure classes, the golf courses have lost money and required millions in subsidies from the town.

The resulting controversy triggered a 2015 recall attempt and was a major issue in the 2018 election that brought Mayor Joe Winfield and three new Oro Valley council members into office.

Oro Valley posted a request for proposals Jan. 24 searching for a new course operator. Troon was brought on to handle the golf course, food and beverage, tennis operations, and swimming pool operations in 2015. Since then, the town took over the pool and El Conquistador Tennis, LLC took over tennis.

PHOENIX – Arizona’s outdoors continue to be a source of solace and relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Grand Canyon National Park, Saguaro National Park and other national sites remain closed, state parks, the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and other popular hiking spots remain open with some restrictions.

Gov. Doug Ducey deemed outdoor recreation essential in his executive stay-at-home order on March 30, and parks and trails saw large numbers of visitors initially. Many state and city parks remain open but with safety measures, such as keeping 6 feet apart and avoiding congregating. Ducey this month extended his stay-home order until May 15, and allowed a limited number of businesses, including hair salons, to reopen with safety measures in place.

Health and exercise experts say it’s safe to break a sweat outdoors if you take precautions and leave yourself “wiggle room” when encountering others. And you can always exercise from home, they add.

“Some of our parks have seen an increase in day use, which is people just going in there for the day to hike or just get outdoors,” said Michelle Thompson, chief of communications for Arizona State Parks & Trails. “There are a lot of people who are looking for ways to get out of the house that maybe they haven’t done before.”

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, Saguaro National Park East and West have remained open (sans restrooms and parking lots) to allow locals a place to get some fresh air while Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order has been in place.

While park officials are still determining how to best reopen amenities, they are encouraging park users to prepare for soaring temperatures in the Sonoran Desert.

“It is hot and we recommend getting an early start and only hiking in the morning,” Saguaro National Parks spokesperson Andy Fisher said. “Once the temperature is over 95, we suggest being back to the trailhead before 10 a.m. Make sure you have a plan and have communicated that plan to someone who will know when to expect you back, and always, always, always take more water than you expect to need.”

Fisher said that there has been an uptick in park users needing rescue because the have run out of water. She urges: “When it's half down, turn around.”

“We can't stress how important it is to know your own limitations and not try to test them these days,” she says.

Saguaro Parks has yet to determine how its “phased reopening” will happen, but are working to determine how to safely open facilities.

“We know that it will be a phased reopening, so probably not what we would expect as a ‘normal’ operation this summer,” Fisher concludes. “Staff and visitor safety are paramount to the decisions we are making.”

Tucsonans can’t go to a concert, a gym or a movie, but those who want to get out of the house while maintaining “social distancing” can still enjoy the myriad trails in the region.

But don’t expect to hang out under a ramada or let the kids climb on a playground.

With so few other options for getting out of the house, people have been flocking to the parks, which must remain open as an “essential service” under the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Doug this week.

Jurisdictions have canceled any group activities or events and Pima County, the City of Tucson and the Town of Oro Valley have had to close playgrounds and ramadas because they encouraged too much mingling among cooped-up children and adults. The Town of Marana has not closed its playgrounds and ramadas, but is monitoring them to reduce crowding.

Federal open space such as Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area have closed restrooms, comfort stations and visitor centers, canceled all public programs and suspended fee collection for the foreseeable future. Group campsites in Coronado National Forest are closed, although trails and remote camping areas are still accessible.

Officials advise park users to maintain at least six feet of distance from others and limit group sizes to fewer than 10 people.

Sandy Bahr, director of Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, echoed the need to practice trail safety and avoid crowding, noting an increase in congestion at trailheads throughout central and southern Arizona.

Are you looking to expand the natural environment in and around your house? Look no further than Tohono Chul’s upcoming Spring Plant Sale, held Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22.

The sale will include an extensive offering of both standard and unusual, native, cold-hardy and arid-adapted plants. More than 12,000 species of cacti, succulents, trees, shrubs and flowers will be available for purchase.

Find the sale on the eastern end of the property in the “Propagation Area,” located at 7211 N. Northern Ave. The sale is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Members can attend a preview event Wednesday, March 18 from noon to 6 p.m.

Sabino Canyon has attracted visitors since almost forever and now its wonders can be more thoroughly enjoyed because of quiet in the canyon.

“It took a decade of work, coordinated efforts and common vision, but now you can enjoy the sounds of nature,” said Forest Service Regional Forester Cal Joyner at the inaugural run of the new Sabino Canyon Crawler, an emission-free electric shuttle service.

By going electric and replacing older, noisy diesel shuttles, an estimated 15,000 gallons of gas per month will be saved representing a reduction of 400,000 pounds of carbon monoxide annually, according to Satish Hiremath, chairman of the nonprofit Regional Partnering Center managed by the Pima Association of Governments.

RPC owns the shuttle service in partnership with Tucson Electric Power and the U.S. Forest Service. Total Transit Enterprises/Total Ride will operate the service.

The new Crawler transportation system was funded in part by a $1.5 million contribution from Tucson Electric Power, along with a $1 million, 10-year, interest-free loan.

“Transportation is the largest greenhouse gas producer and this electric vehicle project toward cleaner and greener is another step in the long march we’ve been taking toward a more sustainable energy future," said TEP’s CEO David Hutchens. "Today marks the latest milestone in our efforts to reduce our community’s carbon footprint.”

The Sabino Canyon Shuttle Launch took place during Native American Heritage month and emcee Hiremath included that observation in his remarks.

“This area has sustained Native Americans for generations and remains culturally and spiritually significant today," he said.

RFP Vice Chair and Pascua Yaqui tribal official Peter Yucupicio also spoke about the project's significance.

“This project helps show respect for the land originally cared for by native cultures and ensures this natural treasure can remain unspoiled well into the future for many others to enjoy.”

Hiremath said that the new shuttle supports the region's priorities, referred to as their "3 Rs: relationships, recreation and restoration."

“This service honors the wishes of the community for a ‘greener’ transportation service in the canyon," he said. "It highlights new working relationships and the continuing importance of volunteers who help steward our lands, and it augments a vision for a transportation system benefitting both the public and the environment.”

Arizona’s congressional delegation was well represented at the launch with Sen. Martha McSally (R) and Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD2) and Raul Grijalva (D-CD3) in attendance.

“We hiked here as kids when this was just a dirt path with no infrastructure,” said Kirkpatrick. “Now people who can no longer hike can still enjoy the beauty of the canyon. We hold this land in trust as sacred, to be returned to the next generation better than we found it, and I feel that’s what’s happening today.”

McSally also commented on the benefits the shuttle can bring.

“All the way around, this is a real win for the entire community, and as a runner, I’m looking forward to finally experiencing a run in peace and quiet," she said.

Five custom-made electric shuttles will operate on the Sabino Canyon route, limited to a maximum speed of 15 miles an hour. (Another six gas-powered, enclosed shuttles will operate on the Bear Canyon route). Free earbuds are provided for a professionally narrated tour guide that explains the canyon’s cultural and geological history as well as its diverse plant and animal life. Audio noise will be reduced so that hikers can enjoy the sounds of nature free from the previous service’s obnoxious loudspeaker narrations.

Shuttles are powered by a 384-volt battery system that is recharged nightly at an onsite charging facility. The shuttles and their trailers are equipped with multiple braking systems that allow control on steep downgrades. The vehicles, manufactured by the world’s foremost builder of trams, feature 4-wheel steering to allow negotiation of sharp turns and narrow-bridge water crossings.

A new website, www.SabinoCanyonCrawler.com, will allow visitors to reserve and pay for shuttle seats in advance of their visit while an onsite shuttle fee drop box at vendor kiosks will also accept payment via credit or debit card. In-person ticket sales are also available at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitor Center gift shop. Roundtrip adult price is $12 or $4 for a one-way hop-on when space is available.