This field guide post has been contributed by TS “Santo” Pelletier (they/them), Communications Coordinator with Conservation Legacy. Recently, Santo visited an Arizona Conservation Corps crew in Lost Dutchman State Park in Tonto National Forest near the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. At the site, Santo conducted interviews and took photos to document the beginning of crew 161’s season together.

Driving into Apache Junction, I could see the massive rock structure of Lost Dutchman National Park miles before I actually arrived.

During my visit—about two hours from my home base in Tucson, AZ—I was tasked with documenting Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) crew 161. While some members had been working for AZCC for a while, some were brand new, which meant I was present for some ice breaker conversations as everyone got to know each other. Some takeaways: Kristian (he/him) and Marta (she/they) were able to have conversations in fluent Italian when they discovered they both had ties to Italy; Miguel (he/him) revealed he is a huge history buff, and Isaac (he/him) is fascinated with patterns and math—which I resonated with since I love music and puzzles. It’s always fun to meet a crew and be a part of their dynamics even if only for a few hours! It’s my favorite part of my job as Conservation Legacy’s Communications Coordinator. 

This crew was stationed at Lost Dutchman to spray herbicides on Buffelgrass and Globe Chamomile (also called Stinknet), two invasive species that have been wreaking havoc on the native plant population at the trailhead at Lost Dutchman. The herbicide solution that crews spray on the invasive species is dangerous when it comes in contact with human skin or the eyes/mouth/nose, so while two crew members sprayed herbicide, two others were tasked with supporting and helping the sprayers to safely put on and remove their herbicide packs and gloves. This process includes a hand-washing station and basin for the used water.

 

A crew member sprays invasive Globe Chamomile, also called ‘stinknet’.

Invasive species are organisms that aren’t naturally part of an ecosystem, but were introduced to it—whether intentionally or by accident. For most people, the word ‘conservation’ implies protecting elements of the natural world, so herbicides can sometimes become a controversial subject. How is killing plants conservation?

Let me explain.

Whether by human introduction or migration caused by changes in the climate, once invasive species take root, they reproduce rapidly. They can then completely dominate the ecosystem, crowding out and taking resources from vital native plants. Sometimes, invasive species can mean an increase in the risk of forest fires. The rapid growth of plants in the understory of a forest can create an excess of ‘ladder fuels’—a firefighting term for vegetation that allows a fire to climb up from the forest floor into the tree canopy. Ladder fuels can cause fires to burn hotter, longer, and more destructively. 

It’s important to note the difference between invasive species and non-native species. Non-native species are any plant that is growing somewhere that it is not native to. For example, farms and backyard gardens are full of non-native plants—I have broccoli growing in my garden right now, and it’s definitely not native to the desert! But the difference between non-native and invasive plants is that invasive species have the potential to spread incredibly fast, destroying native species and damaging the ecosystem of the area. If I left my broccoli alone, it would just wither and die. However, if we left Globe Chamomile alone, it could alter the ecosystem of our desert home forever.

Herbicides, then, become essential to controlling the spread of invasive species before it’s too late and native plants and wildlife are damaged. 

A field of Globe Chamomile in Arizona. Although Stinknet can look like a wildflower, the reality is that in many places it has severely impacted the native wildflowers of the region. (credit: Alden Woods, The Republic)

While the crew worked, I asked them about their motivations. Marta explained that while she hadn’t studied anything conservation-related in school, she had a lot of friends who did, which sparked her own inherent passion in the subject. “Having done a lot of hiking but not a lot of backpacking, this opportunity interested me a lot” they said. They also described the social dynamics, and the specific type of communication that comes with working on a small crew for long periods of time. For Marta, one of the biggest benefits of working on an AZCC crew is the opportunity to challenge herself in ways she hasn’t before.

From a young age, Miguel has been fascinated by the natural world. “I’m interested in conservation because I’d watch natural history shows on TV,” he said. “To quote Theodore Roosevelt- it’s a very ‘noble pursuit.’ It’s meaningful for me personally but it’s also good for my long term goals. It’s something you can put a lot of yourself into and appreciate all the natural wonder.”

Crew 161 at Lost Dutchman.

Throughout the remainder of their season, Crew 161 will take on trail construction projects, additional invasive species removal, and an assortment of other public lands projects around Tucson and Southern Arizona. Good luck y’all and happy trails!!

Arizona Conservation Corps is currently hiring! Visit azcorps.org/join to view open positions and apply today.