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SIERRA VISTA - The Plant Sciences Task Force recently
discussed the progress at the Plant Sciences Center and plans for National
Public Lands Day.
The first phase of the Plant Sciences Center in near
completion, said Cado Daily, of University of Arizona Cooperative
Extension. A new potting shed has been added and crews from the Douglas
state prison have retrenched and prepared another ocotillo bed.
Daily said that plants salvaged form the Highway 90
expansion project aren't being distributed to the public yet. The state is
widening the highway between Huachuca City and Interstate 10.
Sponsors and grants are needed to move to the next
phase of development, building a permanent structure to house salvaged
plants and providing community benefits.
Among the other goals, the task force wants to involve
local developers in the group.
"One of the best things we can do is show them
(developers) what we're going to do at National Public Lands Day, and the
money and water it will save," said Pat Bell, city environmental
manager.
National Public Lands Day, scheduled for Sept. 26, is
administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to increase public
awareness of public lands. As many as 500 or more volunteers are expected
to participate locally.
The Tucson office of the Bureau of Land Management
submitted an application last fall to make Sierra Vista one of the
selected national Public Lands Day sites.
"Not only was Sierra Vista selected as a site, it
was chosen as the premier site in the country," said Marie Hansen,
city public information officer.
One of the unique projects planned for the area is a
National Park Service project to make 1.5 miles of fencing along the
U.S.-Mexican border "wildlife-friendly," said Hansen. The Plant
Sciences Center and Task Force contribution from 940-950 plants salvaged
from the Highway 90 road widening project for a city landscaping project.
The landscaping project is a three mile stretch along Buffalo Soldier
Trail, from Soldiers Creek to Seventh Street.
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