Lower Gila River Initiative: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management

Lower Gila River Initiative: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management 

Kelly Wolff1*, Jacob Eberspacher2* 

1Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County; kwolff@dffm.az.gov 

2Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa County; jeberspacher@dffm.az.gov 

Abstract 

The Lower Gila Initiative Program is part of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management's Invasive Plant Program and is aimed at the comprehensive management of invasive plants along a 30 mile portion of the Lower Gila River in Arizona. The core goal is to remove the invasive and non-native tamarisk (salt cedar) and any secondary infestation and replace with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs to achieve enhanced wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels, conserved water resources, and improved recreation. The program is supported by multiple funding streams and is being executed across multiple fiscal years (FY 2023-FY 2027) through various projects.  

This oral presentation and poster provides Information on: the techniques used, lessons learned and collaborative efforts through the Lower Gila River Collaborative and Rio Reimagined.