Riparian Restoration: Outcomes, Challenges, and Partnerships on the San Carlos Apache Reservation
Paul J. Buck1
1San Carlos Apache Tribe, San Carlos, Arizona USA; pjbuck@forestry.scat-nsn.gov
Ecologically and hydrologically sound riparian areas in the southwestern United States are rare but continue to be culturally important to Apache tribal culture. Native species of flora and fauna, along with the water and abiotic features of riparian biomes, are used in both ceremonies and everyday life. However, the presence, and in many places dominance of tamarisk has drastically reduced the existence of this important biome forcing tribal members to travel further away from traditional ceremonial and gathering places. Tamarisk reduction practices have been conducted in the past with some success when accompanied with replanting native tree species, but maintenance of treated project acres quickly becomes logistically overwhelming and cost prohibitive. Access to, or the ability to grow other native flora species common to riparian biomes has also limited the success of site rehabilitation, along with the minimal impacts to tribal culture through these restoration efforts. In this presentation of riparian management on tribal lands, I would like to share not only the restoration efforts that have been conducted, but also describe challenges the San Carlos Apache Tribe has faced with riparian management, along with the new development in partnerships and their importance to continuing riparian restoration in a sustainable and effective manner.