Trout Unlimited is no stranger to undertaking restoration projects that have the dual benefit of helping wild, coldwater species and human communities. The organization’s newest project in Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, The Thompson Burro Meadow Restoration Project, meets that objective. The streams in the Thompson Burrow meadow flow into the Phoenix Valley and the Colorado River. In 2011, this region suffered from a major wildfire, and the habitat and river system never fully recovered. So, TU worked with government and private partners to plan a project to restore 3.5 miles of streams and nearly 130 acres of wet meadows, injecting much needed resilience for Arizona’s natural resources.
“This project will not only help to rectify impacts from the Wallow Fire, but will also make Thompson-Burro Meadow a natural firebreak to help protect the national forest and Apache County,” said Nathan Rees, Arizona state lead for TU. “We are also increasing habitat for wildlife and sourcing local materials from both the forest and local timber companies. Additionally, we’ve hired a local, full-time project manager to oversee current and future projects in Apache County. We’re excited to grow our restoration program here!”
After breaking ground just a few weeks ago, TU will continue completing Phase 1, which includes the installation of more than 200 of once natural log jam structures–with materials sourced from local wildfire mitigation efforts–and 70 sod plugs to slow down the water flowing through the meadow, replenish groundwater levels and restoring the natural meandering streamflow. After that, TU will replant native streamside vegetation and install an elk exclosure to allow the habitat to grow. Finally, TU is also measuring stream flow data in the meadow to quantify the increase in water levels once the project is complete–an important component for Apache Trout, as they are listed under the Endangered Species Act.
This TU project was made possible by numerous partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, a variety of local groups, and corporate partners such as Microsoft and the Caterpillar Foundation.
“The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to support the restoration of Thompson-Burro Meadow – a project that protects Arizona’s water supply, builds climate resilience, and creates meaningful jobs for local communities,” said Asha Varghese, President of the Caterpillar Foundation. “This work reflects the Foundation’s commitment to helping both people and ecosystems thrive. By investing in the health of these landscapes, we’re investing in the long-term vitality of the communities and wildlife that depend on them.”
The project will continue over the next few years, and we’re thrilled to see another habitat restoration effort utilizing nature-based design principles that will have an immediate benefit to discrete ecosystems and coldwater fishery resilience.
“The Thompson-Burro Meadow is a pivotal nexus of conservation,” said Nathan Rees, Arizona state lead for TU. “Not only do the streams and rivers in this area feed the Phoenix Valley and Colorado River, but they are also home to the state’s native Apache trout and are part of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the United States.”
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