by Brylee Stone, of Westminster College
After having been in the Santa Catalina Mountain range for a few days and experiencing monsoon season rains two nights in a row, it seemed that we were ready for the hot dry climate we assumed would be at our next stop, Ruby, Arizona. Little did we know the adventure awaiting us. As we headed down the West Arivaca Road towards Arivaca, the closest town to Ruby, we noticed ominously dark clouds building up and rain droplets beginning to fall. The only road we could take had been flooded several times and cars kept getting stuck, but Bellena (whale in Spanish), proved to us once again that she has still got what it takes to keep the conservation work going. Eventually we made it to Ruby! It was not dry like we predicted, but instead was getting blanketed in thick cloud coverage spilling over the mountains. This was a great foreshadow for what was ahead.
The next day was July 4th and we spent the day inside our little house working hard to get caught up on our assignments now that we had a dry place to work. One of the big assignments we had to complete was a Grinnell Journal, which requires us to record every species- plants and animals- that we come across over a four-hour period. This specific way of journaling is helpful in teaching us how to become observant of our surroundings, quickly learn a wide variety of species, critically think about what we are seeing, and what their composition means in terms of ecology and conservation. In the evening we were rewarded by spending time with Howard Franklin Jr., his partner Ceppi, and David Bygott cleaning up trash collecting along the outskirts of a nearby dam. Yes, I know most people would not consider picking up trash a reward, however these people have had some incredible experiences in the conservation world such as working with Jane Goodall and the chimps, doing aerial surveys of elephants in Tanzania, as well as working with Tanzanians on conservation education. After the cleanup, we all met for a potluck dinner at this beach-like area (old tailings from an early 20th mine site) where there was a pergola with firefly lights dangling from the posts as the sun set behind the cottonwood trees.
After a long night of good food and even greater conversation about the history of Ruby, crazy field experiences, and encouragement for the work we all care so much about, we dedicated much of the next two days to completing more assignments and lessons. The amazing thing about doing a study abroad program out in the field is that you get to see the things you talk about in action. For example, we have had several lessons on the ways various organisms are dependent on the behavior of other organisms to maintain a competitive advantage how they have adapted to live in harsh environments such as Adiscosa Highlands where Ruby is located and most importantly how anthropogenic influences greatly alter this balance.
For me, July 8th was the day that really helped to put a lot of this experience into perspective. we hiked through Sycamore canyon, which slithers south towards the US Mexico border. At the trailhead we noticed large turkey vultures sitting on a branch high enough that they could bask in the sun, extending their wings out. I learned that this behavior allowed their bodies to heat up which is important in deterring feather parasites that may have attached themselves during the birds’ feeding. Further into the canyon we came across several tiny pools of water, but it seemed they were there due to the heavy rains that came only a few days earlier. This was very good news for the Sonoran Chub, a small fish species found in no other water system in the United States. As we waded into the water, the chubs began to nibble at our skin. My friend Emma could only tolerate the tickle of her toes for so long. This was intriguing to me because I knew that lizards and snakes were present, but I had yet to see any signs of amphibians. Frogs and toads are often prey of snakes and also need reliant sources of water. Eventually we came to a decent sized pool and decided to take a swim and ended up finding a large Sonoran Desert Toad! My best hypothesis for finding this toad was that the pool is deep enough that it provides a reliable water source for much of the drier months- but only if there is a sufficient monsoon season. This finding took up a lot of my headspace that day, however there was one experience that left an even greater impression.
After hiking through Sycamore Canyon, we took a drive to the border wall that divides the US and Mexico. Up until this point I had only heard and passively participated in heated conversations about the wall’s purpose and effectiveness. It was not until I was able to see the wall for myself that I have been able to form a strong opinion on it. Despite any political views and secondhand accounts that have felt influential in my opinion, the most profound insight that has allowed me to develop my own thoughts is the fact that the wall negatively impacts wildlife. Just in terms of scale in which the land has been dramatically altered for construction, including vital resources such as water from this habitat have been pumped out, and ecosystems have been completely fragmented by the endless miles of wall has allowed me to see how a single human action can destroy the intricate relationships between desert flora and fauna. Despite any political reason for building the wall, we can not ignore the fact that it has created an immensely negative impact on wildlife and the surrounding habitats. This is significant not only for the wildlife itself, but also for us humans, who rely heavily on the ecosystem services that are given to us free of charge. And to me, this is the reason why conservation is so vital and necessary. It provides us with the knowledge and understanding that how we live and interact with wildlife impacts us all, for better or for worse, and gives us the opportunity to make our world a better place.