(69) Developing the Riparian Extension Program in Arizona

George Zaimes, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Kim McReynolds, University of Arizona, Wilcox, AZ; Jim Sprinkle, University of Arizona, Payson, AZ; Christopher Jones, University of Arizona, Globe, AZ. Michael Crimmins, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ;  Rob Grumbles, University of Arizona, Kingman, AZ;

Session: Poster

Riparian areas have many multiple uses and stakeholders, which can have diverse perceptions on their importance and proper use.  In the semi-arid region of the Western United States the percentage of riparian areas is also very small compared to the total land area.  These two facts make managing riparian areas very complex and a top priority in this region.  To better manage and preserve these riparian areas it is important to develop a strong extension program.  To accomplish this, the Riparian Extension Program of the Univeristy of Arizona has been:

1. providing education,
2. establishing collaborations and
   
3. developing new research projects.

The educational part of the program has included:

1. workshops,
2. publications, and
3. a web-based educational module.

Different types of workshops have been conducted trying to capture and engage the various stakeholders of the riparian areas.  The workshops varied from general information about riparian areas, to specific topics like monitoring techniques to cutting-edge scientific topics like climate change and riparian areas.  To complement these workshops extension publications have also been developed.  One of these focused on general concepts and processes on the riparian areas of the state while the second focused on functions and processes of streams.  Finally with distance learning becoming more and more popular a web-based educational module on riparian areas was developed.  Another important component to having a successful extension program is establishing collaborations.  We have had fruitful collaborations with federal agencies, other universities and research institutes, other organizations with an interest in riparian areas and other University of Arizona extension programs.  Finally we have started two research projects on topics driven by stakeholders.  Specifically we are investigating how urbanization impacts riparian areas along ephemeral washes and developing ecological sites for riparian areas of the state of Arizona.

Jeff Schalau
University of Arizona
Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County, 840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305, USA
Phone:(928) 445-6590
Fax: 928-445-6593
E-mail: jschalau@ag.arizona.edu