This project has a history of 36 years — the first Riparian Specialist hired by the Tonto National Forest knew the value of repeat photography in documenting resource conditions. He had the foresight to initiate a riparian photopoint program in 1988 — finding important reaches of streamside vegetation and taking clear photographs of the vegetation and streambanks, annually if possible, at the same exact sites each year. The Forest, and ecologists who do research on the Tonto, have come to depend upon information these photos provide – impacts by livestock, or improvement in conditions through livestock management, wildlife impacts, results of flooding, fire and drought. These photos provide documentation of resource conditions, which is used for natural resource management decisions. While data is important, it’s true that nothing tells a story like a good photograph.
The program grew under succeeding riparian specialists to over 1000 sites photographed by an outstanding group of volunteer photographers who enjoy regular visits to their stream sites.
The program is now run by Friends of the Tonto National Forest, in cooperation with the Tonto. We are continuing the program with the same attention to quality that riparian specialists and long-time volunteers on the Forest have had. Under Friends of the Tonto’s management, the photopoint map and associated photos have been made available for the public to see – check out the interactive map on our website! http://photopoints.friendsofthetonto.org/ New photos are added to it each year.
Photopoint season has now been extended to last from mid-April to the end of September. And we need volunteers! You don’t need a special camera, you can use your smart phone. You don’t even need a GPS unit – most smart phones can have apps that will read out GPS coordinates. You don’t need a four-wheel drive vehicle (although you do need it for some sites). If you like to get out, or if you need a good excuse to get out – here’s your opportunity!
Training Sessions are scheduled for 7:00 PM the evenings of March 11, 12, 21 and 26. We will be using Zoom sessions for training. The March 21 session will be a short refresher for previous photopoint volunteers. The other 3 sessions are for new volunteers or previous volunteers who want a more thorough refresher.
You can help the Forest by doing this fun activity! We have all kinds of sites available – please fill out the registration form so we can help you select a site suited to your vehicle and hiking abilities
