President's Message to the Membership
February 21, 2022

Hola Amigos del Desierto! Time for another update on pending CPNHA activities and save-the-date items.

SONORAN DESERT PHOTO SHOW

We need your Sonoran Desert photos folks! A gentle reminder that the deadline for submissions for the Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association's Sonoran Desert Photo Show is rapidly approaching. Photo submissions must be turned in to the Ajo Chamber of Commerce office in the Ajo Plaza by March 2 at 3:00 p.m. Entry forms, with rules, are available at the Ajo Chamber of Commerce office, the Copper News, and at the Art Under the Arches Gallery in the Plaza. Participants may also obtain entry forms by sending a request to info@cabezaprieta.org or to pablo_johnson51@yahoo.com

Photos must be mounted on foam board. CPNHA has a supply of 20"x30" foam board sheets (email me), and you can also purchase them at the Art Under the Arches Gift Shop at the Ajo Plaza (across the atrium from the AUA Gallery), $1.50 for a 20"x30" sheet. We will also have foam board for sale at our next bookstore date in the Ajo Plaza: this coming Saturday, March 26.

You can get prints made online at sites like Walmart's photo page: https://www.photoprints.app

Just follow the prompts and specify home delivery. Takes about 5 minutes to complete an order. An 8x10 I did cost $5.38 including shipping. Costco has a similar service (I was charged $1.80 for an 8x10) and there are many other online photo processors that will turn your photo file into a print and mail it to you. You need to get started though, it takes about a week or a little more to get your photo in the mail. Time is of the essence.

The soft opening for the Photo Show is on March 5 at the Art Under the Arches Atrium, and an opening reception is scheduled for the evening of March 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (Note we changed the reception to begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m., to accomodate the Sonoran Symposium's meal schedule). AUA will sell wine and beer at the opening. Photos will be up for the rest of March.

Photographers this year may choose to sell their photos as well, although all photos must remain up for the duration of the show. At last year's Photo Show photographers actually sold a good number of photos, so it's something to consider.

DESERT WALKS

Stay tuned for a pop-up field trip in the coming weeks. Vikki Jackson plans to lead an Ajo "Bat Walk" when the weather warms up a bit.

Also, our "Night Walk" with Pinau Merlin on February 24 has been rescheduled for March 28, as the weather forecast is looking a little grim with a low of 37 degrees the night of 2/24. The folks who signed up for this hike on February 24 have first preference for the new date.

But if there are cancellations I am maintaining a waiting list, please email me if you want to be on the waiting list for the March 28 Night Walk: pablo_johnson51@yahoo.com

We will meet at the northwest corner of Olson's parking lot at 6:15 pm on March 28; bring binoculars, hiking poles, and flashlights, preferably with a red lens (Pinau will have red cellophane also if you don't have a red lens on your flashlight). And bring an extra layer too!.

SEVENTH TRI-NATIONAL SONORAN SYMPOSIUM 2022

March 7-10, at the Curley School in Ajo. At last count there were still tickets left, you can make your purchase and get registered at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-tri-national-symposiumcelebrating-the-sonoran-desert-tickets-181422699177

Note that you can buy one day tickets if you don't want to attend every day. You can also get the Zoom option if you don't want to attend in person.

Ticket numbers are limited this year as a Covid precaution. The organizers anticipate other protocols for a safe presentation, including limiting the number of folks per room, good ventilation, proof of vaccination or a recent negative test for the virus, and masks in enclosed spaces.

CPNHA will sponsor a panel discussion at the Symposium about the unfortunate changes to the west end of the Camino del Diablo while the border wall was being built: March 8 at 4:00 p.m. in the Curley School Auditorium.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MARCH 8-10

We are seeking volunteers to help at the upcoming Seventh Tri- National Sonoran Symposium: "Celebrating the Sonoran Desert," March 8-10.

Board Vice-President Tom Cope is the CPNHA Volunteer Coordinator for the Symposium, contact him at: Email: tcope46@gmail.com Phone: (650) 722-8414

Please connect with Tom Cope if you'd like to volunteer. We appreciate your help.

Volunteer monitors are needed at the Symposium. A monitor's main function is to introduce the speaker for a given presentation, and to keep an eye on the number of folks in the room (there will be a limit this year, I believe it will be 30 per classroom). Monitors also keep an eye on the time, as speakers are limited to specific time slots. Monitors may also help troubleshoot if there is a problem with audiovisual equipment (training provided). Monitors are the connection in the classrooms between the presenter and ISDA. They are an important part of getting presentations rolling in a timely fashion. There will be a training session for monitors put on by ISDA on March 3 at 10:00 a.m., it will be about an hour.

We also need volunteers to man the CPNHA bookstore at the Symposium, which will be up and running March 8, 9, and the morning of March 10. This is one of our bigger fundraisers. It is also helpful for the Symposium as we have agreed to sell the books of any presenters at the conference who would like to do that. Sign up for one hour or more, your choice. The main job of bookstore staff is to facilitate sales to customers. We can provide on the job training for that, it's pretty simple.

Volunteers must have proof of Covid vaccination, or of a negative test for Covid within the last 48 hours (rapid tests accepted), and wear masks indoors.

CAMINO DEL DIABLO TRIP MARCH 16-18

The Board has scheduled a three-day, two-night excursion on the famed Camino del Diablo, using the Ajo to Wellton route: March 16-18. Aside from the usual stirring sights like the Pinta Sands, the lava flow, Tule Tank, and Tinajas Altas, we will also view the damage to the Camino resulting from intense use on the western end due to construction of the border wall, and other security measures along the border. Limited to 14 people, provided you are willing to double or triple up in vehicles. Trying to hold it to 5 vehicles if possible. Preference given to CPNHA members. Sign up by email, addressed to: pablo_johnson51@yahoo.com

We will be maintaining a waiting list after the trip fills up, in case of cancellations.

CPNHA POTLUCK MARCH 22

CPNHA will sponsor a potluck dinner in the desert on March 22, from 5 until ?? We haven't had a lot of chances to mingle in this season of Covid virus; here's your chance to get caught up with your fellow desert rats around a campfire with good food and company. If you choose to camp overnight, all the better. Somewhere on the scenic loop road, more information coming as we approach the date!

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