Wildlife, Wildfires, Wildflowers & More
Wildlife Blind
We are excited to announce that Friends of Oracle State Park has received final approval from State Park management to precede with building a new Wildlife Blind. A well-designed blind helps park visitors to enjoy the wildlife without disturbing it. Designed by area landscape architect Jim Pollack, the new blind will be built in the same location as the old blind using existing stonework. This design is intended to be sturdy and long lasting. Locals Tony Letwak will provide the hardware and Steven Booth will head up demolition and construction.
FOSP seeks to to raise $15,000 to cover expenses. These monies are needed to pay for demolition and construction labor, as well as the higher price of materials due to the global slowdown in production and delivery caused by the pandemic.
Right now, whatever you give will be matched up to $5,000, thanks to a challenge set up by FOSP members Ronald and Jacquelyn Feller. Your gift is also tax deductible! Link to Paypal or send a check to Friends of Oracle State Park, PO Box 1406, Oracle, AZ. 85623. Questions? Email Deborah Gaines at friendsoraclestatepark@gmail.com. Let’s do this!
Wildfire Prevention
Starting soon, a wildlands fire crew will clear dead trees and brush around the historic Kannally Ranch House and group areas. This grant-funded program will last for three weeks, Mondays through Fridays. While the noise of chainsaws and weed whackers might be a temporary distraction, this work is critical for fire prevention. For more details, contact Oracle State Park at 520-896-2425.
Wildflowers, Butterflies ... & Memberships!
Record monsoon rain has made Oracle State Park more beautiful than ever this summer. Colorful morning glory vines abound, and every species of plant is blooming. Please visit the park soon! You might have to dodge the many butterflies who are enjoying the celebration.
Don’t forget to join or renew your membership, if you haven’t yet done so! Thank you for supporting Friends of Oracle State Park!
September Star Party
Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make our first star-gazing party of the season a wonderful success! Hats off to local star expert Mike Weasner on the launch of his new book Finding My Way to the Stars and to the Americana-Zydeco-Blues band Hard Sun Aggregate, for lifting our spirits and feet with their amazing music. And for helping us to lift our eyes to the stars, extra-special thanks goes out to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and Saddlebrooke Sky Gazers.