Where can you learn to identify birds, explore a distant galaxy, get saddle- sore, climb a wall, and find the best bait for catfish — all in the same place? At the Gila Box Discovery Festival! This two-day event, aimed at highlighting two local attractions — Discovery Park and the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area — was the place to be on Friday and Saturday, April 9 and10. In the southeastern Arizona town of Safford, hundreds joined in the fun of learning about and enjoying their outdoor world.

The festival began at Discovery Park, an educational center highlighting astronomy, natural resources, and local history. Visitors explored interactive exhibits at the Gov Aker Observatory, the first phase of the Park’s planned developments, in which BLM is a partner. Brave souls rode the full-motion flight simulator to experience the thrill of high speed space travel. After dark, Safford’s clear skies allowed viewing of planets and a nebula through the observatory’s large telescope as astronomers and volunteers interpreted the heavens. Hundreds visited Discovery Park, some staying late into the night.

Saturday held a full day of activities at the BLM’s Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area (RNCA’a). Designated in 1990 as one of only two RNCA’s in the nation, the Gila Box is virtually undiscovered. “We wanted everyone to learn about this great resource that’s right here in our own backyard,” commented Safford Field Manager Bill Civish, “and we want to share it with visitors from across the state and nation.”

The day began with the dedication of the new Riverview Campground along the Gila River, followed by a complimentary lunch. Then the adventure began! Hundreds participated in free tours and activities that were offered throughout the afternoon by BLM and its festival partners. The outdoor activities provided an opportunity to learn a little about the outdoors and have fun doing it.

“Listen. Did you hear that? That’s a blue-gray gnatcatcher. Let’s see if we can find him,” a guide said quietly as he led a group on a birdwatching tour of Bonita Creek. The mile-long walk through the creek’s riparian “jungle” of sycamores, Goodding willows, and Arizona walnuts provided a chance to see the neotropical migratory birds that nest along the creek. Participants with binoculars and spotting scopes got good looks at zone-tailed hawks, vermilion flycatchers, hooded orioles, and yellow warblers. The Gila Box, especially Bonita Creek, is a haven for songbirds and raptors. Over 100 species are known to nest along the creek.

The BLM has taken advantage of this premier location by developing a wildlife viewing deck overlooking the canyon. The Bonita Creek Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area provides a treetop-level perch above the riparian canopy that lines the canyon. It’s the perfect place for field trips for schools and scouts wishing to explore their environment. The large platform is a great place from which to watch birds and wildlife; it includes benches where students can sit and take notes about their observations.

Years ago, 153 to be exact, early explorers and cavalries passed through this same area, recording their accounts of its wildlife, geology, and culture. At the festival, the colorful history of the Gila Valley was interpreted by volunteers from the Arizona Archaeological Society, who also led tours to two important sites. The General Kearny Encampment monument, located just a stone’s throw from the new Riverview Campground, marks the site where General Stephen Watts Kearny and his Army battalion camped on October 27, 1846, en route to California after claiming New Mexico for the United States during the Mexican-American War.

Lt. William H. Emory, who traveled with Kearny, described the landscape along the Gila River as “The Devil’s Turnpike,” because travel was so difficult. No surprise, considering what they were pulling across this rocky, cliffy terrain. Emory chronicled:

The howitzers came up late in the afternoon. They are small, mounted on wheels ten feet in circumference, which stand apart about three feet, and, with the assistance of men on foot, are able to go in almost any place a mule can go.

Participants in “Time Travelers” history walks got a taste of that terrain as they scrambled over the hilltop past the monument, hiking down to Bonita Creek to view the historic Serna Cabin. This old homesteader’s place was built circa 1927, reportedly by two brothers who farmed and raised livestock along Bonita Creek. Today, this remnant of bygone days has been restored through the work of BLM and its partners.

Two other educational events at the festival were sponsored by Gila Outdoor, a local sporting goods store. An orienteering workshop taught kids and adults how to use a map and compass to navigate in the outdoors, while the climbing wall enabled novices from age seven to 70 to “learn the ropes,” so to speak. “My grandkids would be so proud of me,” beamed Ruene DeSpain after her successful climb to the top. “They won’t believe this 70-year-old lady made it!”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s fishing clinic provided an opportunity to learn to fish or improve fishing skills. An educational booth included examples of fish that can be found in local rivers and lakes. Bait and tackle were provided, and it was just a short walk down to the shores of the Gila River in search of channel catfish.

Fishing wasn’t the only action at the river. Most folks who attended the festival had never paddled a kayak, and Blue Sky Expeditions gave them a chance to learn. People flocked to the river on the warm, sunny day to try a 15-minute float down the river. Guides taught the basics, then guided each group. Kayaks and rafts were in use full-time to keep up with the demand.

Far away from the river, four-wheel-drive tours hosted by Friends of the Gila River followed rugged jeep trails to explore the back country. Trucks and jeeps, in groups of 30, followed guides on a four-hour tour of the Gila River watershed, stopping along the way to learn about the area. Hardy mountain bicyclists rode 11- and 15-mile circuits on primitive roads and trails, experiencing some of the rough terrain described by Kearny and Emory. The Pinaleño Range Riders led a four-hour back country horse tour for seasoned riders.

Kids had a chance to learn how to ride a horse, too, on short, guided trips from the new campground to a scenic hilltop overlooking the Gila River. Horseback rides were so popular that there was a two-hour waiting list. Pioneer Stables ran trips into the evening to accommodate all riders.

Back at “Festival Central,” the Riverview Campground was lined with booths providing information and education on a variety of topics, such as Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, and fire prevention. The Public Lands Information Center provided literature on recreation opportunities on federal and state lands throughout Arizona. Colorful festival T-shirts were on sale, along with a variety of foods, including Apache fry bread and Mexican burritos.

The festivities ended that evening with participants talking about all the fun they had that day. Judging by the many visitors who spent the following day at the new campground and surrounding area, the Gila Box has now been discovered. Mission accomplished!

For more information on Gila Box and the discovery Festival, please contact Diane Drobka of the BLM Safford Field Office, 711 South 14th Avenue, Safford, Arizona 85546, Tel.: (520) 348 4403, e-mail: Diane_Drobka@blm.gov. Please also visit the following websites:

BLM Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area page
http://azwww.az.blm.gov/sfo/gila_box/gila.html