Sugarloaf area clean-up volunteers needed.

Volunteers wanted on Tonto National Forest, Saturday, March 10

            Mesa, Ariz. (February 27, 2012) –Forest officials, partnering with REI, have announced a major cleanup event to take place on Saturday, March 10, 9 am – 1 pm in the Sugarloaf area.  The Sugarloaf area is a popular site on the Mesa Ranger District for recreational shooting and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use.

“With a clean-up of this type, volunteers will typically remove 20-30 tons of trash and debris from the forest,” said district ranger Rocky Gilbert.  “Our focus will b on the areas west of Arizona State Route 87 (Beeline Highway), adjacent to the Forest Road 402 (Sugarloaf Road) for this event.” 

“We are grateful for the assistance of the REI in spearheading and supporting this event.  The support of volunteers is invaluable to us.  We also appreciate Waste Management providing free roll- off and disposal services,” Gilbert said.

Volunteers can sign up online at www.mrdvolunteers.org.

Volunteers will meet and sign in at the Sugarloaf staging area, approximately ½ mile west of Highway 87, near mile marker 204.  Follow Highway 87 north to Sugarloaf Road (mile marker 204) and turn west onto Sugarloaf Road.  High clearance trucks are recommended but not required.

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants/long sleeve shirts, and bring gloves.  “Since we will be working to clean up shooting pits near Sugar Loaf, it would helpful if volunteers could also bring rakes, shovels, and magnetic brooms,” Gilbert said.

At the end of the event, REI will provide a meal and have give-away drawings for the participants. 

Mesa Ranger District is about 444,000 acres, which includes the Superstition and Four Peaks Wilderness areas and a portion of the Mazatzal Wilderness.  Popular recreation sites include The Rolls OHV Site, Sycamore Creek, Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, and the Lower Salt River.

The Mesa Ranger District Volunteer program, “A family of friends caring for land and serving people,” may be viewed online at www.mrdvolunteers.org.  The program offers volunteers opportunities to work in a variety of areas and utilizes a team approach.   For more information, please call Mesa Ranger District at 480-610-3300.