On April 22, 2000, about 40 people from the Phoenix area visited the area where Pinto Creek and Haunted Canyon are being threatened by a mining operation called the Carlota Mine. The group (shown below) studied insects drawn to a light, looked and listened for owls and other night fauna, and learned more about the unique nature of the area.
Several people familiar with the resources of the area volunteered to share their expertise with the group. Frank Welsh (second from the right in photo below), described various flora and fauna. Mike Plagens (second from left) showed how to attract and identify insects.
Here, some of the group's leaders discuss the challenges of trying to preserve the area from the devastation of a new copper mine. Left to right are Tom Sonandres, Laurie Nessel, and Ted Gartner.
A good time was had by all.
