On May 10, friends, partners and Bureau of Land Management employees celebrated the anniversary of a collaboration that preserved an oasis in the Arizona desert. This year, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area marks 20 years as the nation’s first riparian conservation area. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing SPRNCA in November 1988. Containing about 40 miles of the upper San Pedro River, the area is now one of the crown jewels of BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System.

The anniversary celebration took place at BLM’s San Pedro House about 7 miles from Sierra Vista, Ariz., near the banks of the river. There, the willows and cottonwoods typify this lush riparian corridor in the desert. The event honored those who recognized the importance of protecting the area’s culture and habitat, as well as those who continue to maintain it for future generations.

BLM Deputy Director for Operations Henri Bisson, BLM Arizona Associate State Director Helen Hankins and former BLM Arizona State Director Dean Bibles attended the commemoration.  U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, a current supporter of the SPRNCA, sent a representative to the event. All bore witness to the influence that the San Pedro had on their lives and the importance of past and present conservation efforts.

Hankins praised the work of Erick Campbell, SPRNCA’s first manager, and Bill Childress, its most recent.  Others having played significant roles include former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe of Arizona, the late U.S. Rep. Morris K. Udall of Arizona, and former Arizona Sen. Dennis DeConcini. Hawkins also applauded the efforts of the Friends of the San Pedro River, a volunteer group that formed shortly after BLM acquired the land. The friends group has contributed thousands of volunteer hours to interpretation and educational programs highlighting the natural and cultural resources of the area.

One of those who remembered attending SPRNCA’s first dedication in 1988 was Bisson. “I think Arizona was very fortunate that this was saved 20 years ago,” he said. Bisson, who had spent the morning walking along the river, said it had captivated him once again with its sights and sounds, wildife and birds, and children playing. “Arizona is lucky that there were people such as Dean Bibles who had the foresight to realize the unique importance of the San Pedro and were able to act quickly,” he said.

How it all came about seemed fresh in the memory of Bibles, who helped create and manage the SPRNCA. Bibles recalled that he, Bob Lane and others spent years negotiating and forming the partnerships to protect the land along the San Pedro River. By working with state partners, Arizona citizens, federal agencies, project forerunners, he said, they were able to initiate land exchanges and other efforts that made it possible for BLM to begin managing the riparian area in 1986. Two years later, congressional legislation turned that area into the nation’s first RNCA and made efforts to “conserve, protect, and enhance” its resources a high priority.

“Our hope is that these lands will not only be protected but their natural conditions improved so that our grandchildren’s grandchildren can enjoy them,” Bibles said.

Tom Dabbs, BLM Gila District manager, commended employees and partners and stated his dedication to continuing the work that has gone before. “So many have given their support to the San Pedro,” he said, “and we will continue building on that commitment.”

SPRNCA contains about 58,000 acres of public land in Cochise County. More than 350 species of birds, including the gray hawk and Mississippi kite inhabit the lush habitat along the San Pedro. The area is also home to 80 species of mammals, more than 40 species of amphibians and reptiles, and two native species and several nonnative species of fish.

But the San Pedro’ unique landscape is much more than its important wildlife habitat. Visitors can travel back in time to discover the past, as the lands reveal evidence of human inhabitants dating back 11,000 years ago. 

Today, the public enjoys the wide variety of recreation opportunities the San Pedro offers. Many recreation enthusiasts come here for birding, hiking, camping, seasonal hunting, horseback riding and photography. The anniversary celebration was part of 2008 International Migratory Bird Day festivities that included hummingbird banding, xeriscape-gardening workshops, birding walks, music and more.

This is surely what Bibles had envisioned some 20 years ago: resource protection, education and recreation that enhance both the land and the public’s enjoyment of it.

“I feel honored to be a part of today's celebration and have this opportunity to hear about the dedication and passion that created the SPRNCA,” Dabbs said. “Our challenge in the future will be to continue to work with the San Pedro partners and the dedicated volunteers to ensure the San Pedro values identified by Congress in the 1988 legislation are protected and enhanced in the future.”

To continue SPRNCA’s success, BLM and others continue to work together in an ever-changing climate to conserve a distinct piece of Arizona that connects people to the nation’s history and the outdoors. For more information about the SPRNCA, visit http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/ncarea/sprnca.html