HIIT Springs Habitat Project Update

The July 17–18 work weekend at HIIT Springs proved to be a race against the weather, but thanks to the dedication and determination of our volunteers, we accomplished everything we set out to do.

Our crew arrived at camp Friday morning and immediately got to work setting up, knowing the forecast called for a 70–90% chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain throughout the weekend. Once camp was established, we headed to the project site to begin staging the fence panels along the posts in preparation for Saturday's installation.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Before long, thunderstorms rolled in with lightning, thunder, and a steady downpour that forced us back to camp. The rain continued for nearly three hours, turning the red clay into a muddy mess and keeping everyone on their toes. We even stretched heavy plastic over the kitchen and dining area to keep camp functional while preparing dinner.

As evening approached, the skies finally cleared enough for us to return to the project site. We finished staging all of the fence panels before dark, setting ourselves up for a productive Saturday. Tired but optimistic, everyone gathered around camp for a little conversation before calling it a night.

Saturday greeted us with clear skies, hot coffee, and breakfast burritos. Knowing more storms were expected later in the day, we held a brief safety meeting and were on the project by 7:00 a.m. Two crews worked simultaneously to hang the fence panels, and thanks to everyone's hard work and teamwork, the project moved quickly.

By 12:30 p.m., the final panel was in place, fully enclosing the spring and completing another major milestone for the HIIT Springs restoration project. With storm clouds building once again, the crew made the smart decision to return to camp, prepare lunch, and break everything down before the next round of rain arrived.

The timing couldn't have been better. As the last equipment was loaded into the trailer, the rain returned, quickly turning the roads and campsite back into slick clay. By the time the crew reached Williams, heavy rain had already begun flooding the streets.

Despite challenging weather throughout the weekend, our volunteers never lost their determination. Their flexibility, positive attitudes, and willingness to work hard allowed us to complete every task we had planned. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who braved the mud, rain, and changing conditions to help protect and restore this important spring for Arizona's wildlife.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at HIIT Springs. Your commitment continues to make a lasting difference for wildlife habitat across Arizona.