Cortaro Mesquite Bosque Construction

On August 6, 2007, the Pima County Regional Flood Control District began construction on the Cortaro Mesquite Bosque 80 acre riparian habitat restoration. This project was designed to increase the vegetation structure and biological diversity of the floodplain and to provide wildlife habitat, particularly forage and nesting area for birds.

The restoration plans are to plant “islands” of five different vegetation zones separated by areas of native grasses. The grassland areas provide extended edge habitat preferred by many native and migrant birds. The five planting zones consist of cottonwood-willow trees, riparian mesquite Bosque, riparian grassland-willow, xeroriparian (drier area) mesquite, and upland vegetation-grassland. All plant material is native, and was grown by the Pima County Native Plant Nursery from local seed source. The Bosque is adjacent to the river park trail and will provide opportunities for area residents for walking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.

The estimated cost for this project is $1 Million.