Second round of free firewood permits available at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Gila District Office

Media Contact:

June Lowery, Gila District Public Affairs Specialist

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tucson Field Office is offering a second round of free firewood permits for collecting downed wood at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA) Feb. 2-28, 2019.

Interested persons may obtain a permit and collection area map Feb. 1-14, during normal business hours at the Tucson Field Office at 3201 E Universal Way in Tucson or on Mondays between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Hereford Project Office at 4070 South Avenida Saracino in Hereford.

Due to the limited amount of wood still available, a total of 20 permits will be issued. Each permit allows for collection of up to one cord of downed wood.

“As a good neighbor in the community, we offer wood from trees that we have downed to improve hunting access and provide better wildlife corridors,” shared Tucson Field Manager Jayme Lopez.

The mesquite firewood is available as a result of the BLM’s ongoing grassland restoration program at the LCNCA. Invasive mesquite trees are removed to encourage growth of native grasses and improve wildlife habitat for species such as the pronghorn antelope.

The 45,000-acre LCNCA is located 45 miles southeast of Tucson in Pima and Santa Cruz counties. The conservation area protects a landscape of rolling, oak-studded grasslands and lush riparian areas that contain


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.