Leader: Karen LaFrance and Emily Thomas (Maricopa Audubon Society)

The SAS Trip Committee is teaming up with MAS to offer two guided walks at Gilbert Riparian Preserve on Thursday, Jan 13th at 8 AM and 9:30 AM each for 1.5 hours. The bird walk is free. Our host from MAS is Emily Thomas who is that chapter’s Trip Coordinator. SAS’ Karen LaFrance, SAS Co-Chair, will co-lead.

The TicketLeap link to sign-up is here: https://maricopa-audubon-society.ticketleap.com/mas-sas/. Anyone having trouble can give a shout to [email protected] as we can do the registration together real fast and you’ll be all set. Important note: those of you who have already contacted Karen will be registered by us. Later we’ll find out if you all like TicketLeap. And by the way it keeps a Wait List so you’ll be the first to sign up on the next joint SAS/MAS Gilbert Riparian visitation.

Once you are confirmed and the trip day approaches, plan to arrive at 7:45 for the first walk and 9:15 for the second walk. Meet up will occur at the Public Parking lot on Guadalupe Road (Map: https://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/4445/635379904

231770000 ). Spillover parking is at the library next door.

Difficulty: 1 level walking on dirt paths; bring binocs (really?!), a hat, water and good walking shoes; cameras OK. Be prepared to spend more time than the advertised walks; we will orient you to the Preserve and the map so you can wander around the trails afterwards. Sign up right away as each walk is limited to 12 persons.

Please be reminded of COVID protocol from the US CDC as SAS will be observing these measures: go to the latest guidance for personal vehicles at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/using-transportation.html#PersonalVehicles. Generally said, on SAS in-person Field Trips, share rides with your family and/or others who have been fully vaccinated. For those who are not fully vaccinated, for everyone’s comfort, drive yourself; if not fully vaccinated but are car-pooling, mask up and maintain social distancing.  For the un-vaccinated, the CDC says “get vaccinated”; for those in between 2-shot vaccination protocols and therefore not fully immunized, continue to mask up for these SAS Field Trips. And, for all of us, make sure your vehicle has good ventilation.