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USDA Forest Service- Tonto National Forest

@tontonationalforest

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The official Instagram account of Tonto National Forest, central Arizona. 🌵🌲

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Recently, @saltyscubasquad and @swatt_salt_river_cleanups volunteers hosted a clean-up event on the Lower Salt River. Between the two groups, they contributed 36 hours of volunteer time and removed 588 pounds of trash, including 30 vapes.

Since the vapes are hazardous waste, they’ll have to be sent to a recycle center rather than disposed of in a landfill.

Thank you to all volunteers who make significant contributions to the legacy of conservation for future generations. We love our volunteers! 💚 by @tontonationalforest

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Too many amazing scenes from the recent storms to sift through. But doesn't the desert look so good topped off with those gorgeously fluffy clouds? 🌵⛅ taken in Superstition Mountain by @tontonationalforest

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Tonto National Forest Fire Management Officer Nick Castro shares an update on the West Verde Project, a hazardous fuels reduction project beginning tomorrow, Oct. 15, 2026.

⚠️The public is urged to use caution when traveling on Forest Service roads near the active project area because of movements of heavy machinery and flying debris.

Crews will begin chipping and thinning operations along Forest Service roads 24, 269 and 16 within the treatment area west of the Verde River, east of Interstate 17, and north of Cave Creek and Scottsdale. The work includes removing juniper trees and chaparral brush along 3,942 acres. This treatment area is part of the first of four priority treatment areas in the West Verde Project, totaling about 231,785 acres on the district. Crews expect to complete the first phase by September 2027.

By reducing hazardous fuels, the forest is working to provide support to public and firefighter safety, restore native plants and wildlife habitat, restore the natural role of fire and help watersheds progress toward more properly functioning conditions! by @tontonationalforest

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What better way to welcome autumn here in the Valley than beneath a sky layered with magnificent storm clouds?

I simply cannot get enough of it! 🌵⛈️🧡 taken in Bush Highway by @tontonationalforest

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Thanks again to everyone who joined us a few weeks ago to remove 1,180 pounds of trash during our 11th annual National Public Lands Day Lower Salt River Land & Water Cleanup with @tontonationalforest, @neefusa_org (NEEF), & @amermedicalassn (AMA)! ⁠
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298 volunteers, including 39 youth volunteers, helped us make a positive impact on the Tonto National Forest!⁠ Volunteers hiked & explored recreation sites along the Lower Salt River. Volunteers with kayaks & paddleboards floated the river, picking up trash volunteers on foot could not reach. ⁠Thank you to @srtubing for providing a free shuttle to Pebble Beach for volunteers with SUPs & kayaks! ⁠Thank you, @river_rangers_tnf, @saltyscubasquad, & @swatt_salt_river_cleanups!⁠
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This event was funded in part by the National Environmental Education (NEEF) Foundation & the American Medical Association (AMA). Thank you to NEEF for providing free one-day Public Lands passes for volunteers to use another time. ⁠
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Thank you to @whatscrackincafe for donating breakfast goodies! They are also giving YOU a 25% off discount code to use through October at their cafe & online! Use code NATURAL25. ⁠
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After a restorative day spent in nature, volunteers enjoyed ice cold NA Brews & Sparkling Water thanks to @AthleticBrewing!⁠
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Check out photos of raffle winners! Thank you, @savagesoulsbotaniks, for donating a raffle goodie bag!⁠
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This event was also possible due to support from:⁠ @az4runneroutsiders, @arizona_plasma, @aztoytech, @arizonawg, @avnet, @beerbarnaz, @desertmonsterstours, @durobumps, Illuminated Funds Group, @nosnowsup, @odysea.aquarium, @REI Cooperative Action Fund, @resolutioncopper, @saguarolakeranch, @srpconnect, @state48overland, @stellaradventures, Verderia, @visitmesa, & @yamahaoutdoors.⁠⁠ ⁠
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#naturalrestorations⁠
#tontonationalforest⁠
#lowersaltriver⁠
#NPLD2026⁠ by @tontonationalforest

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Sssssssurprise! 👻

Look who slithered by to say hello! A Forest Service employee spotted this rattlesnake wandering just outside the backside windows of the Tonto Basin Ranger District office. The best part? They can’t see us, but thanks to our building, we can safely see them!

Out in your national forest, things can be a little different. Remember to admire wildlife from a safe distance.
• If you spot a rattlesnake and you’re not within striking range, slowly and calmly back away.
• If you are within striking range and there’s no wall of glass between you, make no sudden movements and wait for the snake to move on.

Sudden movements can mean a big nope for both you and the snake.

If you’re ever bitten by a rattlesnake, go to the nearest medical facility immediately. First aid performed in the field often causes more harm than good, so seek professional help right away.

Reptiles in Arizona are most active from April through October. Stay aware, stay safe, and keep enjoying your public lands. 😉 taken in Tonto National Forest by @tontonationalforest

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Excited to have those hurricane rains return to the desert once again this weekend. 🌵🌧️

Here’s hoping they bring a little of this along with them. 🤞🏻 taken in Bush Highway by @tontonationalforest

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Baby Pine Photos!

#DYK, the Tonto National Forest has baby ponderosa pine trees growing at Lucky Peak Nursery near Boise? These ponderosa pine trees will be planted across approximately 500 acres total within the Dude Fire and Telegraph Fire burn areas this come November. by @tontonationalforest

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It’s officially spooky season, and the Sonoran Desert has already started decorating for Halloween.

No polyester cobwebs or plastic spiders required. The real ones have been wandering the trails in numbers lately. 🕷️🕸️ 🎃 taken in Cave Creek Campground, Seven Springs Az by @tontonationalforest

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The mastication work within the Dude Fire Restoration Project is officially complete!
Swipe ➡️ to read more! 🙌

With years of support from dedicated partners, including the @u.s.forestservice, @forestryfireaz, @srpconnect, @azgfd, this collaborative effort accelerated restoration at the scale needed to reduce hazardous fuels across thousands of acres, protecting communities and infrastructure from wildfire risk.

Thank you to our partners for expanding capacity, expertise and community connections to deliver work that reflects local priorities and values!

🌱Caption 1: Post-treated masticated brush area between ponderosa pine stands nearing 50% completion as part of the Dude Fire Restoration project, Phase 3 (Forest Service photo by Patty Ringle).

🌱Caption 2: an excavator with a masticating head used as a design element (Forest Service photo by Madeline Bautista).

🌱Caption 3: Pre-treated area between ponderosa pine stands before phase 3 began as part of the Dude Fire Restoration project (Forest Service photo by Patty Ringle).

🌱Caption 4: A contractor operates a masticator to break apart brush and small trees, reducing fuel density during Phase 2 of the Dude Fire Restoration project in Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, June 6, 2024 (Forest Service video by Madeline Bautista).

🌱Caption 5: Vortex in smoke during the 1990 Dude Fire.

Courtesy photo by National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

🌱 Caption 6 (top): Aerial view of the 1990 Dude Fire on June 26th with the Mogollon Rim visible on the left.

Bottom photo: The aftermath of the 1990 Dude Fire on the mesa above Walk Moore Canyon.

Courtesy photos by NWCG.

🌱Caption 7: Pictured here, a renewed memorial redesigned and restored by residents of Bonita Creek Estates, volunteers, and local fire crews, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. The memorial honors the six firefighters of the Perryville Crew that perished during the Dude Fire on June 26, 1990 ( Forest Service photo by Ellie Willard).

🌱Caption 8: Ponderosa pine seedlings growing at the Lucky Peak Nursery near Boise, Idaho, to be planted in the Dude and Telegraph fire burn areas beginning November 2026 on the Tonto National Forest, central Slide 1
Photo depicting a post-treated area with tall ponderosa stands at a wide stance from each other in a cleared area.
Title: Mastication work within the Dude Fire Restoration Project is officially complete! taken in Tonto National Forrest by @tontonationalforest

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