Harvestmen, also called Daddy Longlegs, are not spiders, but close relatives.  Their bodies grow to 1/4 inch long, and unlike spiders, which have two main body sections, Harvestmen only have one. They have a little knob on their heads with two eyes. Nocturnal feeders, they eat small insects (aphids, caterpillars, beetles, flies, mites), small slugs, snails, earthworms, spiders, other harvestmen, decaying plant and animal matter.  They live for one year, dying with the cold of winter. (Photo USFWS , Jim Rorabaugh)

Cochie canyon - On June 19th the Arizona Open Land Trust and Pima County announced the protection of 290 acres of Cochie Canyon in the Tortolita Mountains. This project is the culmination of several years of conversations between the landowner and the Trust. The landowner’s commitment to protecting the property spans decades, and through our discussions with her and with Pima County we were able to craft a conservation solution that fits the needs of both parties and this remarkable land.

This property is an extremely valuable addition to Pima County’s conservation portfolio.

• It provides habitat for several federally listed endangered species including the lesser long-nosed bat and the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl; and several federal species of concern including the Allen’s big-eared bat, the Arizona shrew, Swainson’s hawk, Western burrowing owl, and lowland leopard frog.
• This part of the Canyon contains several large and small washes that provide wildlife movement corridors and serve important hydrological functions.
• The property supports plant communities that contain sensitive species, including 20 of Pima County’s Priority Vulnerable Species.
• It supports three Pima County Habitat Conservation Targets: palo verde-mixed cacti; ironwood desert scrub and Sonoran riparian scrub.

tucson mountain park - In 2000 the Trust was able to acquire two parcels comprising 750-acres to add to Tucson Mountain Park. The land is now part of the Pima County park system and is the largest single addition to Tucson Mountain Park since the Park's inception in 1928.

In 2004 the Trust secured protection of an additional 80 acres connecting the Tucson Mountain Park with the Santa Cruz River corridor. Situated at the southwestern base of the Tucson Mountains, the protection of this property preserves a priority conservation area for the California leaf-nosed bat. The Trust is working to protect additional open space near this property to enhance a wildlife corridor from the Tucson Mountains to the West Branch and Santa Cruz River.

los morteros - At the northern end of the Tucson Mountains lies an area known as Los Morteros-rich in habitat, historical and cultural resources and scenic quality, Pima County residents have earmarked this region for protection for decades. The peaks of the Los Morteros area are highly visible to eastbound travelers on Interstate 10 as they approach metropolitan Tucson. In addition the United States Fish & Wildlife Service has identified this area as a corridor for the federally endangered cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl. The Arizona Open Land Trust has protected two parcels in the area and continues to work with landowners to acquire this land that is highly visible, boasts rich cultural resources and has high habitat value.

carpenter ranch - In 2005 the Trust negotiated the acquisition of the Carpenter Ranch, which is adjacent to the existing Pima County preserve north of Tortolita Mountain Park. Protection of this property contributes to the County’s 200-acre parcel known as Cochie Spring, which contains an historic ranch site, a spring, and riparian area. Acquisition of the Carpenter Ranch expands the conservation area of the 3,445-acre Tortolita Mountain Park and protects the dense vegetation found within Cottonwood Canyon and Bass Canyon. The Tortolita Mountains are home to several wildlife species, including a large number of bird species, mountain lion, javalina, mule deer, and several types of lizards.