Area A: “Trail Kick Off”
(Location: at kiosk at entrance to Seven Springs)

Interpretive objectives:

• Orient the visitor to being in a National Forest, along a uniqe riparian area, in the Cave Creek District

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Large map of Cave Creek district, showing and calling out 24 Road, Humbolt turnoff, Sheep Bridge, Bronco Trailhead

• As Seven Springs has be a campsite historically, we need to help campers and hikers locate themselves and find campsites at the other camping sites.

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Detail map showing Seven Springs area, CCC campground (10 units), Ashdale Group site (25-100 person groups), Juniper Dispersed camping area.

Suggested media: Three panels in four color process I-Zone signs,
24 x 36 vertical panels

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Area B: Seven Springs, CCC and The Elements
(Central area near entrance, across from setting bench)

Interpretive objectives:

• Tell story of CCC building in the Cave Creek District in 1934.
  
• Picnic table and grill will be original historic CCC table; discuss on panel
• Water in the Desert overview; discussion of importance and uniqueness of natural springs in a desert environment

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Historic photo or drawing from old time visitors, picnicing at Seven Springs

  Graph of rainfall contrasted with Phoenix

  Riparian species detail (Black phoebe on branch over water with dragonfly caught, for example)

• Crossroads area historically, from prehistoric to early days. Water has always produced a draw. Get information from Scott Wood about the area.

• Area developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934 and importance of preserving the site. Ask Michael Sullivan regarding photographs.

• Provide interesting information to extend the enjoyment of someone wheelchair bound. Make signs assessable for wheelchairs.

• Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Historic CCC images, and maybe plan drawings if available

  VIEW PDF OF THE BELOW SIGNS

  

  

  

Suggested media: Two low mounted and unobtrusive. Concrete and rock base, with 12 x 36 inch metal (Anodized alumimum) panels.

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Area C: Birds and the Habitat
(Location: old toilet  site, overlooking the Seven Springs area)

Interpretive objectives:

• Orient visitors to the three distinct habitats of the Seven Springs area: desert riparian, upland shrub and chapparal, and Sonoran desert (check these categories with district). Use three panels to show plants that distinquish of each, and illustrate avian species associated with it.
  
• The variety of wildlife

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Various species of birds, and the habitat they use....like a bluebird on a juniper; gila woodpecker on a saguaro; painted redstart on a sycamore

Suggested media: Two low mounted and unobtrusive signs, with 18 x 36 inch full I-one mounted in recess in concrete top.

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Area D: Riparian Overlook
(Location: along trail, overlooking creek)

Interpretive objectives:

• Discuss the riparian habitat, and the roles of diversity, insects, crayfish, and leapard frogs. Text regarding what does “a crawdad have to do with a hooded oriole that comes here for the summers?” Explain connection supplied by Robert Smith, University of Arizona entomologist studying SS area since 1970.

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Diagram of cross section of stream and air above, so image will show native fish, beetles, dragonflies prior to crawdad devastation.

  Crayfish image

  Sidebar of text from entomologist and biologist regarding crayfish, beetles unique to Seven Springs and leopard frogs, so that it is professional opinion and not FS text.

Suggested media: A horizontal mounted and angled sign at side of trail.  36 x 24 inch in size, with color images from either porcelain enamel or Izone.

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Area E: Ranching and the Landform
(Location: along trail in front of barbed wire fence)

Interpretive objectives:

• Discuss history of Cartwright Ranch, role of ranching in area, multi-use of forest, danger of overuse of water for commercial purposes

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Historic ranching images

  • Discuss the lay of the land; where the Verde River is in connection to SS;
    
  • Explain the geology of the area, based on Charles Ferguson studies for Arizona Geological  Survey. Location of faults. Types of rocks. Origin of landforms.
    

    Visuals on exhibit panels:
    DEM based (topographically shaded) image of land with callouts of dominant feature

Suggested media: A horizontal mounted and angled sign at side of trail.  18 x 36 inch in size, with monochromatic images etched in annodized aluminum.

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Area F: Animal Residents 
(Location: at north old toilet site overlooking SS)

• Second group site, especially for schools.
• Use this site to talk about the animals that pass through the area.
• Use concrete pad to make tracks of animals that are in panel’s illustration

  Visuals on exhibit panels:
  Drawing with various mammals: possibly raccoon, bobcat, ringtail, coyote, desert cottontail, mule deer, mountain lion.

  Tracks in the concrete.

  

Suggested media: Two low mounted and unobtrusive, I-Zone material, with 18 x 36 inch metal (Anodized alumimum) panels.

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Plant Identification signs
(Location: along trail)

Suggested media: 12 Small anodized aluminum signs 5 x 7