The Local Loop

The "Local Loop"

Starting at Baseline Road and Iroquois Lane in Gold Canyon (the dNa home base) then heading up and around Kings Ranch to Golden Rim, Don Donnelly plus an added ride over to the Hieroglyphic Trail, a roughly 3 to 4 mile loop is made daily (during active reptile seasons when average temps reach 80) to monitor and pick up DOR: Dead On Road.

Why? Safety

Noticeable increases in traffic and speeding along the local Gold Canyon roads have made walking, biking, access to the trails and animal crossing dangerous.

The goal being to lower speeds, add safe walking paths, stop signs or speed bumps , animal crossing signs and safety zones, the dNa is recording all of the animals spotted in this area.

In a one month period from August to September of 2020, the dNa recorded 20 snakes DOR, dead on road, in this small area. Species included Western Diamondback, King, Gopher, Long Nose and Coachwhip. In the same time period, the dNa recorded no fewer than 25 sightings of live animals moving or attempted crossing through this area, including Coyote, Javelina, Mule deer, Roadrunner, Turkey Vulture, Rabbit, Gambel's Quail, along with live Western Diamondback and other snakes attempting to navigate the roads.

Donations and funding for the Local Loop go to support manpower, collection and documentation of DOR, cleaning, displaying and housing of DOR.