Ahakhav Tribal Preserve-Starts

The ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve was established in 1995 and currently consists of 1,253 acres of wilderness area and a 3.5 acre park.  The preserve is centered around a reconstructed Colorado River backwater, which offers a variety of activities including fishing, canoeing, birding, and swimming.  The preserve also maintains a 4.6 mile fitness trail as well as playground and picnic facilities located in the park.The preserve serves many purposes.  One is to provide recreational and learning opportunities to the surrounding community as well as visitors.  The other is to serve as a vegetation area for endangered and threatened plants and animals native to the Lower Colorado River Basin.  The Lower Colorado is an area that faces many problems, from damming that causes changes in natural stream flow, to a variety of invasive species.  The preserve is an ongoing project to study methods of vegetation and restoration that may be used though out the area.

The Ahakhav Tribal Preserve is dedicated to the enrichment of youth through scientific and cultural exploration. The Preserve is working in conjunction with the Colorado River Indian Tribes education department to improve the science and math scores of the tribes youth. The Preserve provides educational opportunities during breaks in the school year for students ranging in ages 5 to 13. It provides students an opportunity to explore their environment through fieldtrips and hands-on learning. While schools are in session the Preserve also serves as an outdoor classroom. Activities for local schools: The Preserve wants to be used as a cultural and natural resource for the local community. Activities can be provided to correspond with the requirements of each grade level. To set-up a fieldtrip please contact Charlotte Melson, Environmental Education coordinator, at 669-2664 EX.5.