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The has been a green-uniformed presence at the popular recreation area since 1997, but the dozens of patrol members who work in the canyon and on mountain trails for free were told to stand down in early January due to apparent public contact disputes with the Santa Catalina District Ranger.

Coronado National Forest spokeswoman Starr Farrell said the patrol voluntarily suspended operations in early January “so all members could receive training and be in alignment with (USDA) Forest Service policies.�

Farrell added that to “update expectations,� additions have been made to the patrol’s volunteer agreement with the Forest Service.

The volunteer patrol’s leadership announced the stand down in a Jan. 9 email to members.

“This means that we will not be patrolling, not be in uniform, and will not be representing the Forest Service,� the email said. “This drastic action is needed because we have patrollers not following our Forest Service Agreement, and any additional violations will result in our charter being removed. All patrollers will be required to go through retraining.�

Donato (“Don�) DelMastro is the district ranger in charge of the Santa Catalina Ranger District, which manages Sabino Canyon. He said on Wednesday that he had met with representatives from the volunteer patrol and “worked through the nuances of their updated agreement.�

Once the agreement is signed, the patrol can resume its work in the district, DelMastro said.

It’s unclear what specific incidents prompted revoking the group’s operating agreement and requiring new training.

The patrol’s interim president, Mark Wright, and its former president, Richard Cyr, declined to comment.

Cyr resigned on Jan. 27, explaining in an email to members that he was stepping down for the good of the organization after meetings with DelMastro.

“It is clear to me that the best (and maybe only) chance that SCVP has to get reinstated as a partner with the USFS is if I am no longer a part of it,� Cyr wrote.

Sabino Canyon attracts about 1.3 million people annually, according to the . Tourism data shows that January to April is by far the busiest time for out-of-town visitors to the recreation area.

The volunteer patrol was founded in 1997 by volunteers and Forest Service employees concerned about the impact of budget cuts and limited personnel on Sabino Canyon visitor services and facility maintenance.

Patrol members wear a green Forest Service uniform with a volunteer patch and provide information to the public outside the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center and on trails throughout the Santa Catalina Mountains.

The group’s bike patrol rides the roads in Sabino Canyon to offer information and assistance where needed. (The canyon is open to cyclists for limited hours when shuttles are not operating).

Patrol members also help at the visitor center’s front desk and assist with wildlife monitoring for another large volunteer group, the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists.

In the past, potential patrollers had to apply and go through extensive training. At last check, the patrol’s website said the group was “not accepting applications at this time.�