by Nancy Steele July 13, 2021 Trees are on my mind. This year, I’ve seen landscape trees and shrubs stressed and brown. Junipers in central and northern Arizona are dying in large numbers. The die off has been called unprecedented. Scientists believe it is caused by the combination of drought and extreme heat. These trees […]
“Conservationists warn that unchecked groundwater pumping threatens to dry up stretches of the Verde River.” Read this important article, with an easily understandable explanation of some complicated concepts, from AZCentral.com
September brings a buzz of back-to-school energy, and with it new projects for river lovers! #PurdyVerde Trash Pickups: River lovers in the Verde Valley have noticed that many popular River Access Points and other frequented outdoor recreation spots have once again become overrun by trash. Plastic bottles, disposable masks, cigarette butts, discarded food containers, and […]
by Bob and Kristin Rothrock “We decided to shift to monthly giving because that becomes income that the organization can count on. This reduces stress and we hope makes budgeting more accurate. To me the Verde and its tributaries means we get to live in the most beautiful part of the most diverse state in […]
by Nancy Steele August 9, 2021 About 15 years ago when I was working for another river conservation group, I visited a creek to learn about a river improvement project. It had been raining, and while walking to the creek I saw lots of small toads. In the creek, we rock-hopped to get a closer […]
by Nancy Steele June 7, 2021 Last Saturday it was midmorning, and I was nearing the end of my hike at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. I like to walk a circuit that takes in the bird feeders, the river trail, and all three ponds. But now I was looking forward to getting into my […]
“Framedin the foyerof Page Springs Cellars is a plaque certifying that Cornville winemaker Eric Glomski helped keepnearly1.4million gallons of water in the Verde River last year. Rainbow Acres, a Camp Verde-based residential community for adults with disabilities, was similarly recognized after working to preserve 1.2 million gallons on behalf of the river. And a local […]
“The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has donated nearly $600,000 for projects meant to help protectthe flow of the Verde River, one of Arizona’s few waterways that flows year-round. The money will support four river projects through the non-profit groupsNature ConservancyandFriends of the Verde River. Some of the work has been ongoing, such as a […]
“When two conservation groups prepared a “report card” assessing the health of the Verde River watershed, they gave it a C-plus. The groups will now receive $1.2 million to help boost that score, supporting their efforts to restore and protect the river.” Read more at AZ Central.
As August dawns in earnest, the Verde Valley remains hot and sunny. Those of us bringing dogs along to our Verde River adventures should take special precautions to make sure our four-legged friends are safe in the heat! Always bring more than enough water for yourself and your companions, human or otherwise. When it’s too […]
