Hands-on research connects classrooms with local conservation efforts The Cottonwood School District has partnered with Friends of the Verde River to launch an exciting new educational initiative: the Verde Watershed Fellowship Research Project. This program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, real-world science while helping protect one of Arizona’s most important natural […]
Recently on a field trip to Montezuma Well, Dr. Larry Stevens, Director of the Springs Stewardship Institute, explained that it took up to 13,000 years for water to flow underground from the San Francisco Peaks to the well and theoretically the water in well could possibly include mastodon DNA. That opened a larger discussion of […]
As I have mentioned in earlier articles, I grew up on a Midwestern farm. As a child, one of the most magical times was in June just after twilight when the lawn and surrounding fields were filled with fireflies. My sisters, brother and I spent many evenings chasing them around our home in soft last […]
This past Thursday morning, April 3rd, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Watershed Management Group from Tucson and other involved citizens and employees of the Camp Verde area to learn about and engage with rainwater harvesting. Together, we installed a 1,300 gallon rainwater tank at the Camp Verde stormwater office. While installing the […]
Author: David Gressly. Originally published in the JournalAZ Hummingbirds, with their dazzling plumage and extraordinary agility, are among the most captivating birds in the Americas. There are over three hundred species of these tiny avian wonders, most of which thrive in tropical regions where flowers bloom year-round. However, southern Arizona is a special haven for […]
In the heart of our communities, where nature intertwines with our daily lives, lies the lifeblood of our ecosystems – rivers. These vital waterways not only sustain our environment but also provide us with a sense of connection and vitality. Recognizing the importance of preserving these natural wonders, the River Friendly Living program has been […]
In June, Friends of the Verde River’s Shannon Murphy attended the Arizona Geographic Information Council (AGIC) Geospatial Summit. She learned how geographic information systems (GIS) could benefit our work in the Verde River Watershed. The theme “GIS for Good – Mapping with Sensors, Data, and Analytics” provided the structure of the event. GIS tools can […]
We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of a groundwater recharge project at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, AZ. The project was completed as part of the River Friendly Living program which encourages sustainable water practices. This project highlights groundwater recharge infrastructure as a solution for flood control and water management issues. Historically, […]
Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as a unicorn. It’s real and it lives in Arizona. My husband found one in our yard in April, and I have the photos to prove it. We let it go and hope it will reproduce in the wild and make more unicorns. As you probably have figured […]
What is GIS? GIS stands for Geographic Information System. GIS is a mapping tool that allows us to link data with specific locations to help with research, monitoring, and analysis. GIS is an important tool that we use at Friends of the Verde River to understand trends, or how things are changing, in the habitat […]
