by Melanie Miles In light of COVID, we decided to take our Verde River Runoff VIRTUAL this year. We offered our supporters all over the country a chance to explore their favorite water bodies while paddling in honor of Friends. This was a unique opportunity for us to connect with paddlers and nature lovers from […]
by Maya Rappaport Happy September! I love this month. The air smells crisper, and birds in migration begin to pass through our yards and favorite outdoor places. This month, I want to highlight a migratory species, the Lazuli Bunting. The Lazuli Bunting is named for the male’s gorgeous lazuli blue coloring. He shines brilliantly in […]
All about WINE! Do you LOVE wine? So do we! Friends of the Verde River works closely with vineyards and winemakers across Arizona in order to support a healthy Verde River. These partnerships help keep water in the river while supporting our community’s economy. By purchasing one of these exclusive Friends-partnered wines, you support a flowing […]
Registrants for this year’s VIRTUAL Verde River Runoff have some exciting things to say! “As a hydrogeologist, my career reflects my lifelong passion for traveling by, recreating on, and soaking in the beauty of pristine riparian areas like the Verde River. Fundraising for Friends of the Verde River is a privilege to be able to […]
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias As Friends’ resident bird nerd, I’m thrilled to begin this new series: Bird of the Month! Here in the Verde Valley, we are blessed with beautiful habitats, a rich diversity of species, and an abundance of life. My hope is to celebrate some of the species that make the […]
It’s that time of year again! Friends of the Verde River is giving away up to $10,000 for riverrelatedprojects to be completed by community organizations. This year will mark the 20th project funded by local businesses that participate in Friends of the Verde River programs. Last year, Friends was proud to work with both the […]
Friends of the Verde River is pleased to welcome Jeni O’Callaghan as the new President of the Board of Directors. O’Callaghan stepped into the prestigious role on July 1, formally occupied by Chip Norton since December 2011. O’Callaghan has a keen eye for agriculture and river friendly business practices, as she and her husband own a beef farm […]
Community Conversation #2: Stories from the Pandemic Thursday, Sept. 3, 10-11:30 am via ZOOM. Hosted by the Sustainability Alliance and OLLI While many of us are stuck at home, it can be hard to see how COVID-19 has impacted our community. How has the pandemic affected our region, and what’s being done to create a […]
Are you tired of seeing garbage clutter up your favorite outdoor spots? We are too! Trash dims the beauty of our great outdoors, and it poses serious threats to wildlife. We can all pitch in to make a difference by picking up trash. We can help keep nature beautiful while protecting the animals!
By Elaine Nichols, Habitat Restoration Coordinator. Thursday afternoon Tracy and I hit the road headed to Patagonia in southeast Arizona for another survey training. Having only been south of Phoenix once, I was excited to see this part of the state and to learn about the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Throughout the training, we learned about […]
