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 […]
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 […]
Do you have an idea for an initiative or project that will benefit the Verde River or our other waterways? Our River Friendly Grants program, funded by our participating businesses, is open to new grant applications starting August 1. Grants can provide up to $5000 of funding for your River Friendly project! The River Friendly […]
The Verde Village Property Owners Association (VVPOA) was awarded $5,000 for improvements to the Verde River Nature Preserve. The VVPOA iscommitted to keeping this area free from development that may impinge onthe river. Historically, this part of the Verde River has been where familieshaveenjoyed fishing, swimming and recreation. Keeping the Nature Preserve and Pond as […]
The Verde Ranger Program was funded $5,000. In April of 2020,the COVID-19 pandemic brought “stay at home” proclamations all over Arizona. Whenthe proclamations wereimplemented,Clarkdale’s two river parkssaw recreationalboating skyrocket,since outdoor recreation had almost no restrictions. Even today, kayaks and kayaking gear are extremelyhard to find. Because so many new boaters have adopted the pastime recently, […]
Friends of the Verde River, along with our partners in the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition, is thrilled to have won a FY 2021 Cooperative Watershed Management Program Restoration Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to the tune of $97K! “Friends of the Verde River and the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition, located in Central Arizona, will […]
Looking for ways to give back to the Verde River? Please join us in another Purdy Verde trash pick-up! While you’re out enjoying the beauty of nature this Memorial Day Weekend, bring some trash bags with you, and leave your favorite places a little cleaner than you found them. Please share your amazing trash haul […]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently designated over 300,000 total acres of critical wildlife habitat for Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos, with over half of that total land area in Arizona alone. The Western subspecies of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo is federally listed as “threatened,” as populations of breeding Yellow-billed Cuckoos face steep declines due mainly […]
by Chelsea Aguero As a native southern Californian who has spent just a little time exploring the southwest, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the vast beauty and adventure I’ve beheld in my first month with my boots on the ground, monitoring the vast Verde River with my team. Friends of the Verde River has gathered […]
