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Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service— a “day on, not a day off.” In recognition of Dr. King’s incredible legacy, Friends of the Verde River organized a volunteer event at four different sites in Camp Verde. Our first volunteer event of 2018 was a success, bringing together 35 community members, 10 Friends staff and board members, 29 Arizona Conservation Corps members, and 7 Vetraplex Verde River crew members. Over three hours in the afternoon, volunteers removed over 45 bags of trash from along the river and weeded 5.5 acres of pollinator and native grass gardens.
Volunteers with trash removed from Homestead Park. The Town of Camp Verde, along with AZ State Parks and Prescott National Forest, is working to develop this site for public recreation.
Volunteers weeding at Rezzonico Park. The Verde Native Seed Cooperative is partnering with the Town of Camp Verde here to grow a half-acre of wild-collected native grasses to showcase the production of drought tolerant native grasses for the public. Photo credit: Kim Lipsky
Volunteers weeding the Shield Ranch pollinator garden. The Verde Valley is a migration stop for pollinators, like monarch butterflies, and planting milkweed and native wildflowers here can help increase their numbers.
Our new executive director, Nancy Steele, weeding the Yavapai-Apache nation native grass field. Seed produced from the grass will be used for local restoration projects, shared with community volunteers, and herbicide free native grass hay will be made available to local gardeners.
The 7th Annual Martin Luther King Day March in Camp Verde passing by Thanks A Latte, a One for the Verde Conservation Partner. Friends participated in the morning as a nonprofit partner. It was an inspiring event that reminded us of the compassion and strength in our community.
