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Friends of the Verde River proudly presents Janie Agyagos with our President’s Award, recognizing her remarkable contributions to wildlife, habitat conservation, and community education. Over her 35-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, Janie has dedicated herself to protecting species, restoring habitats, and engaging volunteers and the public in conservation work.
One example of her impact is her leadership in wildfire response and habitat protection. During the Backbone Fire in Fossil Creek, Janie played a critical role on the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, helping assess soil burn severity, protect threatened species, and guide mitigation efforts. Her expertise ensured that native fish, riparian vegetation, and critical archaeological sites were safeguarded while helping communities recover safely from the fire.
Janie’s work has also improved habitat for Pronghorn, replacing unsafe fencing with wildlife-friendly designs and restoring native grasslands that support birds, mammals, and other species. Beyond her technical achievements, Janie inspires others through volunteer work, teaching, and collaborative partnerships with agencies, universities, NGOs, and community members. Her legacy leaves the Verde River and surrounding lands healthier and more resilient for generations to come.
About Janie Agyagos
Janie dedicated 35 years to the U.S. Forest Service, beginning her career as a wildland firefighter on the Tonto National Forest in 1990. She soon secured a Co-op wildlife training position while completing her education at Arizona State University. After earning a BS in Wildlife & Fisheries Management in 1993, Janie spent 32 years as a Forest Service wildlife biologist; 31 of those years as District Wildlife Staff on the nearly 500,000-acre Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest.
Throughout her career, she worked as a wildlife biologist, naturalist, and ecologist, monitoring special status species, designing habitat improvements, managing protective area closures, and leading environmental education efforts. She collaborated extensively with agencies, universities, NGOs, and volunteers to support species recovery and ensure that common species remain common. In April 2025, she retired and continues to devote her time to volunteering and teaching.
Listening to the Verde – Wildlife Corridors with Janie Agyagos
Watch this episode of Listening to the Verde, where US Forest Service wildlife biologist Janie Agyagos talks with us about pronghorns, wildlife corridors, and grassland species in the Verde River watershed.
The Heron Awards
Each Heron Award is a beautiful, glass-blown work of art crafted by local artists at The Melting Point. These one-of-a-kind pieces symbolize our deep appreciation for those who help Friends of the Verde River protect and restore one of the Southwest’s last free-flowing rivers. They embody creativity, dedication, and the river’s enduring resilience.
We also take great pride in recognizing our partners and supporters during our annual gala, Fiesta de la Garza, where the community comes together to celebrate the people who make our work possible. We hope to see you there!
