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Verde River Stories
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 […]
by Isaac Dudley Introducing your new favorite beer! Most of us know by now that where we spend our money matters. Friends of the Verde River is proud to partner with businesses across the Verde River Watershed to put that money to work! Since the start of the Verde Conservation Partner program, participating businesses have […]
We had a blast celebrating our 10th anniversary of working for the Verde River with the Virtual Verde River Runoff! From March 20-30, our community got out on the water while paddling in support of Friends. We raised over $1600 (click here to donate to support future events)! THANK YOU to everyone who participated, told […]
Writing and Photos by Chris Young Another season on the river has passed. And in those 18 weeks, 3 seasons came and went. Summer seemed to hang on last year. Another year without the monsoons. We were just below Thousand Trails on river right. The arundo was thick in large patches and swollen with past […]
Late last week wildlife agencies throughout the country issued notifications to aquarium owners about zebra mussels attached to live Marimo moss balls that have been sold at pet or aquarium stores nationwide. As of March 9, infested moss balls have been confirmed in 32 states, including Arizona. Zebra mussels are considered one of the most […]
by Maya Rappaport February 26, 2021 In February, hints of spring begin to arrive in Arizona, bringing faint indications of the start of spring migration. As the weather warms and the air fills once again with birdsong, our excitement for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival continues to grow! This year’s festival theme is […]
This Friday, February 12, marks the beginning of the Great Backyard Bird Count! To participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, birders of all skill levels are encouraged to get out and bird for at least 15 minutes any day during the 4-day weekend, and submit their observations to eBird. As you might have guessed […]
“Stretching 190 miles from the grasslands of Chino Valley to the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix, the Verde is Arizona’s last, best river. The Verde Provides a home to over 200 bird species, 90 mammal species, and 75 native amphibian and reptile species… From the forests to the deserts, elk to rattlesnakes, vineyards to sweet corn, […]