Walk and Talk at Sinclair Wash and the I-40 Wetlands

Thursday, September 1^st at 5:30pm

The summer monsoon season means fields of golden tickseed blooming at the I-40 wetlands. Photo courteous of Tom Bean

A surprisingly deep canyon cuts through Flagstaff and opens up unto a constructed wetland area at Interstate 40. I am, of course, referring to Sinclair Wash and the I-40 wetlands, a section along the Flagstaff Urban Trail System frequented by families, students, and wildlife alike.

Join us Thursday, September 1st at 5:30pm for a leisurely walk along Sinclair Wash from Willow Bend to the I-40 wetlands. Several speakers will join us to discuss current and future restoration projects, urban wildlife, and research at the wetlands on the effects of endocrine disruptor chemicals on amphibians.

Please meet and park vehicles at Willow Bend Environmental Education Center. If the lot is full, additional parking is available at the nearby sheriff’s station. We will walk from Willow Bend downstream to the I-40 wetlands. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a filled water bottle.

We look forward to another summer walk and talk September 1st!

Springs inventory and assessment workshop, October 13-14, 2016: The Spring Stewardship Institute (SSI) will host a 2-day workshop designed to inform and educate the public, students, government agencies, NGOs, and Tribes about springs inventory and stewardship. Participants will deepen their understanding of springs ecosystems, ecological integrity, natural and cultural resources, stewardship, restoration, monitoring, field data collection, and information management. The workshop consists of classroom presentations and discussions, as well as hands-on field inventory and assessment training each day. For more information visit http://springstewardshipinstitute.org/workshops/.

Free webinar, September 28th at 9am: SSI will also present the final results of their 2-year project to support provide land managers, researchers, and NGOs with comprehensive information about springs and springs-dependent species in the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Registration for this free webinar can be found here.

Arizona Daily Sun • April 16, 2016 • Special to the Daily Sun by Jack Welch

On July 12, personnel from Fred Phillips Consulting graciously volunteered their time to survey and brainstorm ideas for enhancing the I-40 wetlands area along the FUTS. Biologists and landscape architects from this award winning, local firm spent their time assessing resources and providing a preliminary sketch of how things might be better for this heavily used area.  The materials they provided are greatly appreciated and provide us all with a place to begin the conversation on how we want this area to look and perform.  We look forward to that conversation with all of our partners.  Many thanks from us to them!

Please click on the image to download a larger version of this vision map of the I-40 Wetlands.

The Friends of the Rio de Flag is a local non-profit operating on a small, donations-based budget. We are extremely appreciative of our monthly guest speakers who volunteer their time and energy to share their knowledge and experience about the watershed with our group!

We thank Mindy Bell of STEM City and Gary Alpert with the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) for their informative presentation on August 4th, 2016 at Coyote Springs. Mindy shared her past experience as a science teacher doing outdoor, place-based education with students at the Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy, while Gary discussed his current insect sampling efforts to better understand the biodiversity supported by the springs. For more information about Mindy’s past work at the spring including student-collected data, please email deflagrio@gmail.com. To learn about her current work with STEM City, visit their Facebook page. If you would like to learn more about Gary’s insect studies with MNA, shoot him an email at garydalpert@gmail.com.

Thanks again to our wonderful guest speakers!

Walk and Talk at Coyote Springs

Mindy Bell, STEM City

Thursday, August 4th at 6:00pm

Coyote Springs site with historic box construction prior to site rehabilitation. Photo courteous of Gary Alpert

Springs of the San Francisco Peaks represent a source of life for the natural world, and humans have had historical ties to these water sources for thousands of years. With such a rich history of supporting life in the region, springs like Coyote Springs create a unique opportunity to reflect, relate, and learn about local socioecological interactions.

Please join us Thursday, August 4th at 6pm for a walk and talk to Coyote Springs. Mindy Bell, of STEM City, will give a brief overview of her past work at the springs with students from the Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA).

Following our meeting, we welcome you to join us for live music, food, and drinks at the Museum of Northern Arizona’s “Thirsty Thursday” event! Bring cash for this event.

Please meet and park vehicles at the north end of the Museum of Northern Arizona’s parking lot at 6pm. We will walk from there to Coyote Springs. Wear sturdy shoes and sunscreen, and it would not hurt to bring a filled water bottle. 

We look forward to a great summer walk and talk with you Thursday, August 4th!

Walk along the Rio de Flag with Coral Evans, City Councilmember

Thursday, July 7th, 6:00PM

Meet at the Bus Connection Center on Phoenix Ave.

Rio de Flag flowing in Southside after heavy monsoon thunderstorm, June 28, 2016, Flagstaff, Arizona, Photo courteous of Tom Bean

Walk the Rio de Flag though the Southside neighborhood with City Councilmember Coral Evans and Friends of the Rio de Flag. Coral, who grew up in Southside, will explain some of the history here as we view areas flooded by recent heavy rains.

Frances Short Pond along the Rio de Flag.                     Photo courteous of Tom Bean

During Flagstaff’s 2015 Make a Difference Day, community members gathered at Frances Short Pond to take part in various restoration projects. These volunteer efforts stimulated further interest and activity at the pond with a focus on restoration and recreational opportunities.

We invite you to join us this Thursday, June 2nd, for a walk and talk around Frances Short Pond with David Mckee, City of Flagstaff Floodplain Inspector. David will discuss current projects underway at Frances Short Pond, and visions for the future of the Rio de Flag and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) in the area.

Please join us at the Frances Short Pond on Thursday, June 2nd at 6:00PM. Access the pond by following N Aztec St. north until the road ends at a small dirt parking lot. Directions to the pond can be found here.

Join the Friends of the Rio de Flag in cleanup and restoration efforts this Saturday, April 30th!