We have had to cancel our in-person meetings this spring – but now we are back with a zoom meeting on June 4 at 6:00.  Dr. Ben Ruddell, Associate Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, will be discussing a citizen science possibility on the Rio de Flag.  Perhaps you have seen one of the stations with a water level marker and a sign about how to participate.  Dr. Ruddell will explain how to take part in the study.  Please join us on June 4.

It is a great time to be outside, about the safest place to be these days according to several studies.  We encourage all to get outside on the Rio de Flag.  It is especially beautiful now with the trees leafing out and abundant bird song.  Last week I was walking the section in Coconino Estates and a string quartet was playing in a back yard, right next to the FUTS trail.  It was sublime.  But we have an added reason to be out on the Rio – taking part in citizen science.   Beauty, exercise, birdsong, and science – the Rio has it all.

Information on how to participate in the zoom meeting will be sent to our members. If you would like to be in on the meeting but do not get an invitation, please send an email to deflagrio@gmail.com.

Thursday March 5, at 6pm at the Montoya Center

A look at the cooperative project headed by the Arboretum and including the City, County, Museum, Natural Channel Design and private land owners.

Presented by Jan Busco, horticulturist, native plant expert and author

Jan has worked with native plants for more than three decades and is the curator of MNA’s gardens and grounds. She has written three books on western native plants including Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens (Fulcrum Press 2010, 2004). This talk will be about a grant she received to prevent the spread of non-native invasive weeds on the watershed of the Rio de Flag adjacent to the Museum Fire. There will be opportunities to learn how to prevent the spread of invasive weeds and to participate in citizen science.

February 16, 2 pm

MNA Branger Chase Auditorium

With John Carr and Christopher Tressler

Engineers with Coconino County Community Development

February 6 at 6:30 pm

At the Montoya Center

235 N Thorpe Rd

We have all seen the threat of flooding from the fire last summer and many of us helped place sandbags to prevent damage from possible flooding that occurs post-fire. What is the county’s role in flood mitigation and what are the plans going forward? John Carr and Christopher Tressler, engineers for Coconino County will give a short presentation and be able to answer questions about how the county is proceeding with flood mitigation work. Join us on February 6 at the Montoya Center to learn more.

Sunday Feb 2, 2020  at 2pm

I-40 Wetlands along the Rio de Flag

Meet at the southwest corner of Sam’s Club parking lot at 2 pm and be prepared for icy and muddy conditions.  Local habitat professionals are leading the walk to answer your questions about the site.   Note that it is also groundhog day, so keep your eyes open for the elusive (and probably unwilling to look for shadows in February) prairie dog.

Help us celebrate the biodiversity of wetlands in Flagstaff along the Rio de Flag.   The Rio supports several named wetlands, including the Cheshire Wetlands, Picture Canyon areas, and the I-40 Wetlands.  These important habitats are great for watching wildlife and boast some of the best birding around Flagstaff.  Join us for a walk on February 2 to the I-40 Wetlands to explore the habitat in winter

Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world’s most productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival. The Convention on Wetlands, the only global treaty to focus on a single ecosystem was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971with 171 member states, including the United States.   For more information on the Ramsar Convention check out the website  https://www.ramsar.org/

This year the theme for World Wetlands Day is Wetland Biodiversity Matters.  Biodiversity rates are in steep decline worldwide, and wetland species are the most at risk.  In less than 50 years, between 1097 and 2014 populations of fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles have declined by 60 %.  This is especially alarming in Arizona where less than 10% of original riparian habitats remain.

Come and explore one of those critical habitats with us on 2/2/2020 at 2pm, and be prepared for Flagstaff’s variable weather in Feburary – muddy and icy conditions are probable.  Sturdy shoes, warm clothes and hiking poles are not out of line!

Thursday January 2, 6:00-7:30 pm

Montoya Center, 245 Thorpe Rd

We wish you all a joyous New Year. In winter with short days and long nights, when snow covers the high country, it may appear that all the watershed is at rest. It is a good time to to reflect on the hard work we have done to protect and restore the Rio, and to voice our concerns and hopes for the future of Flagstaff’s watershed.
Please join us on Thursday, January 2nd at the Montoya Center at 6:00-7:30 for our annual potluck! Meet members of the Board (if you haven’t already) and learn about our 2019 work on the Army Corps project and the Watershed Plan.  
Bring a friend and your favorite dish to share in this year’s feast

We will not be holding a regular meeting in December because the Montoya Center has closed the meeting rooms until January. We will hold our annual potluck on the first Thursday in January. Make sure to join us then for some good food and time to catch up with all that has been happening with the Rio.

Do you love the Rio, and want to help protect, restore, and improve it? Our long time board member Bryan Bates will be stepping down this year to run for County Supervisor, and we are looking for a few new board members. If you have a few hours a month and a desire to be involved, please talk to one of the board members during the potluck in January, or email Kathy Flaccus at kkflaccus@gmail.com.

Nov 7, 6:00 in the Montoya Center, 245 Thorpe Rd

Robert Wallace, Open Space Specialist

Join us on November 7 to hear Robert Wallace, the City’s Open Space specialist. He will be talking about the progress and plans for Picture Canyon, one of the jewels of the the Rio de Flag. Learn more about the wonderful places that Flagstaff has preserved all around town.

September 5 at the Montoya Center 245 N Thorpe Rd 6pm

The recent Museum Fire has brought quite a bit of attention to Spruce Avenue Wash, a stream that few in Flagstaff had heard about or even knew about prior to the fire. Spruce Avenue Wash is one of over a dozen washes that make up 88 miles of stream channel within the Flagstaff city limits. The watersheds of these washes vary from small urban drainages to the Rio de Flag that extents all the way to the top of the peaks. This presentation will provide a quick overview of the watersheds of Flagstaff including current and future work at the city to maintain and protect the watersheds and the challenges and threats to the stream courses. Hopefully the presentation will provide perspective, allowing the audience to understand the need and power of grassroots organizations like the Friends of the Rio.

Ed Schenk is a project manager with the City of Flagstaff’s Stormwater team. He has lived in Flagstaff for the last 4 years with additional hydrology and geology work at the Museum of Northern Arizona and the National Park Service. Ed was a research scientist with the USGS for the decade before moving to Arizona with river restoration experience in more than 10 states. He has a Master’s from Indiana University and over 30 publications on river, wetlands, and estuary ecosystem function. Last May Ed led a walk with the Friends of the Rio de Flag to the Cheshire Wetlands to look at the restoration potential of the Cheshire Pond.