Make a Difference Day October 19
Dr. Benjamin Ruddell “FloodAware, Citizen Science, and the Rio de Flag” Zoom meeting on June 4 at 6:00
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.
Spread the Word-Not the Weeds; Post-Museum Fire Treatment of Invasive Plants
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.
MNA Land Conservation
February 16, 2 pm
MNA Branger Chase Auditorium
Learn more about efforts to set aside 90 acres of MNA land through permanent conservation easements. So far, donors have been found to support the preservation of 36 acres, and the board members are actively seeking more conservation-minded donors for the remaining 54 acres. This public meeting will be held in the MNA Branigar-Chase Auditorium and is open to all.
With a commanding view of the San Francisco Peaks and the Dry Lake Hills, the nearly 90-acre tract of grasslands and ponderosa pine forest known as “Colton Meadows” has inherent value to people and wildlife. For many years, the MNA Board of Trustees has struggled with what to do with this property, which was bought in 1977 as an investment. While the land has an estimated market value of $3 million in Flagstaff’s current real estate market, the museum board and many members of the community feel the acreage has even more value as open space. The land is an important migration route for elk, a watershed, and is used by hikers, bikers and equestrians.
The board decided to pursue preserving the property by placing the land under conservation easements. In order to afford setting the land aside, MNA seeks donors willing to invest in preserving this land for our greater community.
So far, two donors have stepped forward, preserving parcels A and C. A binding conservation easement to protect the first 18-acres was signed on Oct. 4 and recorded with Coconino County. The easement prevents any building or tree clearing on the property. The only permitted uses are non-invasive research and trails, including specifically allowing for future trail improvements and easements for the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS).
The museum board is hopeful that now more donors will step forward to preserve the remaining 54 acres. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the board by sending an email to meadows@musnaz.org .
The Baseline Documentation Report can be viewed at: https://musnaz.org/wp-content/
uploads/2019/11/Parcel-C-
Baseline-Documentation-Report-07-25-19.pdf
Museum Fire Flood Mitigation talk
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.
Celebrate World Wetlands Day With Us
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!
Annual Potluck and Meeting
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
No member meeting in December
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.
Plans and Progress for Picture Canyon
Nov 7, 6:00 in the Montoya Center, 245 Thorpe Rd
Robert Wallace, Open Space Specialist
photo by Tom Bean
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.