The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most colorful falcon. Many adore kestrels for their lovely plumage and big personality. Unfortunately, this historically common little falcon has become a rare sight in many regions of North America, where...
On a crisp November day, a cadre of Red Rock Ranger District personnel served up a tasty Dutch oven meal to an eager gathering of men and women. The occasion was the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic hosted by District Ranger Amy Tinderholt and more than a dozen...
Sedona’s Friends of the Forest (FOF) will be hosting a welcome event on Thursday September 22 starting at 2:00 pm at 360 Brewer Road in Sedona. We invite everyone to attend, particularly new residents who are looking for rewarding volunteer opportunities. If you...
In November 2021, the Sedona Red Rock News reported on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designation of stretches of upper Oak Creek and the upper Verde River as critical habitat for the threatened narrow-headed gartersnake. Well before that designation, the Red Rock...
Living in these beautiful red rocks makes me want to keep it exactly the same as it is so that I can continue to enjoy our surrounding National Forest year after year. However, I am only one person and cannot sustain our public lands by myself. Fortunately, I have...
A small cadre of volunteers gathered on a chilly December morning outside the Red Rock Ranger District Headquarters. These volunteer community scientists were preparing to join an agave inventory effort underway in the Verde Valley. District Wildlife Biologist, Janie...
Last month’s article spotlighted many of the volunteer awards presented at the Friends of the Forest annual meeting. This month we are featuring the recipient of the prestigious President’s Award. The President’s Award is an award of special recognition to a member...
On November 6th the Sedona Friends of the Forest (FOF) held their Annual Meeting which included recognizing outstanding volunteers. Because the organization was unable to hold their Annual Meeting in 2020, some awards encompassed more than a single year of service....
The largest known “rock art” site in the Verde Valley is the V Bar V Heritage Site. Located just a few miles south of Sedona, the petroglyphs are on the grounds of the old V Bar V Ranch. This protected site, managed by the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino...
I suppose graffiti has existed even before the building of the Egyptian pyramids. In the millennia following, these writings served to tell a story, provide information about the location of water, indicate directions, warnings about enemies, crop planting schedules,...
Last year the Friends received a call from the Red Rock Ranger District asking for volunteers to assist staff on a special project to help visitors to Bell and Bruce Brockett Trails avoid heat related injuries. With record breaking number of days exceeding 100+...
