Apr 3, 2024
Agaves have been an important plant for desert dwellers for thousands of years. In addition to being a dependable and nutritious food source, agaves are an excellent source of fiber for clothes, sandals, rope, and building materials. Agaves were a staple food source...
Mar 6, 2024
One of the greatest benefits of living in the Verde Valley is that it’s a place of intense beauty. Throughout my life, I have been overcome by the landscape and moved to tears. My grandfather, Ned Russell, served as Chairman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation and was a...
Feb 7, 2024
Did you know that the fastest land mammal in North America lives in our area? Pronghorns achieve speeds approaching 60 mph and they can maintain 40 mph for almost 2 miles. The only mammal faster in the world is the cheetah. Historically, there were hundreds of...
Jan 3, 2024
Advanced planning is vital for hikes, regardless of the planned duration, difficulty, or your level of hiking experience. Here are some tips and techniques to help successfully and safely navigate hiking trails. Before hitting the trail, thorough research and planning...
Dec 6, 2023
In the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, there is a little used trail called Bear Sign. Exactly how it got its name is unclear, but anyone hiking it can make a pretty good guess. Recently, a Friends of the Forest volunteer was hiking Bear Sign and found that...
Nov 1, 2023
Friends of the Forest Sedona is a 30-year old all-volunteer nonprofit. Members are dedicated to maintaining, protecting and restoring the scenic beauty of the National Forest lands in the greater Sedona area. By building a partnership with the Red Rock Ranger District...
Oct 4, 2023
What is that fuzzy or scaly stuff that grows on rocks, trees, and even soil in our area? It is probably a lichen. Since March of 2015, Friends of the Forest member, Garry Neil, with the assistance of Janie Agyagos, Wildlife Biologist for the US Forest Service, have...
Sep 6, 2023
Monitoring and caring for the wildlife, fish, and plants within the Coconino National Forest is more than a fulltime job. Red Rock Ranger District, Wildlife Biologist Janie Agyagos balances the needs of the forest by prioritizing projects and tapping into volunteers....
Aug 9, 2023
August 9th marks 79 years since the U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council partnered to create the living mascot that has become the worldwide symbol for wildfire prevention and education. We are celebrating Smokey’s birthday by talking about the kind of fire that even...
Jul 5, 2023
With just under 10,000 residents and over 3 million visitors per year, it is hard to preserve and protect the beauty of the Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest. Leave No Trace, an international nonprofit focused on using the power of science, education...
Jun 7, 2023
There are hundreds of trails in the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District. Keeping them in great condition takes a lot of people and more than just grooming the trails. Written graffiti, stickers and “artwork” cairns are a real problem. Friends of the...
May 3, 2023
Dogs and children are more at risk for heatstroke than adults. When it is 90 degrees outside in Sedona, it does not feel that bad, because it is dry heat. However, the ground temperatures are 140+ degrees. This radiant ground heat means that dogs and children...
