Appreciation for Volunteers Supporting One Another

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...

Verde Valley Agaves Are Living Pre-Columbian Crops Farmed Long Ago

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...

Friends Recognize Recipient of President’s Award

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...

Sedona Friends of the Forest (FOF) Annual Meeting

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....

V Bar V Heritage Site

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...

Grafitti and Vandalism Destroy Our History

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,...

Formation of Trail Ambassador Program

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+...