Feb 2, 2021
It is not only visitors to the American West who can be confused by the multitude of categories of public lands: National Park, National Forest, National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, Wilderness Area, Wildlife Refuge, Recreation Area and more. More than half of...
Dec 1, 2020
A digital sign board greets visitors and residents traveling Highway 179 toward the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona, prominently stating: “YOUR PUBLIC LANDS, YOUR HERITAGE, RECREATE WITH RESPECT.” These words are embedded in the Leave No Trace philosophy we are...
Nov 3, 2020
The V-Bar-V Petroglyph site south of the Village of Oak Creek is one of the most spectacular cultural resources in all of Arizona, and perhaps in the entire Southwest. It recently reopened to the public after having been closed due to the pandemic. For the past 5...
Oct 6, 2020
The 500 miles of trails in the Red Rock Ranger District have provided a welcome outlet for distanced recreation and replenishing our spirits during the past seven months. Some trail users are noticing that their favorite routes need a bit of attention since the trail...
Sep 2, 2020
A recent routine check of a fencing exclosure in the Buckskin Hills area near Camp Verde led to excitement and a flurry of activity within the wildlife biology community. The exclosures are designed to protect riparian or other sensitive areas from livestock damage...
Aug 5, 2020
Sedona Friends of the Forest volunteers generally find plenty to stay busy within the Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest. Although most activities are currently suspended during the national health emergency, a typical busy season occupies scores of...
Jul 1, 2020
Among the many local events forfeited during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” weeks was an annual event unique to the Coconino Nation Forest Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD). Since 2016, the first two weeks of May have been designated as Lichen Appreciation Week at the...
Jun 3, 2020
It is not unusual for active residents and retirees in Sedona and Verde Valley communities to come across one another in multiple volunteer organizations and activity groups. The cross-feed between Friends of the Forest and the Verde Search and Rescue Posse dates to...
