Protecting Sensitive Agave Populations

Think about the curiosity and awe that come with visiting a Native American cultural site, for example, petroglyphs and pictographs, or a historic dwelling where one can learn about and imagine what life was like for humans many hundreds of years ago. Interestingly,...

Recollections from Friends of the Forest Volunteers

Most people understand that being a volunteer means you are freely offering your time, talent, or labor to benefit a cause, community, or others without expecting financial compensation. People volunteer for a multitude of reasons, and everyone has a different...

Volunteer Crew Improves Sedona’s Trails

When hiking on Sedona-area trails, you are likely focused on taking one step and then the next and at times viewing the remarkable surroundings. But much goes on behind the scenes that we often aren’t aware of, to keep these trails in shape and to create new ones that...

Don’t Become a Statistic

The line between Spring and Summer in Northern Arizona is never well-defined. One day, air conditioning is a necessity, and the next day requires the full force of a furnace. The extreme shifts in temperature may catch outdoor recreationists by surprise. From a hiking...

The Rewarding Life of a Friends of the Forest Trail Ambassador

The morning sun hits the sandstone spire of Bell Rock, casting a long, cool shadow across the trailhead. For most people, this view signals the start of a vacation adventure or a quick morning workout. But for a Friends of the Forest Trail Ambassador, it marks a...

Educational Events a Great Perk for Friends of the Forest Volunteers

On a recent January morning, 11 volunteers with the Friends of the Forest Trail Ambassador Committee had the pleasure of joining leader Barry Mallis for an educational geology hike. This was one of numerous educational events the organization offers for its members to...