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...