Picking up other people’s trash isn’t all drudgery…

Picking up other people’s trash isn’t all drudgery. Stewards of Public Lands hospitality director Debbie LaFrance and Verde River Citizens Alliance member Margaret Thede stir up a little fun by parading with a discarded sign they found near Fossil Creek during a cleanup. Stewards seek volunteers for a Middle Verde cleanup on Saturday, June 10 from 8 a.m. to noon. This is a collaborative effort among the Stewards, town of Camp Verde, Camp Verde Kiwanis, Verde Natural Resource Conservation District and the Coconino National Forest.

 Stewards of Public Lands Plan

Middle Verde Cleanup June 10 

    Stewards of Public Lands plan a Middle Verde project cooperating with the town of Camp Verde, Camp Verde Kiwanis and the Verde Natural Resource Conservation District. the Stewards will work in the Middle Verde Arena Del Lomas area from 8 a.m. until noon. Project planner Jodi Allen is organizing a Stewards’ hot dog barbecue at Butler Park in Camp Verde to top off the day.

     Directions to the Arena Del Lomas Middle Verde project are: Take I-17 to the Middle Verde exit, also known as the Casino exit. Drive north (opposite direction of Cliff Castle Casino) ½ mile to Arena Del Lomas on the left. Follow the signs.

     Volunteers, please wear long sleeved shirts and long pants. Bring gloves, eye protection, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, drinking water, and cleanup tools including a rake, hoe, shovel, and grabbers. Pickups are always helpful.

     The Stewards of Public Lands are committed to maintaining public lands clean of illegally dumped trash and litter so valuable land resources may be safely enjoyed by everyone.

     Goals are to provide significant volunteer effort and coordinate with local businesses, municipalities, Yavapai County and state and federal land management organizations to make area cleanups successful and affordable. Stewards work with law enforcement to deter further dumping by posting signs that state dumping is illegal. Phone numbers are provided so community police departments or the Yavapai County Sheriff may be contacted if illegal dumping is observed.

     The Stewards work to set a good example for fellow community members. Many residents do not understand that a carelessly tossed aluminum can or plastic six-pack holder could take from 80 to 100 years to disintegrate, according to the Verde NRCD. "The activist is not the person who says the lands are trashy, the activist is the person who cleans up the lands," states Stewards Co-chair Diane Joens.

     More than 40 community volunteers participated in the Stewards’ Fossil Creek cleanup in May, including assistance from Sedona’s Friends of the Forest, Gardenscapes, Montezuma and Tuzigoot National Parks, Verde River Citizens Alliance, Yavapai County Community Services and the Prescott and Coconino National Forests.

     Other partners include Arizona Game and Fish, Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Chip Davis, Arid Disposal, Camp Verde Kiwanis, Flag Rental and Sales, Quintus, Camp Verde Bugle, Verde Independent, Yavapai Broadcasting, Camp Verde Journal and Cottonwood Journal Extra. Also assisting Stewards’ activities are the city of Cottonwood and town of Clarkdale, Clarkdale and Cottonwood Police Departments, Camp Verde Marshall’s Office, Yavapai County Sheriff and Tazco Recycling. The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival with Arizona State Parks have donated bottled water for cleanups.

     Volunteers with questions about the Saturday cleanup may contact Co-chair Diane Joens, 634-4112, or project planner Jodi Allen, 567-3107. Information is available on the Web site at www.verdeconnections.com.

Link to Poster for June 10 Cleanup

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

During the February 11 Bill Gray Road cleanup, Charles Mackey reports that he and Pat Haynie were still working at 6:30 p.m. Beside Bill Gray, they cleaned up West Mingus Avenue and Old 279, too. Charles claims that Chief Haynie’s motto is, "We shall empty no truck before its time.”

 BEAUTIFUL

 FOSSIL CREEK

 

 

Fossil Creek Photo Album Available

on the Web:

 

 Fossil Creek Photo Album Page

 

HOT DIGGITY DOG!

 Middle Verde Project Planner Jodi Allen is organizing a Stewards’ hot dog bar-becue at Butler Park in Camp Verde to top off the day Saturday, June 10. Phone for questions, 567-3107.

THANK YOU JODI !

Verde District Ranger Dee Hines, Camp Verde Mayor Tony Gioia, Montezuma and Tuzigoot National Park Supervisor Kathy Davis and Stewards Project Planner Jodi Allen get ready to work at Fossil Creek.

Fossil Creek Cleanup Great Success!

 More than 40 community volunteers participated in the Stewards’ Fossil Creek cleanup in May, including assistance from Sedona’s Friends of the Forest, Gardenscapes, Montezuma and Tuzigoot National Parks, Verde River Citizens Alliance, Yavapai County Community Services and the Prescott and Coconino National Forests.

List of May 13 Fossil Creek Volunteers:

Volunteers who signed in were Loyd Barnett, Joyce Killebrew, Kathy Davis, Bruce George, Tony Gioia, Lynda Zanolli, Chuck Jenkins, Ginger and John Scarcella, Margaret Thede, Wally Coates, Jim Sweitzer, Colleen and Steve Harbison of Gardenscapes, Debbie LaFrance, Bev Sass, Pat George, Rick Blanton, Warren Dendekker, Charles Mackey, Diane Joens, Jodi Allen, Walt and Mary Kaulfuss, Jim Worthington, Roy Buck, Ken Zoll, Betsy Cook, Babe A. Daley and Roy Hess. The Prescott and Coconino National Forests furnished several staff members, and Walter Thomas, Supervisor of the Yavapai County Adult Community Services, brought a crew of workers.

Photo

by Charles Mackey

This photo was taken on Saturday April 22, 2006 during the removal of an old car from Sheepshead Canyon off the Oak Creek Valley Road. Stewards would like to thank Malcolm and Charles Mackey and Pat Haynie for their efforts to make this happen.