50th Anniversay of the Wilderness Act Hikes in the Coconino National Forest

The Coconino National Forest will be hosting four hikes in local Wilderness areas every Sunday throughout the month of September. September 3rd 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the signing of   the Wilderness Act in 1964. This Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System,         outlining areas of public land that should be saved from development and human interference. These areas are left untouched for the enjoyment of the American people, with opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. Come out and enjoy the lasting effects of this great legacy!

Sunday, September 7 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Inner Basin Beauty.
Enjoy the mixed conifer forest, Basque aspen carvings and the beauty of the Peaks with USFS interpretive rangers in this high elevation, moderate to strenuous hike from Lockett Meadow to the Inner Basin.  Wear sturdy hiking shoes, carry water and bring lunch. Meet at the bottom of Lockett Meadow road to carpool up. For more information: 928-527-8283. 

Sunday, September 14 7:30 am-1:00 pm. Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Humphreys Saddle. Are you ready for a challenging wilderness hike with USFS Interpretive Rangers? This climb to Humphreys Saddle will begin at 9,200’ and end at 11,800’ and will be strenuous! Sturdy hiking shoes, food and water are essential. To be part of this uplifting experience, e-mail flaghiker@yahoo.com for more information.  

Sunday, September 21 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, Fire Tower Lookout.  Come out and hike to one of the highest points in northern AZ. Led by Wilderness Ranger Dutch Maatman and Interpretive Ranger Chelsea Schroeder. Uncover the    history of the area, including the 2000 Pumpkin Fire. End the hike at the fire lookout on the summit with spectacular views. Difficulty: Strenuous. Take Hwy 180 north and turn left onto FR 245. At end of rd. (3 miles) turn right onto FR 171.  Meet at Kendrick   Mountain Trailhead off of FR171. 928-527-8283.

Sunday, September 28 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Strawberry Crater Wilderness, More Than Meets the Eye. Moderate 2.5 miles over the exotic landscape of Strawberry Crater, one of the area’s     youngest volcanoes. Meet 16 miles north on Hwy 89 where FR 546 turns off east. High   clearance vehicles recommended. Bring water and snacks. 928-527-8283.

CMGA Fall Garden Clean-up Raffle

 

COCONINO MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION 2014 FALL YARD CLEAN-UP RAFFLE

Do you  get overwhelmed by autumn chores in the yard before a freeze occurs?  Would you like all those leaves or pine needles to disappear?  How about the spring bulbs you bought that are waiting to be planted?  Or the beautiful summer flowers that need to be cut back for winter?  CMGA is sponsoring a raffle fundraiser this summer to help with grants to local organizations wishing to develop, maintain, or beautify gardens.  Two lucky winners will get three hours of yard/garden work done by five master gardeners; that’s 15 hours of labor!   A load of aged horse manure is also available for delivery to the winners which can be spread by the workers.

Tickets are being sold for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20 by master gardeners.  The drawing will be held September 7 with the winners notified by phone.  Saturday, Oct. 4 is the scheduled work day with a bad weather date the following Saturday, Oct. 11.  This raffle is available to all city residents as well as Kachina Village, Mountainaire, TImberline/Fernwood, Doney Park, Fort Valley and Forest Highlands.

For more information and for tickets, call the Extension Office at 928-774-1868, ext. 190.  Thank you for supporting this fundraising event, and Good Luck!
 

Molly Larsen and Hattie Braun

ALL TICKET SOLD!

15th Annual Highlands Garden Conference

Harmony in the Highlands:

Gardening with Nature

 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Optional activities on October 24th

 

Prescott Resort & Conference Center

1500 State Route 69

Prescott, AZ

 

Come hear the usual great speakers for the conference, visit with many gardeners from high elevation areas, and just have fun. See attached link registration form for details. 



Grand Canyon Trust Workshop

Hi friends,

The monsoon season has been satisfying and as fall begins to show its face, we here at the Grand Canyon Trust are gearing up for a final workshop at our historic homestead. Please share with your networks.

Urban Land Stewardship Workshop

Last month many of you came out to help with and learn about composting science, weed management, and urban landscaping principles. Thank you! The native plants we planted are doing great, the paths are inviting, and the sunflowers keep on thriving! Our upcoming workshop will be Friday, September 5th, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, September 6th, 9 p.m. - 3 p.m.  We will be partnering with our friends at TerraBIRDS for another round of learning, planting, and landscaping! Click here to register for the workshop. Click here for a link to our location. If you are planning to come to both days, please register for both. 

Following our workshop, we will gather for a community BBQ potluck at the Homestead on Saturday, September 6th at 6 p.m. to celebrate our work and the mighty Colorado River during the week-long Colorado River Days event. Bring a dish and a story to share. Please RSVP if you will be attending this evening event.

Hope to see you - enjoy the rain!

Your friends at Grand Canyon Trust

Native Plant Walk at Willow Bend

MEDICINAL PLANTS WALK

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3, 5-6 PM

Learn about the traditional uses of plants in the native gardens that surround Willow Bend in the County's Sawmill Park. All experience levels are welcome. Ethnobotanist Mike Masek is offering this guided walk as a fundraiser for Willow Bend. Your generous donation is much appreciated.  Drop in at 5 pm when the walk begins.

Riordan Mansion Workdays

Forward from Dave Brimhall (brimhall.dave@gmail.com)
Good morning everyone!

 

Just wanted to Thank Charlotte one more time for her amazing leadership and vision on the Riordan Project.  Charlotte, you have become such a good friend and part of our community.

We will truly miss you.  Good luck in Sacramento and come back to visit us often!

I will be out of town the first two weeks of August so let me put out the schedule for the rest of the 2014 season.

 

Friday Aug 29th

Friday Sept 12th

Friday Sept 26th

Friday Oct 10th

Friday Oct 24th

We will meet at 9:30 and generally work until 1:30.  You are welcome to come for all or some of the time.  Any time you can give really helps.

I am unable to work at Riordan on Saturdays but anyone can go and help out at any time.  Just call me and I'll give you some ideas of things that need to be done.  699-3331

 

Thanks for all you do!

Dave

 Update from Dave 8/27

NPS/USFS Ranger Walks and Talks

Ranger Walks & Talks Event Calendar

August 27-31, 2015

NPS/USFS Ranger Partnership

Campground Programs

· Bonito Campground, Friday, August 28

7:30-8:15 pm. The Search for Dark Skies. Dark night skies allow us to connect with our universe in an incredible and humbling way, but stars are quickly disappearing from view all over the world! Join Ranger Kyle on a journey across Arizona, the United States, and Earth itself to find out where our starlight is going and how it affects us. Along the way, you'll discover some of the darkest and most beautiful skies our National Parks have to offer. At the campground amphitheater.

· Dairy Springs Campground, Saturday, August 29

3:00-3:45 pm. An Exploratory Nature Walk. A fun 45-minute nature walk with USFS volunteers Nancy and Steve Galas on the Dairy Springs Loop Trail. Discover the beauty of a ponderosa pine forest and a riparian habitat. No dogs please. Meet at the amphitheater.

· Pine Grove Campground, Saturday, August 29

7:30-8:15 pm. Hummingbirds of Arizona. Join NPS volunteer Rick Ruess to learn about the tiniest bird in North America and a  personal encounter in nature with a broad-tailed hummingbird. At the campground amphitheater.

August 2014 Meeting Minutes

Master Gardener Meeting Agenda 8/14/2014 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 1601 N. San Francisco

Continuing Education - Rachael Edelstein - Edible and Poisonous Northern Arizona wild mushrooms

Refreshments provided by Cheryl Bridgman and Hunter Kemmet

Raffle prize winner – Sherline Alexander

Business Meeting – Hunter Kemmet

Thanks to Charlotte Dodgson for her service as Vice President

Call for nominations - Elect new Vice President

Financial report – Linda Guarino/Crys Wells

In the month of July, there were $91 in income and $188.01 in expenditures.  The bank balance (not including PayPal figures) was $2,357.42 as of 8/14/14.

MG Coordinator Happenings - Hattie Braun

Master Gardener Recognition Picnic – need volunteer to organize picnic

Fund Raising

Garden Clean-up raffle – Molly Larson

Aprons and Garden Tours – Loni Shapiro – sold 6 aprons so far.

Calendars – Debi Stalvey – should be available by the October meeting.

Garden Tours – Debi Stalvey – need volunteers to look at your garden.  1^st on is this Saturday at 10:00am.  You get 1 education hour for attending this.  Host gets volunteer hours.

Continuing Education – Ed Skiba

October – Probuild/Juli Littou  Building an Inexpensive Greenhouse

November - Bees   Dr. Kristen Porter, NAU

December – Holiday Party

Community Markets – Andrea Guerrette

2 Wednesdays to sign-up.  Loni will send out a reminder.

MG Projects/Blog - Loni Shapiro

Donor tags; these are for gardens that have won grants.

Volunteer Support – Crys Wells

42 people reported hours in July.  495 volunteer and 65.5 education hours.  Year to date is 2009.75 volunteer and 365.5 education hours.  We are behind last year's totals at this point...2803 volunteer and 601 education hours total year to date as of the end of July 2013.  The totals for 2013 were 5063.75 volunteer and 903.25 education hours.

Next meeting: Sunday, September 7, 2014 MG Annual Picnic and Recognition BBQ, 4pm – 6pm at the Navajo Ramada at Fort Tuthill

 

Master Gardener Meeting Agenda 8/14/2014

Master Gardener Meeting Agenda 8/14/2014

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

1601 N. San Francisco

 

 6:30pm - 6:40pm             Welcome – Agenda – Hunter Kemmet
                                              Brief review of agenda for the evening               

 

 Announcements               Meeting Raffle – $1 each or 6 for $5 - Must be present to win
                                              Drawing will be held after refreshments and before the business meeting
                                              Prize:  A book ‘The Complete Book of Herbs’ and a Ginger Mint Plant

                                              Garden Clean-up raffle - Turn in sales during break to Molly Larson
                                              Aprons – See Loni Shapiro during break to purchase MG Apron
 

 6:40pm - 6:45pm             Introduction of speaker – Ed Skiba

 

 6:45pm - 7:45pm              Continuing Education
                                              Rachael Edelstein
                                              Edible and Poisonous Northern Arizona wild mushrooms

15 minute break 

 7:45pm - 8:00pm              Refreshments – Cheryl Bridgman and Hunter Kemmet
                                              and Raffle Prize Drawing  

Greywater Systems for the Homeowner Class

Hello fellow Flagstaff Plant People!

We are hosting another free class and need help spreading the word. Josh Robinson will be coming to town to teach a permaculture class at NAU, and he has also accepted our invitation to teach a class at our nursery while he is here.

Cheers,

Jen

Greywater Systems for the Homeowner
Wednesday, August 6, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed Nursery400 E Butler Ave
(928) 773-9406
Josh Robinson will teach us how to lessen our potable water use by harvesting greywater!
Simple, low cost, permit free systems. Demystifying greywater for the home owner.
No reservation required. Limited seating (plenty of standing room), so bring a lawn chair if you have one! Extra parking on Elden side street.

Here is a link to the event on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/286884654817753/