“I didn’t see anyone doing it, so I felt like it needed to happen,” said Colin Denny, who provided a sign language performance at this year’s Superbowl. “We need someone to take the reins to make changes in a positive way and give back to the community.”
Denny is referring to the preservation of North American Indian Sign Language, which was the topic of a presentation at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff on March 24. More than 40 people attended the presentation.
A resilient forest needs a little less tension
We know how hard winter was for us. How was it for the trees? How do our forests and their complicated, interconnected, life-giving ecosystems react to the sun, the wind, the drought, the rain, the cold? For Earth Day, creative writing professor Nicole Walker, who authored Sustainability: A Love Story and dozens of articles and essays on nature, reflects on the complicated relationships that exist in a forest ecosystem and how the smallest processes and organisms keep the largest trees—and all the rest of us—alive.
COCONINO COUNTY —
In recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — in partnership with Fredonia Elementary School, Puente de Hozho in Flagstaff and the Page Unified School District — is presenting the series “Community Healing Change — Training, Meal & Discussion” in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
You can register to attend the live viewing parties where food, discussion and prizes are available.
A dozen parents and community members attended the Fredonia training on April 17, with a second training session held on April 18 at Puente de Hozho in Flagstaff.
The Page training will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the PUSD boardroom, 500 S. Navajo Drive, Page. Register with Penni Case at pcase@pageud.org
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The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites you celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 by putting your waste in the right place at the Drop Off Event at the Flagstaff Police Department, and then join us for live music, food, workshops, and more at Bushmaster Park.
On April 11, 2023, Coconino County Chair Patrice Horstman and District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, joined eleven tribal leaders of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, alongside Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), to launch an effort to call on President Joe Biden to use his authorities under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.
The Monument designation would protect 1,102,501 acres adjacent to the Grand Canyon by making the current 20-year moratorium on mining permanent across the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon region.
COCONINO COUNTY — The City of Flagstaff proclaimed April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month on during an official ceremony attended by members of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth on April 4 at the Flagstaff City Council chambers.
The proclamation was presented by Mayor Becky Daggett to CCC&Y Board members Heather Marcy, Deputy Director, Northland Family Help Center; Laura Rosensweet, M.Ed, Community Impact Manager, Education Forward AZ; Jacelyn Salabye, MSW, Native Americans for Community Action; with CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie attending via Zoom.
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At their regular meeting on April 11, 2023, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously approved a proclamation designating April 2023 as Earth Month in Coconino County.
“Coconino County affirms that all that inhabit the Earth have a right to a healthy, sustainable environment,” the proclamation reads. “… as humans we are caretakers of the planet, and have an obligation to change human behaviors that contribute to climate change and environmental degradation and work to preserve the Earth’s beauty and its resources.”
President José Luis Cruz Rivera recognized and honored outstanding students at NAU with the President’s Prize, Gold Axe and Distinguished Senior awards. The ceremony, held on April 10, celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of students selected from a pool of applicants representing different colleges. NAU honored 50 Gold Axe winners, including five President’s Prize winners—the highest honor awarded to undergraduate students. Additionally, nine students were honored as Distinguished Seniors of their colleges.
In this Edition…
Message from Jeronimo
Preparation, Prevention, and Information: Our Surrounding
Environment
District 2 Highlights
Special Spotlight: Areina Contreras
Service Positions & Job Listings
Services and Programs
Community Events & Resources
And more!
Fair Book
The digital Fair Book is here!
The 2023 Fair Book is now available online!
It’s time to start prepping your exhibits for this year’s Coconino County Fair!
Printed books will be available at the Fairgrounds and distributed around the County early this month.
COCONINO COUNTY —
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth was one of four organizations in Arizona to be selected this year for the Vitalyst Health Foundation’s System Change Grant.
We will receive $175,000 over three years to develop, in conjunction with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County, a mental model change ensuring trauma-informed and resilience information is understood at City and County levels and enacted as policy change. The goal is to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes and provider and staff wellness.
Join us at the Flagstaff Aquaplex on Friday, April 7th from 7 a.m. to noon. Open to the public, the health fair features free health screenings, fitness advice, health insurance and wellness information, healthy snacks from local businesses and much more.
Since 1995, the first full week of April has been recognized as National Public Health Week (NPHW) to champion the health of all Americans.
Locally, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) recognized this observance and proclaimed the week of April 3 – 9 as Public Health Week in Coconino County.
During this week, we celebrate the efforts of public health and social services professionals, their achievements, and the impact they make on the wellbeing of all. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS), whose Mission is: empowering people, confronting inequities, influencing policy, and bettering lives, is at the forefront of this important work.
At their regular meeting on April 4, 2023, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proclamation designating April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Coconino County.
April 2023 is the 22nd year that Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been nationally recognized, but its history goes back to the fight against race- and gender-based violence of the mid-20th century. This social activism increased awareness for sexual assault and directed public focus toward supporting survivors. It also culminated in survivor-focused legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, passed in 1993.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College student Justin Martinez has family members who have suffered from depression their entire lives.
“I really want to help people,” he said. “Particularly men who don’t normally ask for help.”
So, Martinez, a first-generation college student, decided to study Psychology at CCC, and as a CCC2NAU student, he plans to continue his studies at NAU to become a licensed therapist.
Originally from New Mexico, Martinez moved as a child with his family to the Phoenix area. While he attended Thunderbird High School as a teen, he became interested in the idea of college.
“I wanted to gain skills, so I decided to explore my options with community college,” he said, adding that he really didn’t know what he wanted to do at the time, and because community college was more affordable, he felt it would be a better place for him to begin to explore what he might want to do for a career.
He chose CCC.
COCONINO COUNTY — Ninety Arizona cities and towns and all 15 Arizona counties signed onto a framework in August 2021 called the One Arizona Memorandum of Understanding, now known as the One Arizona Agreement.
The current settlement involves opioid distributors McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., and AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson-Janssen, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen, and Janssen.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Public Works will reopen the Willard Springs Green Waste Site on Saturday, April 1, 2023 for free green waste-only disposal all season long to support residents’ efforts to clean up their properties for wildfire season.
Residents will be allowed to dump acceptable green waste such as pine needles, branches, leaves, and brush free of charge with no load limits on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through the end of the season on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
As the Bioscience Roadmap enters its third decade, we hope you will join us next month for the annual update on the growth and progress of Arizona’s bioscience sector.
The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan more than two decades ago, will be hosting the free Zoom session from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. You can register to attend HERE.
The event will feature presentations by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero on the capacity of municipalities to drive growth in this sector.
Mom, mental-health advocate, and self-described vintage curator, Callee Torrey is no stranger to the art of juggling. This mama can now add marathon runner to her title. Even more impressive, running the 26.2 miles for the first time all the while having to balance breastfeeding her baby. She literally stopped at mile 13.1 to breastfeed her baby and still managed a respectable time of (6:02) hours. She is unstoppable. This month’s HERstory is a celebration of motherhood and a testament to the strength and resilience of women.
COCONINO COUNTY —
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth provides a variety of free online training programs for parents, caregivers and all community members.
Our free Thriving Families webinar is a great starting place for parents, caregivers and community members brand new to the topics such as brain development, adverse childhood experiences, resilience and mindfulness. It is a great jumping off place to go deeper in knowledge and support through the rest of our library of webinars.
With thousands of views across our various topics, we are sure there is something for all community members and professionals. Whether you are seeking the best info for your family, your community or a program you work for, get a taste for our research supported prevention and community work.
Stress Management
Monday, April 3 and 17
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join a discussion about the neuroscience of trauma- and stressor- related disorders, and adaptive interventions. Zoom option available.
Stress Management – Learn more and register!
Rockfall frequency increases; flash flood warnings remains in effect throughout Northern Arizona
Recent storm impacts have created near impassable road conditions throughout much of Coconino County, especially in flooded roadways adjacent to creeks. Although these areas are limited within park boundaries, please be aware of the increased likelihood of rockfall and flash flood activity within the inner canyon as temperatures rise and active snowmelt occurs.
This week there were three reported sizeable rockfalls along the Bright Angel Trail reported by staff at the Backcountry Information Center. The trail remains passable to hikers. It is likely these events will occur on a routine basis in the coming weeks/months.
If you observe an active rockfall along a trail, please notify Grand Canyon dispatch as soon as possible at 928-638-7805. If you have a camera or phone, photos of the rockfall can be helpful to staff on Trails and the Backcountry Information Center.
For a more comprehensive list of backcountry trail updates, visit our park website here.
CCC&Y shares this free online opportunity to ease some of the daily stress during this busy time of year.
Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.
First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.
Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One
Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two
These videos are meant to help support our community. Having the tools to take care of ourselves and respond to children, is a great resource.
March is Women’s History Month, and HECHO honors the leadership and contributions of women in conservation. Elevating their voices is essential to our mission. From Indigenous women in Oak Flat fighting for environmental justice and Latinas working in the wilderness to safeguard wildlife for future generations to many other female conservationists are an example of courage, resiliency, and strength.
Here are their stories and other important news about our efforts across the Southwest.
Sincerely,
Camilla
What sustainable freshwater management looks like in Arizona
World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on March 22. The day highlights the importance of freshwater and the need for sustainable management of freshwater resources—a pressing issue for all. Abe Springer, professor of ecohydrogeology in the School of Earth and Sustainability, shared his expertise with The NAU Review, giving insights on the critical importance of sustainable freshwater management and why it is essential to ensure a healthy future for our planet.
Read the blog
Grand Canyon Trails Update and Flash Flood Safety
Possible flash flood and rockfall activity this week and throughout the next month
Increased precipitation and seasonal snow-melt may lead to enhanced flood risk along creek drainages in the inner canyon. Backpackers and hikers should be especially aware of elevated flows in rivers, creeks, washes, and low water crossings. Low water crossings may become impassable due to flooding or flood damage.
To CCC&Y members and participants,
In lieu of taking individual positions on bills this year: CCC&Y has had a voice at the table for many advocacy positions that support our partners and others to advocate for the well-being of children and families in our State. We also continue sharing action alerts and updates from our trusted partners so that you can stay informed and utilize the Request to Speak system to show your support or opposition.
Many of the bills are evolving so quickly that an organization with our limited resources would risk doing you an injustice by taking a formal position that may need to change multiple times in this current climate. However, please know we are at the table and will continue to voice concerns and support during this session.
The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing for a multi-year $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) and related upgrades to the associated water delivery system within the inner canyon and South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This critical investment will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for the next 50 plus years, supporting 6 million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents.
Initial activity in late spring and summer 2023 will focus on establishing construction infrastructure and staging areas in the Grand Canyon Village Area on the park’s South Rim. The NPS does not anticipate restrictions or closures in 2023 that would impact visitors. The TCWL replacement is projected for completion in 2027.
Steve Peru became Coconino County Manager for a second time in 2021. He was originally hired by the County after graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1979 and had a storied 32-year career that culminated in becoming County Manager in 2006. He retired in 2011 and went on to positions at W.L. Gore & Associates, United Way of Northern Arizona and Coconino Community College before returning to County Government in 2021. Below is an excerpt from our recent interview with him. You can see the full conversation here.
The women who shaped us
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and it has been a global celebration since 1911, recognizing the many contributions women have made to society. To honor the day, The NAU Review asked the women of NAU to reflect on a historical female figure who inspired them. From trailblazers like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and visionary writers like Octavia Butler to other figures with whom you may not be familiar—this is a list you don’t want to miss. And despite their different influences, these historical figures all have one thing in common—they fully embody and represent the month’s themes, whether it be environmental consciousness, cultural influences, equal representation, self-identity or equity. Their stories remind us that we’re all in this together, fighting for gender equality and celebrating the countless ways women have shaped our world.
Read the story
A coalition of cities and counties in the Western United States has awarded $389k in funding to four projects that fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the production of concrete. The 4 Corners Carbon Coalition — a partnership of Boulder County, CO, Flagstaff, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT, and Santa Fe, NM — pools resources to provide grants to accelerate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project deployment and business development in the Four Corners region.
COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
CCC&Y is building an inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities.
Through leadership, education and advocacy. By becoming a member you add your name to an expansive list of individuals, families, businesses and organizations who are igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Please visit Membership Options
Make an Online Donation
Remember, CCC&Y is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status-so your contributions are tax deductible eligible. Please consult your tax professional.
Join Flagstaff College and Friends of Flagstaff’s Future on Wednesday evenings in March. We’re showing four inspiring documentaries on ways to create the world we want to live in.
Significant snowfall and resulting snow loads have caused several roofs to collapse within the Flagstaff area. The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County are encouraging residents to check structures for signs of damage or stress. These signs can include:
Sagging ceiling tiles or boards, ceiling boards falling out of the ceiling grid, and/or sagging sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads
Sprinkler heads deflecting below suspended ceilings
Popping, cracking, and creaking noises
Sagging roof members, including metal decking or plywood sheathing
Bowing truss bottom chords or web members
Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed
Cracked or split wood members
Cracks in walls or masonry
Severe roof leaks
Excessive accumulation of water at nondrainage locations on low slope roofs
Remember DART, NASA’s attempt to redirect an asteroid? Results are in. It worked.
After ramming a spacecraft into a small asteroid last fall, researchers knew almost immediately that the mission had worked—that the impact changed the asteroid’s orbit. A new study authored by Cristina Thomas found that the orbit changed by a whopping 33 minutes, suggesting that the momentum of the ejected material was a significant contributor to the change. The study is published in Nature alongside three other articles detailing findings from this groundbreaking NASA mission.
At this week’s special session of the Flood Control District Board of Directors they approved acceptance of two new Federal grants that will enable the District to immediately proceed with the first phase of long-term flood mitigation projects.
The Schultz-Pipeline Flood Area is defined as the neighborhoods downstream of nine major watersheds damaged by the Schultz Wildfire in 2010 and the Pipeline Wildfire this past year. The District, along with several engineering partners, have determined that without extensive on-forest and neighborhood mitigation measures, the risk of life-threatening floods affecting our communities will only increase.
“The priority of local government is the health and safety of our citizens, and our citizens’ lives and homes were severely impacted this past monsoon season by the nine watersheds compromised by two major wildfires,” said Chair of the Board Patrice Horstman. “We want to thank Senators Kelly and Sinema and former Congressman Tom O’Halleran for their strong support with securing this unprecedented funding. Without it, the District and County would have likely had to cut other services to provide flood mitigation.”
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth (CCC&Y), sees you! We see all the ways you support folks in your neighborhood and our community! You are helping to “bring back the village,” and you’re doing great!
Let’s face it, life can be challenging, and too often, we are collectively stressed. Stress is normalized. We can acknowledge that some stress is good for us, keeping us thinking and maybe even providing us a boost to take necessary action. However, maintaining health requires that we offer ourselves opportunities to decompress. CCC&Y hopes you gift yourself with time to reconnect with yourself and those closest to you.
During this winter season, CCC&Y invites you to cozy up with some tea and a warm blanket and take a few mindful moments to recognize and honor your inner self and notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. (“Mindfulness for Parents and Professionals”). If our opportunity for Mindfulness feels supportive to you, we invite you to share it with others.
In This Issue:
The Proposed Hospital Relocation
Action Alert: Urge the City to Stop Banking with Wells Fargo
“Big Shift” Funding and Personnel Priorities
Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045
Action Alert: Beulah & University Realignment Project Open House
In Memoriam: Freda Van Houten
F3 hit the ground running in January and there’s a lot to report to our members. This newsletter contains important information, updates, and opportunities for community action.
Highway 67…plowed?!
Last week, North and South Rim Road Crew staff successfully plowed 30 miles of Highway 67, from Jacob Lake to the North Rim boundary, for administrative use. A team of three including John Venn, Brandon Alberta, and John Root completed the operation over the course of one week.
The primary objective of road clearing was to provide for a diesel fuel supply for the back-up generators on the North Rim. After a series of powerful snow storms this winter that knocked out power service, this backup fuel source is critical to support the staff and continuity of operations. Additional objectives included the ability to provide emergency ingress/egress to and from the North Rim, as well as improving safety for residents by allowing administrative traffic in motor vehicles instead of snowmobiles.
Thank you to the North Rim staff who continue to weather repeated storms and impressive snow removal operations!
With many Arizona Public Service (APS) customers in Coconino County without power due to high winds and downed trees, the American Red Cross has opened a warming station in Flagstaff at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E Butler Ave in Flagstaff.
People needing to utilize the station may bring a bag or backpack of personal items; pets are allowed only with dog kennels or cat carriers, and owners must provide pet food.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting three to four Winter storm systems to affect much of Coconino County from Tuesday night through Sunday. These systems are predicted be more impactful than recent storms in Northern Arizona.
On September 21, 2022, Coconino County announced that updated digital flood hazard maps for the portion of Oak Creek Canyon in Coconino County would become effective March 21, 2023.
The flood maps are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). They show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in Coconino County’s portion of Oak Creek Canyon are at risk for flooding. These flood maps are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. They replace maps that were based on studies more than 30 years old. Note that the flood maps for the portion of Oak Creek Canyon in Yavapai County are still being finalized.
Cultural Demonstrator this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18, and 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by and meet Zuni fine art painter, Anthony Gchachu. He will discuss how he conceptualizes and executes his paintings.
Watch him work and learn how Zuni culture and art have influenced his unique painting style that uses layered acrylic paints to create texture, depth and movement to generate emotions.
This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.
At their February 6, 2023 special session, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Fort Tuthill County Park Management Plan.
In the fall of 2022, the public was able to provide comment on the draft of the Fort Tuthill County Park Management Plan, which were factored into the final draft. The plan’s table of contents include the natural environment of the park, cultural resources and history, public use and facilities, and long-range planning. These topics address issues as varied as dark skies, weed control, emergency use, water conservation, preserving open spaces from damage, and preserving historic structures.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth provides a variety of free online training programs for parents, caregivers and all community members.
Our free Thriving Families webinar is a great starting place for parents, caregivers and community members brand new to the topics such as brain development, adverse childhood experiences, resilience and mindfulness. It is a great jumping off place to go deeper in knowledge and support through the rest of our library of webinars.
With thousands of views across our various topics, we are sure there is something for all community members and professionals. Whether you are seeking the best info for your family, your community or a program you work for, get a taste for our research supported prevention and community work.
COCONINO COUNTY — A Coconino County delegation this week presented long-term plans for flood mitigation and forest restoration to several of Arizona’s representatives in Congress and their staff.
“Our delegation to Washington D.C. had a very productive day of meetings. Supervisors Begay and Vasquez and County Flood Control District management presented Coconino County’s immediate and long-term plans for flood mitigation and forest restoration to several of Arizona’s representatives in Congress and their staff,” county officials reported.
‘Something you can use in the real world’
Maliya Peyketewa, a freshman at Greyhills Academy High School in Tuba City, wants to become an app and web developer when she gets older. A virtual after-school coding course offered to STEM students at her school and taught by NAU volunteers is helping her learn one of the computer languages she can use to get there.
COCONINO COUNTY —
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth is focused on root causes and systemic solutions, proactively and boldly taking on challenges with an innovative and inclusive mindset.
We do this by bringing together informed and energized community members to solve problems, impact policy and create solutions that allow every person to realize their full potential.
Click here or on image above to see the full video and learn more about us.
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United Way of Northern Arizona will be administering $700,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on behalf of the City of Flagstaff to benefit nonprofits recovering from challenges due to Covid-19.
The funds are intended to assist organizations working in Flagstaff that had an increased demand for services or suffered declines in fees or donations due to the pandemic.
There are three different categories that make up the funds:
The City of Flagstaff invites artists, individuals, community groups, schools and local businesses to apply for a Beautification in Action (BIA) grant. Applications will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m. Up to $4,500 is available per project.
Specific projects that beautify and revitalize the urban environment can take the form of community gardens, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures, murals, mosaics and more. Priority will be given to community-driven efforts that provide a lasting benefit, such as building neighborhood relationships, fostering a sense of ownership and pride, inspiring playfulness, and greening the environment.
This week, the National Park Service (NPS) released details on 2023 investments that will improve access and facilities across the country, enhance climate and fire resilience, and further connect people with their national parks.
In the coming years, NPS and federal partners will make investments that will support Grand Canyon’s Shuttle Bus Maintenance Facility, Bus Fleet Replacement and Charging Infrastructure project.
The project aligns with the sustainability and climate change goals of converting the federal fleet to zero emission vehicles. It consists of acquiring 10 new battery electric buses (BEB) and 20 new near-zero emission compressed natural gas buses (CNG) to replace the aging fleet; installing charging infrastructure to support the electric buses, including a solar parking canopy; and replacing an obsolete and undersized vehicle maintenance facility.
The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office, in partnership with Coconino National Forest and Coconino County, is hosting a Winter Snow Play Clean Up on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the corner of JW Powell Blvd and S. Lone Tree.
Members of the public are invited to help clean up trash, debris, and broken sled pieces from popular snow play areas with the Winter Snow Play Stewards to help keep our community’s play areas safe and clean.
Registration for the City of Flagstaff’s Youth Climate Action Challenge is now open! As part of this year’s event, three unique challenges are open to teams of 4th – 12th graders. Students can participate by implementing a climate action project in their community or by designing wind turbines and solar-powered structures to exhibit their knowledge in renewable energy. The challenges are an opportunity to develop leadership experience and illustrate local climate solutions. Now is the time for students to build their team, register, and demonstrate their leadership in climate action.
At the January 24, 2023 special meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Board viewed a presentation and provided direction in crafting a new ordinance regulating short-term rental properties in the county.
A new Arizona state law, enacted by the State Legislature in 2022 gives local governments the legal authority to regulate short-term rental properties within their jurisdictions.
The Board has acknowledged through public input that short-term rental properties have both positive and negative impacts on our communities and requested the County’s Community Development Department and the County Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance specific to Coconino County’s unincorporated communities and neighborhoods.
A recently completed United Way of Northern Arizona report on building capacity to help UWNA better address critical needs in Navajo and Apache counties has identified substance abuse/mental health issues, affordable childcare and afterschool programs, and creating a skilled workforce as top priorities for the northeast region.
UWNA retained Phoenix Philanthropy Group to create the report, which was based on interviews with nonprofit leaders, elected officials, economic development directors, healthcare and education professionals, as well as current and past members of the UWNA Board of Directors.
Winter safety tips!
South Entrance Station
We have received multiple reports of park employees and/or residents driving through the south entrance station without stopping. As a reminder, when the bypass lane is closed or inaccessible due to snow, all vehicles are required to come to a full and complete stop when driving through any of the lanes of the entrance station. A failure to stop is not only hazardous but could result in a serious accident to employees who routinely move between booths.
Parking – Safety Concern
Please do not park vehicles on roadways.
Vehicles parked inappropriately compound already hazardous conditions and they impede the plowing of roadways.
Please use designated parking areas.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the establishment of a new Flood Control District (District) Grant Match Fund at its meeting on January 24, 2023.
In late 2022, Congress approved $50 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to engineer and construct flood mitigation measures in the neighborhoods impacted by post-wildfire flooding from the Pipeline Fire.
The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) of the Coconino National Forest is considering fire restriction changes that would limit camping, campfires, and motorized vehicle use in strategic areas during certain times of the year when catastrophic wildfire risk is high to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires.
Proposed changes to fire restrictions would increase the boundaries of the existing year-round camping and campfire ban located adjacent to the City of Flagstaff. They would also forbid the use of motorized vehicles in areas around the San Francisco Peaks, Walnut Canyon, and Pumphouse Wash during Stage 2 fire restrictions. These areas have rough terrain and topography that increase wind speeds, which can limit firefighter ability to suppress wildfire starts. The areas under consideration would still be open for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use during Stage 2 fire restrictions.
As we enter 2023, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth continues to connect families and community members with a number of options, including free educational resources, city resource guides, calendars of upcoming family events and a variety of programs offered by our more than 100 individual and nonprofit members.
Lights, camera, SCALPEL!
When the stage lights and hospital beds meet, greatness happens. Students from NAU’s School of Nursing and the Department of Theatre collaborated to create a simulation lab as part of the Health Care Theater Class, giving students hands-on experience in their respective fields of study.
