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Echoes of Excellence
Partnerships have always been a part of my Forest Service career. I spent my first eight years as a Recreation Professional on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah, and since those beginning years the importance of partnerships has always been prominent.
As I left the recreation realm and began serving as the Mesa District Ranger on the Tonto National Forest partnerships were showcased in all program areas. I’m now grateful to see our partnerships from a new lens as the Deputy Forest Supervisor.
In my short time on the Coconino National Forest, the extreme diversity of what our forest has to offer has been amazing to experience. From low deserts and our world-renowned Red Rock Country to the remnants of an ancient volcano that stands as Arizona’s tallest peak to the Mogollon Rim that runs for hundreds of miles across central Arizona, the Coconino is an amazingly diverse forest unlike any that I have worked on.
A part of what brings these incredible landscapes together is our partners who contribute to our shared success. Bottom line, we could not do as much work, at the same high pace and scale without you.
Partnerships that specifically stand out to me in my short time here include: Coconino County and their dedication to the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and post-wildfire rehabilitation; City of Flagstaff and their work on the waterline road and post-wildfire flood mitigation; the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund for continued contributions to the beautification of trails and special places around Sedona; and the Salt River Project along with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management for committing to thousands of acres of forest restoration in the C.C. Cragin Watershed.
I hope to continue these amazing relationships with not only partners I highlighted, but with all our amazing partners that help us tackle critical work and increase our capacity to do good and steward the whole. Thanks for all you do to help the mission of the Coconino and the Forest Service.
Photo: Matt Lane, Coconino National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor |
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Collaborative Beats
Partnership Spotlight
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Restoring an Essential Meadow on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District
Natural meadows are centers of high biological diversity, and their ecological health is important for our forest and riparian ecosystems. These areas and associated surface water contribute to habitat connectivity for wildlife across the landscape as well as create natural buffers for wildfire management.
The Arizona Elk Society is partnering with the Coconino National Forest to restore one such area in Houston Draw on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. The Arizona Elk Society is an amazing partner and recognizes the importance of riparian and meadow health. Some plant species can be damaged by a large elk herd that browses vegetation in these meadows, and excluding elk supports overall riparian health and watershed function.
The project is located within the C.C. Cragin Project area and is essential for overall restoration of our resilient forests because these natural components are limited, create habitat across the landscape, and provide natural fuel breaks to protect the C.C. Cragin Reservoir. Zach Slinker, Wildlife Biologist with the Arizona Elk Society shared, “Healthy meadows can slow the intensity of a catastrophic wildfire in a watershed like Houston Draw that directly feeds the C.C. Cragin Reservoir. This work not only contributes to a resilient landscape, it also restores hydrologic function and vegetation to restore natural processes.”
BLUF Contracting out of New River, AZ is implementing the project, and a variety of equipment will be used to complete the work. Logs from removal of nearby trees that have encroached into the meadow will be used as bank stabilization structures that will slow the water, catch the soil, and create pockets of soil for the plants to grow.
The project also includes construction of wildlife-friendly rail fencing with steel pipe and rigid panels high enough to exclude elk but still provide access for other wildlife like turkey to access the riparian area. Once the fence is constructed, native riparian and wetland plants, including Bebb’s willow will be planted to revegetate the meadow, and protect banks from erosion.
The project includes an essential volunteer component to build fences and rock dam structures on weekends that offers hard work, camaraderie, and good company. Contact Lindsay Layton if you are interested in volunteering.
Photo: Mary Aland, a Senior Project Manager with the American Conservation Experience cuts a stump down to ground height in Houston Draw. |
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Harmonic Highlights
A Showcase of Successes With Our Partners |
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Restoring Trails, Repairing Hearts: A Path to Veteran Healing
The mission of the Arizona Trail Association’s Veteran Engagement and Trail Stewardship (VETS) Program is to connect those who have served our country with other service members and the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The VETS Program offers meaningful opportunities for military veterans on and off the trail through a platform of continued service to community and connections with other military members and land managers in naturally therapeutic settings.
The VETS program has two components:
1. Veteran Volunteer Work Weekend – for veterans to try the program for four days and three nights. The camaraderie is unmatched, and the from-scratch meals fuel them during their time on the trail.
2. Fox Squad – funded in part by the Great American Outdoors Act focuses on repairing remote sections of the Arizona Trail that are typically in significant need of maintenance.
As the VETS Program Director Michael “Chappy” Chappell shared, “Public spaces allow everyone to experience nature, but for veterans, it can be even more profound. This program provides an opportunity for veterans to process their experiences in outdoor settings. Indigenous people have used these lands for millennia to heal, and now our military community is finding healing here as well.”
Each project sees between 12 and 20 veterans, active-duty, reserve, guard, retirees, and their families participating. During a recent project this spring the Mogollon Rim Ranger District hosted 18 veterans who worked on the AZ Trail near Hay Meadow Tank in Happy Jack. They used tread retention techniques, fortified cairns, constructed new drainages, and enhanced wayfinding; resulting in a more accessible and sustainable trail for all users.
Chappy emphasizes this outdoor program focuses on service to the community, which is also a way of serving oneself. “There’s a unifying voice and experience in seeing the trail transform. Building or restoring something like the Arizona Trail mirrors the veterans’ personal journey—they can reflect on what they’ve changed, repaired, both externally and internally.”
Since March 2021, the VETS Program has engaged with over 350 military members and their families through its unique programming. If you are interested in supporting or participating with VETS, reach out to Chappy.
Photo: A veteran volunteer work weekend on the Little Elden Trail in honor of National Public Lands Day, September 2024 |
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Oak Creek Gartersnake Habitat Protections (Have you seen me?)
The narrow-headed gartersnake might sound scary, but it is really a rare and amazing species that lives in Oak Creek Canyon. They are a non-venomous, semi-aquatic snake that prefer riffles and pools in headwater streams. Adults can reach a maximum length of four feet and spend the majority of their time in or around water primarily eating mostly small fish, and sometimes salamanders and tadpoles.
Population numbers are declining due to a variety of factors including invasive, non-native species like crayfish, bullfrogs, and fish competing for space and food, habitat impacts from recreation, or because people needlessly killed them.
Erika Nowak, with the Northern Arizona University (NAU) School of Earth and Sustainability and the Department of Biological Sciences, has been researching and protecting the snakes for 25 years in Oak Creek Canyon. She has seen a general decline in the population numbers over the past 20 years with climate change and increased recreation in Oak Creek Canyon contributing to their decline.
The snakes seem to have changed their behavior and are not as visible to surveyors as they used to be. Large flood events in Oak Creek Canyon that scour out crayfish and vegetation such as invasive orchard grass have also declined. Orchard grass impacts snake habitat as it increases shade so the snakes cannot bask in the sun as much.
The Coconino National Forest and NAU have a broad partnership for field work to gain big picture data to support management federal agencies can apply to protect the species. This amazing partnership includes the Friends of the Forest and Red Rock Ranger District Biologist Janie Agyagos who are completing habitat and population survey work. One of the projects Ph. D students Morgan Thompson is collecting data on when the snakes are swimming or moving on land to better understand their activity periods.
Erika shared, “Our work with the Coconino National Forest is fantastic because not only are we protecting a valuable species, but my students gain on-the-job experience. People can misunderstand these snakes and kill them. It is important to remember they swim in the water, are not dangerous, and please don’t touch or harm them.”
Photo: A narrow-headed gartersnake basks in the sun along Oak Creek. |
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Heart to Heart
A message from your partnership coordinator
As we move into the fall and reflect on our 2024 accomplishments I want to thank all our volunteers and partners for their tireless dedication to the Coconino National Forest. Our collective success is because of you, your organization, and the amazing relationships we have forged over the years.
I also want to take a moment and thank our veterans. Veterans Day is coming up on November 11th and pays tribute to all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The day recognizes the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of our veterans and serves as an opportunity for us to express gratitude for their service and dedication. Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was first celebrated on November 11, 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. It was officially designated as a holiday in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Celebrating Veterans Day provides an opportunity to show appreciation for veterans and recognize their contributions to the nation. One specific group I want to draw attention to is the Arizona Trail VETS Program (see the article above – Restoring Trails, Repairing Hearts: A path to Veteran Healing).
With gratitude, Katherine
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Beats of Innovation
Grant writing support
The Arizona Economic Resource Centerengages eligible Arizona cities, towns, counties, Tribal communities, and nonprofits to win and implement competitive federal, state, municipal, or foundation grants.
Creative Flagstaff | Where Arts, Science & Culture Converge often has free comprehensive workshops on grant writing tailored for artists, creatives, and non-profit organizations. Check out their website for future opportunities to enhance your grant writing skills and connect with the local arts and non-profit community.
The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations accelerates the market adoption of clean energy technologies and fills a critical innovation gap on the path to clean electricity and net-zero emissions.Their exchange hosts a list of funding sources.
Updated Rural Development Resource Guide. Together, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development released a joint planning resource guide, designed to help eliminate barriers and encourage collaboration among stakeholders. The guide is separated into four key focus areas: Planning and Technical Assistance, Infrastructure and High-speed Internet Expansion, Entrepreneurship, and Business Assistance Workforce Development and Livability.
For more information on current Forest Service funding opportunities, click here.
First Nations Development Institute – Capacity Support Grants support capacity building to engage in USFS IRA and BIL funding opportunities and programs
Eligible Tribes and Native-led organizations can apply for up to $25,000 in capacity support funding Learn more. |
| Volunteer Opportunities
Look for more opportunities headed your way in 2025.
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| Conservation Education
Naturewatch, Interpretation, and Conservation Education (NICE) Database FY24 reporting deadline is October 15, 2024.
Natural Inquirer: Smokey Bear Reader is now available. Order free copies here: Meet Smokey Bear’s Team – Vol. 1 No. 12 – Natural Inquirer. Natural Inquirer blog has started and open for submissions. Additionally, Natural Inquirer has fire prevention materials available in advance of Fire Prevention Month in October. |
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Economic EKG
Below is a clearing house of a variety of funding opportunities and resources across many agencies and organizations.
TCU Building Bridges Grant is from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, in partnership with The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is a STEM grant-funding exclusive to Tribal Colleges and Universities.
The Arizona Community Foundation works in tandem with generous individuals, families, and organizations to address Arizona’s challenges. https://www.azfoundation.org/
American Trails partners with the USDA Forest Service in the Legacy Trails Grant Program. Opens October 2nd and closes December 1st.
https://www.grants.gov/
Coalitions & Collaboratives – Resilient Ecosystems. Thriving Communities. (co-co.org)
The National Environmental Education Foundation’s grant portal has funding for communities to improve the environment, increase diversity, and expand their work locally.
The Conservation Alliance supports efforts to protect specific wild places for habitat and recreation values. Two grant programs; Member Directed Grant and Confluence Grant. Nominations due 10/01/2024 and Proposals due 12/01/2024
October 1st deadlines
Fund for Wild Nature
The Conservation Alliance nomination
EPA Tribal Wetland Program Development Grant
October 15th deadlines
Walmart Spark Good Local Community Grant
Keta Legacy Foundation Paul Wiseman Conservation Education Grant
River Network – Rooting Resilience: Funding and Technical Assistance for Urban and Community Forestry Projects
October 30th deadlines
NOAA John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
October 31st deadlines
Keta Legacy Foundation Norm Winn Memorial Conservation Grant
Ben and Jerry’s Foundation Grassroots National Grant Program
Whole Kids Foundation Bee Grants
The EPA’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program is accepting applications now through October 16.
USDA Forest Products Laboratory is advancing sustainable cellulose nanomaterials into new markets and new uses and markets for residual forest biomass.
Misc. October deadlines
The River Network Rooting Resilience: Funding and Technical Assistance for Urban and Community Forestry Projects October 23
American Forests Tree Equity Catalyst Fund Supports faith-based and frontline environmental justice organizations. Deadline: October 25
November deadlines
Trust for Public Land– directs funds to Tribal nations, Tribal schools, and Indigenous communities to transform vacant schoolyards into culturally relevant green spaces that redress disparities in mental and physical health, climate vulnerability, and outdoor learning, while celebrating Indigenous lifeways. November 8
The EPA’s Community Challenge Grantssupport community-driven projects to build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen climate resilience, and advance clean energy. November 21 |
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Pulse check
Thank you for joining us for the Fall 2024 Pulse on Partnerships Newsletter! We look forward to continued success with our partners and communities. Please fill out this formif you have partnership related ideas for our newsletter. |
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Pulse on Partnerships Newsletter
Fall 2024
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