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Echoes of Excellence
Elvy Barton, Salt River Project Water and Forest Sustainability Senior Manager
I have lived in Arizona my entire life and while I enjoy traveling to see new and inspiring landscapes, I know Arizona will always be my home. My love for Arizona was fostered by my dad, a 30-year employee with the U.S. Forest Service. I was always tagging along on a new hike or exploring a new camping spot with him. What I didn’t know, all those years ago, was that my dad imparted on me my love of the natural environment.
Another defining moment shaped my career when a classmate on the debate team told me I was not smart enough to compete in policy debate. I couldn’t stand for someone to tell me that I wasn’t good enough. So, I learned how to compete in policy debate and became a successful, college, national-level policy debater. In my early career, I combined my love of the natural environment and policy to work with the Arizona State Legislature, which led me to my current position leading Salt River Project’s forest health initiatives and water conservation efforts.
One of my favorite partnerships is on the CC Cragin Watershed where we are restoring more than 30,000 acres. Our partnership with the Coconino National Forest, Bureau of Reclamation, AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Town of Payson, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the forest products industry, and now Apple, is already a success story. The work has not always been easy, but the partnership has thrived through patience, collaboration, and persistence. I’m excited to see how this partnership will continue to evolve.
I am fortunate to have a job that makes Arizona a better place now and for future generations and believe the CC Cragin Watershed partnership is a model of how government, non-profits, and private sector organizations can unite different perspectives through common goals to achieve watershed-level outcomes. Seeing the work that is being done to protect communities and ecosystems inspires me to push through the challenging days and continue creating new partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms.
Photo: Left to Right: Patt Dorsey, Elvy Barton, Shana Fitzpatrick, Michelle Paduani, and Bruce Hallin in the CC Cragin Watershed.
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Collaborative Beats
Partnership Spotlight
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Mending the Past and Leaning into the Future
Partnering with the second largest county in the United States (18,661 square miles) has created innovative ways to restore the health of forests and watersheds in Northern Arizona.
The Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Flood Control District (Flood Control District) partnered in 2010 to address post-wildfire flooding following the Schultz Fire. Through the Good Neighbor Authority, this partnership implemented novel approaches to watershed restoration on National Forest System Lands. After the 2022 Pipeline Fire, the partnership was revived for a similar purpose, and has delivered over $25 million in watershed restoration in fire-impacted areas, leveraged local, state, and federal support, and mitigated post-wildfire flooding for thousands of citizens.
The most valuable outcome of this partnership has been the foundation for a joint pursuit of forest and watershed restoration. Within the Flood Control District is the Coconino County Forest Restoration Initiative. Jay Smith, Forest Restoration Director, leads this initiative and says his position, which focuses on collaboration and investment opportunities, is unique in the western U.S. because his work creates opportunities to partner and invest in multiple ways.
“While we have had success mitigating post-wildfire flooding, we must also be proactive to complete forest restoration and protect our communities from catastrophic wildfire,” Jay shared. “Especially in critical areas like the Upper Rio De Flag Watershed.”
The Upper Rio De Flag Watershed is a 21,500-acre area on the western slopes of the San Francisco Peaks. Recent studies commissioned by the Flood Control District estimated a significant risk of wildfire and post-wildfire flooding in this watershed, with a potential economic impact of between $535 million and $2.8 billion to the region.
Now, the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project, which is part of the larger Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), is a top priority for both the Flood Control District and the Coconino National Forest. Together, we are partnering with industry and other organizations—such as The Nature Conservancy—to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through treatments such as mechanical thinning and prescribed fire. The current estimate to treat the project area is approximately $26 million. Together we committed about $13 million in FY23 and will seek additional federal funding over the next few years.
“These forest restoration partnerships and investments are crucial for the future of our communities,” Coconino County District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman said. “They generate innovation and opportunities to leverage other partnerships for continued success.”
Photo: Mechanical thinning in the Wing East Project commenced in May 2024 as the first active contract within the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project.
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Harmonic Highlights
A Showcase of Successes With Our Partners
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Making Tracks on A Master Stewardship Agreement
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is dedicated to the conservation of wild turkey and the preservation of a long-time hunting heritage. Their shared values are reflected in USDA Forest Service values and are fully on display in their ongoing partnership with the Mogollon Ranger District. Values such as clean water, healthy forests, and wildlife habitat for wild turkeys along with viable habitat for all wildlife guide their work across the country and in Arizona.
The organization leads in many ways with members all over the country serving in a wide variety of activities including purchasing timber from National Forest System Lands through stewardship contracts between NWTF and contractors, and serving as a top performing organization and large wood supplier for timber coming off National Forest System Lands.
The NWTF supports agency personnel and enhances capacity by soliciting bids on contracts on stewardship projects like the General Springs Restoration Project on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. They set-up the bidding process, ensure the contractor is performing to standards, and manage the contract award for 3,491 acres of mechanical thinning treatments in the project. Their support is essential to the overall goals of forest restoration and protecting the watershed.
Last year the Mogollon Ranger District received the “Making Tracks” National Award from the NWTF in recognition of outstanding accomplishments for their work on the General Springs Restoration Project in the C.C. Cragin Watershed. The award recognized accomplishments in strengthening and expanding partnership work between the District, Salt River Project (SRP), and NWTF.
The partners connected to the General Springs Project bring creative and innovative solutions to restore these acres, and businesses are growing with increased interest in conservation and restoration work. The low value for materials from similar projects is a challenge which is where partners like SRP can fund a stewardship project and support the work with their contributions to the project which means we can treat more acres.
Chuck Carpenter, NWTF Wildlife Biologist shared, “the Mogollon Rim Ranger District has amazing and dedicated staff, and their collaboration and dedication to working with NWTF has guided this project to fruition. It takes creative problem solving to do this in a fiscally responsible way, and these types of partnerships can target watershed-wide projects on larger landscapes.”
Photo: C.C. Cragin Reservoir. The General Springs Restoration Project is located in the C.C. Cragin Watershed.
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Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Healing in Progress, Please Stay on the Trail
As you drive Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon you may not realize the canyon sees three million visitors a year. You may also notice watershed restoration work happening along the highway as signage, log-worm fences, guardrails, or other fencing to close unauthorized roadside pullouts and rehabilitate the first 100 feet of associated unauthorized trails. These roadside closures are just one of nine activities to restore the watershed that were approved in the 2019 Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Project.
Oak Creek is an impaired stream with occasionally high E. Coli and the number of people recreating directly off the side of the highway with no facilities or hardened trails increase nonpoint source pollution. In the spring of 2020 the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) resurfaced 89A creating an opportunity to fold in restoration work the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, (ADEQ) and the Red Rock Ranger District wanted to accomplish. These partners capitalized on this opportunity creating a big return on investment.
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It took many partners to complete the roadside work including; Natural Channel Design and Engineering, National Forest Foundation, Conservation Legacy, Slide Rock State Park, and ADOT to name a few. These partners facilitated agreements, guided dedicated conservation crews, provided space to store equipment, controlled traffic to keep the crews safe as they worked along the roadside, and in some cases provided heavy equipment to move materials.
“It has been a team effort and a privilege to work in Oak Creek Canyon on such a significant project, “says Ron Tiller, ADEQ Senior Environmental Scientist. “It takes a village to complete this type of project and any time something needed to be done, everyone just made it happen.”
Approximately 40 percent of all the unauthorized roadside pullouts were closed including 320 social trail access points. Eighty social trail access points were converted into hardened stream access points to guide visitors as they hike down to the water. This effort resulted in direct benefits to Oak Creek including reduced sediment and E. coli loading at day-use sites and roadside parking areas. Habitat for threatened native fish and aquatic species was improved, specifically the listed Mexican Gartersnake and narrow-headed Gartersnake.
Top photo: Hardened trail going down to Oak Creek. Photo courtesy Wilderness Volunteers.
Center photo: Conservation Legacy Crew working along 89A. Photo courtesy Conservation Legacy.
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Come Hang Out with the Roving Rangers!
You can find the Roving Rangers all over the Coconino National Forest! We are a partnership team comprised of both employees and volunteers from the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service. It is our mission to provide free and fun ranger programs in and around the area. The rangers bring understanding and inspiration to all ages, prompting visitors to cherish our natural world, and conserve natural and cultural resources.
Each weekend, during the summer from Memorial Day Weekend through early September, the Roving Rangers will lead programs at three local campgrounds- Pine Grove, Bonito, and Dairy Springs. You can also find interpretive rangers at the top of the Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Gondola answering questions and describing the natural history and panoramic views amid the spectacular San Francisco Peaks.
Some of the most loved ranger-led programs include beautiful and exciting guided walks in Flagstaff’s three local national monuments and throughout the hidden trails of the Coconino National Forest. Visit the Roving Rangers of Flagstaff Facebook page to see upcoming events! https://www.facebook.com/groups/183600206306194
Photo: Lieutenant Beale (Roving Ranger Eric S.) delivering a program at Bonito Campground on June 22, 2024.
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Heart to Heart
A message from your partnership coordinator
As we celebrate the start of summer our employees and partners are working on many amazing projects that support the mission of the USDA Forest Service and priorities across the Coconino National Forest. Whether it is forest or watershed restoration or rebuilding relationships the end result is seen in our National Forest system Lands, our thriving communities, and our collective future.
Our partners make our shared successes that much more powerful because they are committed to our agency's mission and our surrounding communities. These relationships are the foundation for all the impactful features shared in this month's newsletter.
With gratitude, Katherine
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Beats of Innovation
Training Opportunities with the Udall Foundation
Collaboration in NEPA
October 21-24, 2024, 12:00-4:30pm Eastern $775/person. Virtual.
Understanding Conflict and Planning for Successful Collaboration
Course 1 of 2 in the Fundamentals of Environmental Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Series
September 30, October 1, 3, & 7, 2024, 1-4pm ET, and October 8, 2024, 1-3pm ET, $775/person. Virtual.
Crafting Collaborative Solutions to Environmental Conflicts
Course 2 of 2 in the Fundamentals of Environmental Collaboration & Conflict Resolution Series
December 10-12, 2024, 8:30 AM-4:30 pm ET. Udall Foundation DC Office, Washington, D.C. The Understanding Conflict and Planning for Successful Collaboration is strongly recommended prior to taking this course. $1,150/person. In person.
Grant writing support
The Arizona Economic Resource Center engages eligible Arizona cities, towns, counties, Tribal communities, and nonprofits to win and implement competitive federal, state, municipal, or foundation grants.
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.
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Volunteer Opportunities
The Mogollon Rim Ranger District is seeking local volunteers to help promote safe and responsible OHV recreation on National Forest System Lands.
Ways to Participate
Staff an information booth with the Forest Service on weekends to provide forest information at Clint’s Well or Happy Jack Lodge.
Rove with a Forest Service recreation technician to make public contacts and share information on responsible OHV use.
Join other partners and the Coconino NF to protect meadows and springs through log-worm fencing projects.
Educational information booth at Happy Jack Lodge (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
July 20, August 17, and Sept. 7
Educational information booth at Clint’s Well (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
July 6, August 3, and 31
Rove with the Forest Service
(1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
July 6 and 20, August 3, 17, 31, and Sept. 7
Additional information booth dates may be added on Sundays. For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Brady VanDragt: brady.vandragt@usda.gov
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The Flagstaff Ranger District is seeking local volunteers to serve as Roving Rangers each weekend through early September.
Volunteer at one of three local Flagstaff area campgrounds
-Pine Grove
Bonito
Dairy Springs
Or volunteer at the top of the Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Gondola.
See article in the harmonic highlights section of this newsletter or visit the Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/183600206306194
For additional information reach out to Mike Kruse: michael.kruse@usda.gov
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Join the Celebration
The National Forest Foundation is celebrating National Forest Week™ from July 8-14.
This is an amazing opportunity to share more about our incredible 193-million-acre National Forest System and all it provides for the American public.
You can download the toolkit with social media messaging, graphics, and other resources at the following link: https://nff.files.com/f/60202a0b09460cff
Or share messaging with the hashtag #NationalForestWeek on social media, and get involved in activities such as:
- Register a self-guided clean-up.
- Participate in our National Forest Week™ photo and video contest and win fun prizes!
- Visit an event near you!
For more information go to:
https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/national-forest-week
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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). The TCU Building Bridges Grant Program is a Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) grant-funding opportunity made available exclusively to Tribal Colleges and Universities.
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.
The National Forest Foundation
Collaborative Capacity Program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $150k to support collaboration or collaboration-based activities to benefit forests and grasslands that are managed by the USDA Forest Service. Eligible collaborative efforts must describe how investments in collaboration will support a long-term strategy for achieving stewardship outcomes into the future and these outcomes must seek to benefit National Forest System Lands. Applications close July 12, 2024.
National Forest Community Recreation Fund RFP Launched. The National Forest Community Recreation Fund supports new or existing gear libraries and outdoor recreation programs in communities on or near National Forest System Lands. The RFP is due June 30, 2024, with more information available at their application page.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Commodity Credit Corporation released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Competitive projects should generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area or by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS designated critical conservation area. Proposals are due July 2, 2024.
Healthy Forest Initiative Grant Program with the AZ Department of Fire and Forest Management is now accepting project applications.
Lots of Compassion with Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Kids Gardening believes the garden has the power to do more than grow flowers and herbs, it can grow people, communities, and even kindness. The Lots of Compassion grant program supports local leaders transforming vacant lots into gardens to help grow compassion in their community.
Walmart Spark Good Local Community Grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities including a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services, and community clean-up projects. Quarter 2: May 1 – July 15 and Quarter 3: Aug. 1 – Oct. 15
The Arizona Community Foundation works in tandem with generous individuals, families, and organizations to address some of the biggest challenges facing Arizona. https://www.azfoundation.org/
American Trails partners with the USDA Forest Service in continuing the Legacy Trails Grant Program. https://www.americantrails.org/legacy-trails-program
Grants
https://www.grants.gov/
USDA Forest Service Community Navigator Program – Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc.
The National Environmental Education Foundation's grant portal has a variety of funding for communities to improve the environment, increase diversity, and expand their work locally.
The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor businesses that supports efforts to protect specific wild places for habitat and recreation values. There are two grant programs; Member Directed Grant and Confluence Grant. Awards up to $100,000. Winter Cycle:
Nominations due 10/01/2024 and Proposals due 12/01/2024
National Forest Community Recreation Fund
Regional Conservation Partnership Program | NRCS
Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Wildlife Acoustics Scientific Product Grant
National Endowment for the Humanities Cultural and Community Resilience
National Endowment for the Humanities Preservation and Access Education and Training
National Endowment for the Humanities Research and Development
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Pulse check
Thank you for joining us for the Summer 2024 Pulse on Partnerships Newsletter! We look forward to continued success with our partners and communities. Please fill out this form if you have partnership related ideas for our newsletter.
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Pulse on Partnerships Newsletter
Summer 2024
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