August 8, 2005
Picture Canyon Cleanup Day Background
Local organizations and agencies have chosen a Picture Canyon Cleanup as their keystone event for 2005 "Make a Difference Day™" to be held nationwide on 22 October.
Background:
Make a Difference Day a is a well-publicized annual volunteer day with hundreds or thousands of international projects. It is sponsored by the weekly newspaper insert “USAWEEKEND” which is published by the Gannett Co., and co-sponsored by the non-profit Points of Light Foundation. For more information, go to http://wwwmakeadifferenceday.com . USAWEEKEND publishes proposed projects as soon as September, actual project reports after October, and award winning projects are also highlighted.
History:
The idea of a project to cleanup PC as a “Make a Difference Day” was proposed by David McKee, an employee at the City of Flagstaff Wildcat Water Treatment Plant, in August, and he took the initiative to present it to the district 4 Supervisor Deb Hill, Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to the Natural Resources Conservation District, and others, to garner support.
Description:
We expect 30-36 volunteers, primarily from NATRA and Wildcat for now, plus some from general public and other supporting or sponsoring organizations. We are hoping that additional organizations will come on board. We plan to set up a registration and information point near the Rio de Flag outfall on CoF property. Majority of cleanup will be on State property. Balance will be on City property.
Highlight of the event is the anticipated removal, by a complex multi-crane operation, of vehicle hulks and concrete debris.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are many volunteer tasks, some as part of the preparation, some as participants, and some as supporters.
Event Sponsors:
In addition to national sponsors, local sponsors include Northern Arizona Trail Runners (NATRA), Coconino County, Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District(CNRCD), and others. More details forthcoming.
What is Picture Canyon?
Picture Canyon is a nearly-secret jewel located within Flagstaff city limits near the eastern edge of town and just north of Old Route 66. It holds Sinagua ruins and extensive Petroglyphs, first surveyed by Dr. Harold Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona, and published in 1931 in the first detailed survey of the archeology of Northern Arizona. It has a beautiful lava-walled gorge with flowing waterfalls, old "yellow-belly" Ponderosa pines and mature Gambel oaks, and a rare riparian corridor.
Stand by for additional entries in the category of Picture Canyon.
Contacts and Information:
For now, contact or e-mail Scott Harger, 527-9050, or David McKee, 526-2520.
Registration will be at the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association Web page, http://www.NATRA.org
Press Releases and other materials will be available as we approach the Oct 22 event.