October 20, 2005
Directions to Picture Canyon Cleanup Event
Directions to Picture Canyon "Make a Difference Day" Cleanup Event:
Proceed on Old Route 66, also known as East Santa Fe Ave, past Fanning drive, under the I-40 on ramps, and past Flagstaff Mall.
(Once you pass the Mall, there will be small signs saying "PIcture Canyon" with arrows.)
Proceed about a mile on Rte 66 to mile marker 202. Here you will see El Paso Flagstaff Road. There is also a sign for the Wildcat Water Treatment Plant here. Turn left.
Proceed down this road, past the Water Treatment Plant, and onto gravel.
Just befor the gate to El Paso Gas Compressor Station, turn right. Continue straight on this dirt road, about 40 yards, until you see the cars and registration tent.
Also see map below.
October 18, 2005
Picture Canyon Cleanup Day Announcement
Mark your calendars for 22 October to join many other groups and agencies for nationwide "Make a Difference Day". A thorough Picture Canyon Cleanup has been submitted as our local capstone project. Come out to join or support the many different projects wich will be part of this effort. (We have already removed vehicles and over 20 tons of concrete debris using heavy equipment.)
For more information and to keep up with plans, go to the blog archive category: D. Picture Canyon, listed on the right column of the blog, and scroll down through various announcements and background information. To register in advance, go to the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association, who will also be hosting a webpage for the event. Or just follow the signs on Old Route 66 in east Flag, past the mall, to Picture Canyon. Volunteer registration starts at 8:30 am on Saturday. Tools provided.
Various Picture Canyon Projects are expected to be part of this year's partnership of the Arizona Master Naturalist Program and Arizona Master Watershed Stewardship Program. Might as well get a head start!
October 02, 2005
Picture Canyon Hulks Lifted Out 24 Sep 05
Finally! After years of trying to organize the removal of a half dozen wrecked vehicles from Picture Canyon, it has all finally come together, largely due to the efforts of David McKee, in Wildcat Water Treatment Plant Operations, who applied his network of connections to obtain donations of skilled labor and heavy machinery.
On this day, 4 of 6 vehicles were removed, along with several engine blocks and miscellaneous debris. Two days earlier, a similar crane was used to remove nearly twenty tons of concrete debris that had spilled over the edge of the canyon.
Southwest Industrial Rigging Company donated the cranes and personnel for two full days of heavy lifting. El Paso Natural Gas Company also donated personnel and skip-loaders to assist in removal. City of Flagstaff Water Treatment people donated time and rigging, and Environmental Services donated documentation, roll-off haulers, and tow services for the concrete and vehicles. Southwest Rigging is expected to be back in October with their largest crane to lift the last two vehicles.
September 04, 2005
Picture Canyon Historic Publication
Picture Canyon was first studied in a systematic archeological way in 1928-9 by Dr Harold Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona. His survey of prehistoric cultural sites in northern Arizona was published in 1931.
September 01, 2005
Picture Canyon Weed Mgmt Results
Weed eradication efforts have been ongoing in Picture Canyon for years. But these efforts have often been piecemeal, stopped at fence lines, skipped years, or discontinued too soon. This is still true today, but some types of weeds have declined, such as Yellow Starthistle. But all of them remain a threat to Coconino County and Arizona. Picture Canyon is a weed epicenter, due to its location and the type of industries surrounding it, so "we must endeavor to persevere."
See more before and after shots below:
August 26, 2005
Walk the Walk Factoid
"Walk the Walk", a weekly Sunday series of walking tours conducted by Flagstaff Walking Club and the Flagstaff Pedestrian Committee, has been including Picture Canyon about once a month in its series.
So far, no tour has had fewer than 30 participants. The 21 August tour had 57 attendees! The walks at Picture Canyon are educational events, and are permitted by the AZ Land Dept under a permit to Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.
August 10, 2005
Picture Canyon Cleanup Day Action Items
Picture Canyon Cleanup Day 22 October 2005
Action Items:
[Contact Scott Harger at cannonbone@msn.com for corrections or updates.]
06. 12 Aug. David McKee to determine whether CoF tractors and riggers could be used for lifting vehicles, etc., from PC. 24 Sep UPDATE: 2 vehicles were deemed too far out for the crane on hand to lift safely. Southwest Rigging will have to bring their largest crane. This will require some funds to cover costs, estimated at $800. David to contact Suprvr Deb Hill's office.
07. 12 Aug. David McKee to check, through his contacts, on whether Cinder Hills might donate a few cubic yards of fine cinders to fill mudbogs along the access road. (To prevent road expansion. Volunteers would spread.) Status: Preliminary outcome is that the CoF may provide gravels as part of another project. 25 Aug Update: Surplus gravels were dumped at the desired locations last week by CoF crews. Closed. 26 Aug Update: Reopened. Only some material donated. More donation would be needed to fill mudbogs, although they are nearly dry now. 20 Oct UPDATE: Not likely to be part of Cleanup event.
18. 15 Aug. Scott Harger to contact Wade Albrecht about seeking herbicide applicator to help with Camelthorn eradication. May come back to the County if they have a contract with a qualified applicator. 25 Aug Status: Open. Wade due back to his office 29 Aug. 29 Aug Update: Per telecom with Wade, Scott to contact Bryce Snyder at Enviro Systems, local weed control contractor, for possible sponsorship. Also to solicit support at the SFPWMA meeting on Friday, 1 Sep. Also, re-examined these plants and determined it to be Camelthorn, not Russian Olive. These will not lend themselves to pulling or pruning, and will need spraying. May not remain a volunteer level activity. 2 Sep UPDATE:
strong>David McKee to check if a CoF employee certified herbicide applicator would volunteer to lead a volunteer Crew. If so, Al Hendricks has herbicide on hand and would make it available for the Camelthorn colonies. May still need a sprayer. 7 Oct UPDATE: Still open. 20 Oct UPDATE: Not likely to be part of Event.
19. 15 Aug. Unassigned. Solicit CoF graffiti control for gallon of dark gray ( rhyolite colored) paint to cover rocks. 25 Aug Update: Scott Harger contacted Nathan Cain, COF contact, for paint. Lft msg. 29 Aug Update: Scott Lft msg. 31 Aug Update: Nathan refered Scott to Justin Emrick at CoF Hazardous Waste, the source of paint for graffiti control, for paint. 527-1637. 19 September UPDATE: Scott will just go out to the recycle center and pick up some paint, and furnish some brushes. Status:CLOSED. 12 Oct UPDATE: Scott went to HAZ Waste center, receiving a hostile reception and no cooperation. 19 Oct UPDATE: Scott bought brushes. David offered to try CoF sources one more time. If no word by Friday, Scott will buy paint. STATUS: OPEN>
20. 17Aug. Geoff Cross to consider placing AZ Trail/Flagstaff Loop Trail signage at PC crossing.
20 Oct UPDATE: Personal conv left matter unresolved. Have not had a reply from Geoff over a long period. STATUS: Not likely.
23. 25 Aug. David McKee to ask t-shirt silk screener about possible donation of t-shirts for volunteers. 15 Sep UPDATE: David has asked a donor if they will supply t-shirts. Meanwhile, David is working with "Cheap Clothing T-Shirt Company" on the t-shirts, and is shooting to have prototypes by 24 September. 7 Oct UPDATE: El Paso is donating $200 to cover t-shirts, planned in dark green with white lettering. David to ask Deb Hill's officefor $60 more, to allow printing on both front and back. 20 Oct UPDATE: T-shirts in production.
24. 7 Oct. David to make up thank you certificates using his draft poster. Scott will provide text and issue individual letters, post event. On Wed, 19 Oct, David suggested by e-mail that we have these ready for the event to obtain signatures from many attendees. Great idea, but not likely to fit Scott's schedule in the next two days, but will be on the list to try for Friday.
August 09, 2005
Picture Canyon Cleanup Day Contact List
PC Cleanup Event 22 October
Contact List:
[Alphabetical. Contact Scott Harger if you want to be on distribution for this project update. cannonbone@msn.com]
Jim Alam, NRCS TSP Program Manager (NRCD Board) (h) 526-3217(cell) 380-1881
Wade Albrecht, Coconino Co Extension Service, Weed Mgmt Area Contact (w) 774-1868 x25 walbrech@ag.arizona.edu
Elaine Beyal, Exec Asst to Supvsr Hill. (w) 779.6644 ebeyal@coconino.az.gov
Christina Boyd, Nonprofit Resource Center of N. AZ. (w) 928. 527-7926 nprc@nonprofit.naz.org
Frank Brandt, Audubon, Planning and Zoning Comm, kfbrandt@aol.com
Nathan Cain, CoF Env. Services Dept, Code Enforcement Sec. (w) 213-3601 ncain@ci.flagstaff.az.us
Geoff Cross, CoF Urban Planner, Flag Biking Org. (w) 779-6624 x20 geoff@flagstaffbiking.org
Becky Daggett, ED, Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (w) 556-8663 becky@friendsofflagstaff.org
Brenda Grey, Coco Co Outreach Coordinator (w) 779-6695 bgrey@coconino.az.gov
Scott Harger, NRCD and AZMN Program (h) 527-9050 (cell) 527-9060 cannonbone@msn.com
Al Hendricks, AZ State Land Dept., Flagstaff (w) 774-1425 x203 alhendricks@azstatefire.org
Deb Hill, Supervisor District 4 Coconino County (w) 779-6693 dhill@coconino.az.gov
Paul Jones, open space issues resource, pfj@npgcable.com
Jerry Lively, Southwest Ind. Rigging, (w) 774-7351
David McKee, Wildcat Water Treatment Plant (w) 526-2520 (h) 213-0706 clan-mckee@mailcity.com
John Stratman, El Paso Nat Gas, (w) 527.6541
Neil Weintraub, Archeologist, Kaibab National Forest (w) 600-3685
Jack Welch, Flagstaff Pedestrian Committee, Walk-the-Walk (h) 714-0504 adilllo@aol.com
Volunteer Coordinators or Team Leaders Contact List:
Alexis Baca_Spry NAU, Colo Plat Coop Studies Unit, 523.5549, alexis.baca-spry@nau.edu Team NAU
Angie Binau, CoF Utilities GIS, 226.4853, 213.3062, abinau@ci.flagstaff.az.us Team CoF
James Boyer, CoF Utilities Insp, 527.8731, 699.5052, iwinspc@ci.flagstaff.az.us Team CoF
Christine Cameron, CoF Admin CIP, 226.4863, cippr@ci.flagstaff.az.us Team CoF
John Davidson, CoF Utilities Admin, 779.7685x4838, 213.3123 utprgast@ci.flagstaff.az.us Team CoF
Jackie Dent, NATRA, 853.3468, jackie_fio@hotmail.com
Rebecca Garrett, TNC Hart Prairie Program Mgr, (w)774-8892 x5, rgarrett@tnc.org
Kari Malen, GCT, GCF Vol Coordinator, (w)774-7488 x217 gcvolunteers@yahoo.com
Peter McCullough, CoF Envrmntl Srvcs, 213.3606, envtech@ci.flagstaff.az.us Team CoF
Andrew Moore, 412.661.5875, abmoore99779@cs.com Car Trash Team Lead
Theresa Pinto, Arizona Riparian Council, 602-506-8127
Aaron Seifest, NATRA, 821.3561, mapitguy@yahoo.com
Cory Sheeley, Northland Publishing mktg, 800.346.3257 x22
Rick Taylor, Michelle Taylor, CoF, 773.1069 Tire removal Team Leader
Jutt Winn,NATRA, 525-3359 interested in leading one of the weed crews Team Lead
Stephanie Yard and Tom Moody, Natural Channel Design, (h/w) 774-1178, stephanie@naturalchanneldesign.com;tom@naturalchanneldesign.com
August 08, 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.
August 07, 2005
Picture Canyon Volunteer Information
We are looking for volunteers for all the usual things associated with a big cleanup event. Expect to see announcements on TV, in the paper, and on the radio. Information will also be available at the Make a Difference Day "central dispatch table" downtown on 22 October.
1. To register in advance, go to http://www.natra.org . (Highly encouraged for groups.) For information about Picture Canyon, or background about the event, go to http://azmasternaturalist.arizona.edu .
Otherwise, for information on participating, contact either David McKee or Scott Harger.
2. Directions: Take Old Route 66, also known as East Santa Fe Ave., eastbound parallel to the railroad tracks past the Flagstaff Mall about a mile to El Paso-Flagstaff Road. You will see the Water Treatment sign. Turn here and proceed north about a mile on gravel, following the signs/arrows to the cleanup event. Do not turn into the treatment plant. If you reach Rain Valley Rd, you have gone too far east on Rte 66.
3. Volunteers other than team leaders are asked to arrive at 8:30 am at the registration table. The registration table and parking are just North of and behind the Wildcat Water Treatment Plant. (Note: we expect to have refreshments, t-shirts, water, lunch, and to wrap up early-mid-afternoon. Volunteers are asked to sign in and out for safety.
4. Volunteer activities will be organized loosely into teams. Team activities will include the following:
A. Help set up, tear down registration/info/t-shirt/food station.(Need 1-2 vols.)[Pats Shriver]
B. Clean up debris remaining from vehicle and concrete removal.(Need 3-6.)[Andrew Moore]
C. Remove, or paint over, minor but conspicuous paint spills on rocks.(need 2-3.)
D. Trash and litter pickup along the access road, west rim. (need 4-6.)
E. Trash and litter pickup along west rim, between access road and canyon rim.(need 4-6.)
F. Trash and litter pickup within canyon, west side below rim.(need 4-6.)
G. Trash and litter pickup within canyon, east side below rim.(need 4-6.)
H. Trash and litter pickup along east rim.(need 4-6.)
I. Trash and litter pickup along the access road, east side. (need 4-6.)
J. Remove tire(s) to County tire facility; remove scrap iron, engine block to recycle bin.(Need 2-4.)[Rick Taylor]
K. Remove planks and bedsprings debris from below falls near Rain Valley Road. (Collapsed shack.) ( Also large straight-six engine block.)(Need 4-6.)
L. Weed clipping &bagging (using clippers) to eliminate moderate bolted Scotch Thistle and Bull Thistle populations, near west side of water falls. (Need 4-6.)[Jutt Winn]
M. Weed root cutting (use spades) to eliminate Scotch Thistle rosettes, upstream meadows.(Need 6-12.)
N. Weed root cutting (use spades) to eliminate Scotch Thistle rosettes, downstream canyon.(Need 6-12.)
O. Use herbicide to remove moderate Camelthorn thickets below falls. (Need 2-4 plus licensed herbicide applicator.)
P. Spread gravel(using shovels) in filled mudbogs near Water Plant and Gas Compressor Station. [partially done.]
Q. Help remove filled bags to trash and recycle bins. {Need 3-4.)
R. Install Arizona Trail Signs at PC crossing. FB Org (Need 3-6 from Flagstaff Biking Org)[Geoff Cross]
S. End of Day Canyon Sweepers(Need 4-6.)
Total estimated 50+ to 100 vols, if we do everything in the list at full roar. More likely we will do less weed management, and need about 18-25 fewer. Also, some tasks are relatively short duration, and folks can move to other activities, relieve others, observe, or depart early without worry. Volunteers are asked to sign out before leaving, just for safety.
August 05, 2005
Picture Canyon Photo Gallery A.
Here are a series of photographs from Picture Canyon, showing some of its charms and resources as an urban wilderness.
Pictures will be added, time to time.
August 04, 2005
Picture Canyon Photo Gallery B.
Here are a series of photographs from Picture Canyon, showing some of its charms and resources as an urban wilderness.
Pictures will be added, time to time.
August 03, 2005
Picture Canyon Photo Gallery C.
Here are a series of photographs from Picture Canyon, showing some of its charms and resources as an urban wilderness.
Pictures will be added, time to time.
August 02, 2005
Picture Canyon Photo Gallery D.
Here are a series of photographs from Picture Canyon, showing some of its charms and resources as an urban wilderness.
July 13, 2005
Picture Canyon Weed Management Activity
The Coconino Board of Supervisors, Coconino Extension Service, and Coconino Natural Resources Conservation District combined resources to eliminate Scotch Thistle on Upper Picture Canyon (above the falls), about 40% of the total thistle in the entire canyon.
The main effort was a Coconino Resource Conservation Corps (CREC) crew, who wailed on those thistles for two full days. AZ Master Naturalists and agency personnel tried to keep up. CREC cleared over 20 acres of Scotch Thistle.
