Read previous stories about Friends of the Well and Montezuma Well National Monument.
On April 9th, Jerry Honawa and family came down to plant this year's Hopi Garden at the park. Joining us was the Camp Verde High School AG Class. Jerry gave a short talk on how they plant on the Hopi mesas and how his seeds were different from those you might find in a typical garden store. Then Jerry gave a demonstration of how to plant, and the AG Class dived in.
Three kinds of corn, four variety of beans, and various squash and melons were planted. Jerry explained how they just depend on rainfall to water their gardens up on the mesas, but we will have the benefit of the irrigation Natural Channels has installed off the ditch for the field reveg project.
As the garden grows I will add updates to these pages. But check out the new lightbox feature for pictures. Just click one of the thumbnails below.
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If you were able to join us last Monday, Wayne Ranney gave a wonderful talk on the Verde Formation at the interpretive circle at the Castle. And, if you had an FOTW Membership card you (and three other friends) got in for free. In speaking with Kathy Davis, this benefit will not only be for special events, but anytime you may wish to visit one of the two fee Monuments in the Verde Valley (Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle). Montezuma Well is always free.
One of our members took advantage of this opportunity and renewed her membership and get in free. If you haven't renewed your membership in the last year, please consider doing so. Just download our membership form and send it in with your dues to get your card today!
This plan will provide overall vision and guidance for the long-term management of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments. The general management plan provides comprehensive, integrated guidance for preserving cultural resources, perpetuating natural systems, providing opportunities for visitor enjoyment and understanding, and establishing the organizational mechanism to accomplish the plan.
This is your opportunity to review the plan and make comment. The public comment period is open for 60 days and closes on May 24, 2010.
FOTW President Kayo Parsons-Korn presented Rainwater Harvesting 101 at Beaver Creek's Buzzard Day Rendezvous, April 10th. Here is the resource list that accompanies that talk. And don't miss reknown water harvesting expert Brad Lancaster at a free presentation at Prescott College:
Date: Monday, April 19, 2010,
Time: 7 pm
Location: Prescott College Crossroads Community Center, located off the alley behind the College’s main buildings at 220 Grove Ave
For more information on this free, public talk please contact Rebekah Doyle, (928) 350-2211, rdoyle@prescott.edu.
On February 19th and 20th volunteers planted over 800 native plants in the 27 acre field adjacent to the Picnic Gorunds at the mounument. Each plant was also surrounded by a chicken wire cage to protect it from deer and javelina. Volunteers also sowed the remaining grass seed. And just when we were finishing up, the rain came. The wet winter and early spring have really been a boon to our project and almost all the plants have made it and are showing new growth.
Background:
The 5-year Montezuma Well Pasture Restoration project, funded by the Arizona Water Protection Fund, was initiated in 2008 with our project partner Natural Channel Design, Inc. The purpose of this project is to: 1) restore and enhance riparian vegetation/habitats by removing invasive weedy species, and replacing them with native species along the flood terrace of Wet Beaver Creek; 2) reconnect the riparian habitats that are created by Wet Beaver Creek and the irrigation ditch, 3) restore and enhance the declining riparian desert bosque and grassland habitats, and 4) to provide educational opportunities for Monument visitors regarding the importance of
riparian plant communities and their habitats. During the five years of
the project, invasive and non-native vegetation that now dominate the project area will be removed mechanically and chemically. The invasive/non-native vegetation will be replaced by native vegetation plots designed to maximize diversity, creating a rich mosaic of plants and habitats.
Restoration Grant Application .pdf
First Bloom is a simple idea. The National Park Foundation works with youth groups to bring children – particularly urban kids – to nearby national parks, where park rangers teach them about plants native to the area. Then the kids dig in, nurturing the natural habitats and designing gardens to show off the park landscape and beautify their neighborhoods. Through hands-on immersion into the science of native plants and habitat restoration, First Bloom helps kids connect in new ways to their environment and develop an early passion for conservation.
Here at the Well, the First Bloom project is being managed by the Park's Resource Specialist, Deb Decovis. Deb will be working with two sets of 4th-6th grade children. The first group of kids if from the Prescott Boys and Girls Club and the second group from the Yavapai/Apache Nation here in the Verde Valley.
The kids will be working on a Pollinator Garden of native plants in the field next to the Picnic Grounds. This garden is part of the Montezuma Well Riparian Restoration Project, which is being funded by a grant awarded by the state's Water Resources Fund in 2007. This grant will also fund Sinaguan and Pioneer demonstration gardens, and restore the 27 acres of field west of the Picnic Grounds to its original grassland habitat.
We'll add pictures and stories as this project blooms!
More info on the National Park Foundation First Bloom program.
Friends of the Well
P.O. Box 864
Rimrock, AZ 86335-0864
info@friends-of-the-well.org