FY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

THE , ONE OF THE LAST PERENNIAL SOUTHWESTERN RIVERS, IS IN DANGER OF RUNNING DRY. YOU CAN HELP SAVE IT.

SUSTAINING FLOWS RESTORING HABITAT PROMOTING COMMUNITY 2 2

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nancy L.C. Steele, Executive Director Chip Norton, President Maxwell Wilson, Manager, Sustaining Flows Tony Goia, Vice President Tracy Stephens, Manager, Habitat Restoration Jeni O'Callaghan, Secretary Matthew Wilson, Manager, Habitat Resortation Brent Bitz, Treasurer Karon Leigh, Manager, Marketing & Communications Peggy Chaikin Matthew Gilbert, Financial Services Administrator Max Castillo Virginia Weis, Administrative Assistant Susan Culp Elaine Nichols, Habitat Restoration Field Supervisor Jennifer Diffley Laura Jones, Community Engagement Coordinator Marsha Foutz Isaac Dudley, Business Development Coordinator Siera Russell Tod Young, Communications Coordinator Harry Sweet Benjamin Kowalewski, Habitat Resortation Coordinator Emily Garding, GIS Specialist con't next page

If you love the Verde River and its tributaries, such as , Sycamore Creek, Oak Creek, and Creek, please ACT NOW TO HELP Friends work collaboratively to restore habitat, sustain flows, and promote community stewardship.

DONATE, VOLUNTEER, & LEARN at VERDERIVER.ORG 3 LETTER FROM THE 3 “Working collaboratively for a healthy Verde River.” PRESIDENT This has been the modus operandi of Friends since our inception in 2007.

Partnerships + Collaborations

I've learned that in order to achieve our vision of a healthy Verde River flowing through healthy communities, we need to build even more partnerships going forward.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. In 2007, the founders of Friends relied upon a small group of volunteers to donate their passion and their time to complete river projects in the Verde River Greenway Natu- ral Area. The geographic and social scale of our current work bears little resemblance to those early days. The vision, how- Chip Norton, Board President ever, remains the same, as does the critical role that volun- teerism and financial resources plays in conservation work. "Nothing occurs Thanks to your support, in FY19: The Habitat Restoration team treated 800 acres of invasive without a plants, monitored over 3,000 acres, and created 28 seasonal successful jobs.

team-building The Sustaining Flows team sold water offset credits to six effort that buyers through the Verde River Exchange thus keeping 3.8 million gallons of water in the watershed and partnered with includes agencies, The Nature Conservancy to create the Verde River Watershed tribes, counties, Report Card.

academic The Promoting Community Stewardship team hosted and institutions, participated in dozens of successful community events, rec- ognized volunteers and donors, launched the new organiza- municipalities, tion brand, increased Verde Conservation Partners. agricultural All these accomplishments lead us closer to forever- producers, flowing rivers and streams that provide benefits for people nonprofit and nature. Nothing occurs without a successful team-build- ing effort that included agencies, tribes, counties, academic organizations, institutions, municipalities, agricultural producers, nonprofit and private organizations, and private landowners. landowners." Last but not least, businesses, volunteers, foundations, and individuals provide the fuel that powers everything: time Friends Staff, con't: and money. Erin Burk, Field Assistant, Seasonal Aidan Cyra, Field Assistant, Seasonal Sincere thanks from all of us at Friends for Cohen Klinger, Sustaining Flows making our work possible. Intern You are the champions of the Verde Watershed!! Maya Rappaport, Sustaining Flows Kind Regards, Chip Norton Intern President, Friends of the Verde River 4

RESTORING VWRC Partners: Conservation Corps HABITAT Arizona Department of Environ- mental Quality Arizona Game and Fish Department Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Arizona State Parks Arizona Wildlife Federation City of Cottonwood Friends of Verde River The Friends' Habitat Resortation team met with collaborative parnters David Lewis and Vivian Stevens of National Forest Foundation the - Nation's (YAN) Environmental National Park Service Protection Department (EDP). Natural Resources Conservation District Vivian told us, "water is life. People came to this Natural Resource Conservation area for the river. It is not just the water, it is the life that Services the water brings. It is ceremonial, sustaining life, and Northern Arizona University medicinal, giving shelter." Oak Creek Watershed Council There has always been a strong connection be- RiversEdge West Project tween people and the river. The EPD is passionate about The Nature Conservancy what they do to make tribal lands better for people, The Vetraplex plants and animals. "We’ve gotten too high above the animals, thinking we are better than them and don’t Town of Camp Verde understand plants and animals. The land, water, plants Town of Clarkdale and animals all have value." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Verde River Institute David Lewis with the EPD says, "we want a healthier Yavapai-Apache Nation river, we want native plants for the livelihood of our Yavapai College people. We are pleased with our growing collaborative relationship with Friends."

It is an ongoing fight against invasives with 10 miles of river and only a two man crew. Friends and YAN are allies helping to fight the invasives through the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition (VWRC)."

"It is not just the water, it is the life that the water brings. The river is ceremonial, sustaining life, and medicinal, giving shelter." - Vivian Stevens 5 5

SUSTAINING 5 FLOWS By Kim Schonek, Verde River Projects Manager for the Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy has worked collaboratively with Friends of the Verde River for more than a decade on projects ranging from invasive plant management to water resources planning.

Friends is a valuable local partner that addresses key community concerns and builds collaboration among diverse stake- holders.

Having a strong partnership between Friends and the Conservancy has allowed us to accomplish more than if the groups were "Friends is a valuable working separately by ensuring we are de- local partner that veloping capacity in both organizations and diverse relationships. addresses key

One key strategy that Friends and the community concerns Conservancy have worked on is developing and building informed stakeholders around a variety of critical issues. collaboration among

In an effort to increase awareness and diverse stakeholders." engagement around water issues we have formed the Sustaining Flows Council. This group is made up of community leaders elected officials and other large water users. Verde River Exchange Partners: Merkin Vineyards and Osteria Max Wilson, Friends Sustaining Flows Page Springs Cellars Program Manager, has been a representa- The Fish's Garden tive from Friends on this group and critical Rainbow Acres to bringing a informed science perspective The State Bar and diverse background to the group. Sinagua Malt Being new to the nonprofit sector allows Max to bring a unique, fresh perspective.

Working with Max is a delight. He is always positive, solutions oriented and equipped with a fishing tale. 6 6 PROMOTING COMMUNITY: EVENTS

Volunteer profile: Whit Manter

“By volunteering, you’re doing something good, but with Friends you get such positive energy and feedback, it’s also so much fun!”

Whit Manter and his wife Diana moved to the Village of Oak Creek from Massachusetts five years ago. After getting settled they started looking for way to connect with the commu- nity. Volunteer profile: Chris Jensen To help fulfil his birding passion, Whit attended a volunteer planning meeting for the “l’d volunteer 60 hours a week for Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival (VVBNF) Friends; just don’t ask me to in the fall 2017. keep track of them.” Whit volunteered to shadow Dena Greenwood, a legend in Arizona birding and a Chris Jensen spent most of his professional co-founders of the VVBNF. Whit intended to life educating youth. Since his retirement, he has shadow Dena, but sadly days later, Dena was spent his time volunteering for the Verde River. diagnosed with a life-ending illness. “My connection is the Verde River. I find anything that is tied to the river engaging.” "The festival is such a huge team effort. For me, I have a very deep commitment Chris volunteers with Friends in any capac- to continue Dena’s legacy." ity he can. He volunteers to help remove invasive plants with our Habitat Restoration program, he "The festival’s not fancy, it’s sincere, and is a safety boater for the Verde River Runoff and personal and tied to the river. Birding here is wears many hats for the Verde Valley Birding & connected to water and wetlands." Nature Festival. "Without the water from the rivers, creeks and streams, there would be fewer birds; “It’s a lot of work, putting up the tents, driv- the water is such an important factor." ing the trips, and then it’s over. It’s a relief, but it’s also sad that it’s over. It’s all connected. Without the River the birds wouldn’t be there. I work for issues that impact the river, but also get to work Thank You Event with some very committed people.” Sponsors!!

Arizona Public Service (APS) Jay's Bird Barn Brent Bitz Arizona Humanities National Park Service Chip Norton Chaparral Mountain Honey Co. Northern Arizona Audubon Society Peggy Chaikin City of Cottonwood Salt River Project (SRP) Marsha Foutz City of Sedona The Nature Conservancy Siera Russell Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce Verde Conservation 7 Partners: PROMOTING COMMUNITY: $1,000 or Higher VERDE CONSERVATION PARTNERS Blazin' M Ranch Chateau Tumbleweed Coldwell Banker Mabery Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & In 2019, Pillsbury Osteria Wine Company Page Springs Cellars raised over $1,000 Pillsbury Wine Company with their “Hatty The Mine Cafe Hour," a night of fun The State Bar held on the last The Vineyards at Cottonwood Friday of each $500-999 month. AZ Pines Motel Cottonwood Old Town At Pillsbury's tasting room in Old Town Cottonwood, visitors Association wear their favorite and often silliest hat for a chance to win a bottle That Brewery of wine, while supporting the Verde River with each purchase. Vino Di Sedona $250-499 Sam Pillsbury, owner of the Pillsbury Wine Company, is com- Cellar 433 mitted to making his mark at every turn and his great team has Sedona AZ Timeshare Rentals done just that through their support of a healthy Verde River. Karon Leigh Art Studio Olsen's Grain The Verde Conservation Partners are businesses that are $120-249 committed to a healthy Verde River. This network of businesses has been responsible for funding over 18 different community projects 10-12 Lounge in the Verde Valley over the last five years, all of which are focused 3 Kings Kasbar on conservation, education, and enhancement of our waterways. Ageless Touches Massage All Things Creative Thanks to these donations, funding raised in FY19 will be Century 21 Sexton Realty used for two projects. The City of Cottonwood will construct of a Clarkdale Kayak Company segment of the Blowout Wash Trail, and the Town of Clarkdale will Four Eight Wineworks Multi-Etch LLC construct a bathroom at the popular Tuzigoot river access point. Ocotillo House AIRBNB Red Rooster Cafe “We are so proud to be conservation partners Salt Mine Wine Su Casa with Friends of the Verde River. We do a “Hatty Taylor & Huntley Financial Group Hour” every last Friday of the month at Pillsbury The Flatiron Cafe Wine Company. It’s a ton of fun and you can Vortex ATV feel really good that 15% of your purchase from Winery 1912 5-9pm will help conserve the Verde River.” - Valerie Fisch, Pillsbury

Top: Pillsbury Wine Company Team.

Right: Cottonwood visitors pose for a picture during "Hatty Hour" 8 8 FRIENDS APPRECIATES THE KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY Deirdre Dincesen Cottonwood OF ALL SUPPORTERS Douglas Dombek $5,000-$9,999 Ben Bassous Helen Jones Gertrude Elkins Rick Clarke Beth Franklin Brent Bitz Stephanie Fagan Trijintje Desch Molly Goulden Mary Hadsal Desert Willow Marty Hredzak Lisa Pracchia Robert Hammerle $1,000 - $2,500 Robyn Interpreter Harry Lampros James Handrix Liza Noland Wade Albrecht Leslie Hoy Dale Graham Amanda Webster Dexter Allen Mike Irons Marsha Foutz Bob Bell Diana Bishop Kristen Jesperson Jeni & Mike O'Callaghan Carolyn Genatissio Chad Campbell Marc Luckey Chip Norton Denise Kelly Mark Clark Karen Lyons Jennifer Diffley JoEllen Alberhasky Greg Cunningham Judith Manocchia Susan Culp Ralph Clemmer Anne Epstein Melissa McMaster The Diffley Family Linda Stitzer Gary Ewert Susan Meyer Abigail Disney Leslie Vienneau Mark Fechser Diane Phelps Mary Huntley Rebekah Grmela Jo Ann Forristal Nancy Spinelli Nancy & Bruce Steele Chris Less Robert Frescura Darwin Steele Linda Trubitz Steve Betcher Janet Grove Martha Strachan Kimberly Weed Dave Meyers Joanne & Joe Gunning Laurie Sudol John Bacon Diane Lenz Bronson Tab Black Hawk Stacy Beaugh Nancy McCleskey Tina Whithorn $500 - $999 Ramsey Boehner Samuel Morey Anne Worthington William Cullen Stephanie Nolan Tallie Segel Peggy Chaikin Alan Dulaney Lisa O'Neill Fawn Clark Kimberly & Nick Schonek Kathy Dunham Ryna Painter Crispin Enguerra Gary Wagner Joel Eide Laurie Parker Beth Hart Harry Sweet Lora Gale Doug Pillips Marcia Jepson Siera Russell Charles German Mary Phoenix Scott Law Bob & Kristen Rothrock Michael Graves Kore Redden Martha Lysell Eric Moore Holly Harman Louise Schellenberg Wilfredo Magana Max Wilson Nancy Heywer Anna Schrenk Douglas Manderscheild Kathy Davis John Hogsett Corinne Shaw Camille Merrell Christopher Frost Dave Irvine Clara Steele Edwin Morris Leann & Kevin Norton Daniel Kates Helene Tack Sharman Nittoli Jimmy & Robin Whatley Aristides Nafpliotis Lee Wymer Fred Ramirez Yavapai-Apache Nation John Neville Mathieu Brown Bob Ries Lea Parker Erin Broadbent Reshard Riggins Beaver Jack Rathejen Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer Vickie Scott $100 - $499 Beverly Sass William & Janet Regnar Barbara Strachan Malik Simmonds Teresa Unwin Karin Topping Claudia Hauser Joe Spangler Michael Wellborn Vichal Trivedi Mark Foster Joan Steninger Martha Liermann Susan Stanton Jeri Higgins Tracy Stephens Phyllis Webb Marie McCormick Tony Gioia Allyson Tilton Jonathan Fuller Tyler Prehn Deanna Hodson Jane Whitmire Alison Jones Crystal Chamberlain Alexandra & Chris Boothe Dragonfly Gregory Luckey Esther Henselmans BJ Davis Up to $99 Ellen Roberts Elizabeth Marsh Patricia George Roxanne Wessel Kristen McCall Brigit Loewenstein Josephine Firmani Robyn Aamundstad John Peters Lyn Major Annie Melyarl Chris Brinkmeyer Michael Terezoni Tracey McConnell Alison Marino James Dickover Jonathan Montgomery Laura Moser Carole Dvorak Bryan Less Jessie Cronquist Dennis Tomko Shay Pearce Gleen Sinn James Johnson Gary Verburg Elizabeth Duvall Amber Benally Jeri Labato Thomasene Cardona Mark Hardin Tina Blake Catherine Ransom Laura Jones Peggy Alexander Heidi Bohlin James Garthy Louise Spivack Kyla Allen Ron Condon Jack Meckson Erik Berg Rodolfo Dieguez THE CRUCIAL WORK FRIENDS ACCOMPLISHES CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU DONORS!! THANK YOU FRIENDS' VOLUNTEERS FOR DEDICATING 9 2,200 HOURS OF YOUR TIME, ENERY, AND EXPERTISE

Jim Allen Sara Gabrielsen Gayle Morris Nanette Armstrong Rob Gibbs Ray Morrison Martin Ball Connie Gilmore Elaine Nichols Patti Balt Tony Gioia Lisa O'Neil Peggy Barksdale Jim Graham Joan Otterson Dave Beach Kathleen Green Rosa Palarino Margie Beach Patricia Greenltch Maggie Parrish George Benatz Jamie Guyn David Perkens A B Berman Jeanmarie Haney Roland Posten Max Boehm Homer Hansen Terence Pratt Rob Bonner Barbie Hart Taryn Quenzer Rick Bonney Brooks Hart James Quinn Nick Brewer John Hart Melissa Robinson Linda Bringham Scott Hartman Bob Rothrock Lyle Brooks Charley Hawkens Kristen Rothrock Nancy Brown Kay Hawklee Beverly Sass Bob Bush James Heywood Marianne Schaefer Beth Bustya Amanda Honwytewa Teresa Schwickerath Patti Byk Becki Jensen Taylor Sheriff Marcia Byrd Chris Jensen Donna Sites Nancy Carroll Stephanie Jones Ben Smith Christine Casey Anna Kaczmarek Jeremy Smith Steven Max Castillo Jan Kerman Linda Sogge Jack Cecil Benny KIng Elizabeth Spangler Virginia Chanda Steve King Joseph Spangler Sebra Choa John Kinnamon Lari Spire Laura Clark Susan Koepnick Joe Stack Patsy Clau Ruthann Kroese Tracy Stephens Donna Coffin Debra LaFrance Vivian Stevens Colette Condon David Lanning Hall Stoddard Ron Condon Jayne Lauman Abbie Swavee Steve Craig Micheal Levick Jeff Tanner Susan Craig Marina Lewis John Taylor Ryan Crouse Linda Litchfield Trisha Travis Dan Dagget Sarah Littenberg Eric VandeWater Jennifer Daugherty Karen Lyons Phyllis Webb Hank Dingemans Kathryn Mabry Amanda Webster Michael Durgain Whit Manter Jimmy Whatley Lisa Ehlers Reyes Mendoza Ruth Marie Wicks Ruth Elsesser Margaret Miller Max Wilson Marla Faye Bermie Molaskey Lynn Winslow Bob Formhals Bill Moore Dolly Yapp Marsha Foutz Peter Moravsik Kim Grill - Zolnowski Donors & volunteers listed are recognized for FY19 contributions, designated from July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 10 10 FY 2019 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

FY 19 was an amazing year, a transitional year, as we grew into the visionary strategic plan adopted in 2017 by the Board of Directors.

Their vision established our three-part mission: restore habitat, sustain flows, and promote community stewardship. We worked and played hard together, all in service of the mission.

You've asked us to grow and do more for the rivers; so we have.

You, faithful supporter, are why and how we do this work. You are there when we call for volunteers, members, supporters, donors, and those who pledge on Arizona Gives Day.

You express your love for the rivers in so many ways.

We need you more than ever to fulfil the vision of a healthy, flowing Verde River that supports our ecosystems and communities into the future.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the following major grant contributors and supporters:

Arizona Public Service National Forest Foundation Arizona Department of Game and Fish National Forest Foundation Arizona Humanities Council RAIN: Rural Activation and Innovation Network Arizona State Forestry RiversEdge West Arizona Water Protection Fund Salt River Project Bureau of Land Management The Nature Conservancy Coconino National Forest US Fish and Wildlife Service Freeport McMoRan, Inc. Walton Family Foundation Institute For Applied Ecology Yavapai Apache Nation 11 Dear River-Lover, 11 THANK YOU FROM Looking back on the past year, one thing truly THE EXECUTIVE stands out for me: a deep and abiding sense of gratitude for the work we’ve done together and DIRECTOR how you have supported Friends of the Verde Riv- er.

Maybe you are a business owner who contrib- uted a part of your earnings to us or held an event on our behalf, thank you!

Maybe you are retired or still working, but you’ve become a monthly or annual giver, thank you!

Maybe you’ve volunteered of your precious time at a river clean up or the birding festival or the conference, thank you!

Nancy Steele, Executive Director If you have given of your time and treasure in any way that benefits our work, thank you! "If you value a flowing river, We are grateful to the foundations and corporations, nonprofits and for profits, we need you! individuals and government agencies that puy their funds to work for the river.

If you value We are grateful to our many partners, including standing shoulder-to-shoulder with The healthy Nature Conservancy Arizona on river conservation. wildlife, we We are grateful to the coalitions of cities, need you! agencies, businesses, Yavapai County, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and organizations who come together out of a belief in our ability to solve If you value our issues in collaboration.

communities I thank you for your commitment to our that love their vision of a healthy, flowing Verde River system.

riverside Sincerely, habitat, we Nancy Steele, Excutive Director need you!" JOIN CIRCLE OF FRIENDS If you have supported Friends of the Verde River with an annual gift in the past, thank you! We invite you to renew your support, as well as consider upgrading your contribution.

DONATION LEVELS:

$50 - Supporter Circle $100 - Conservationist Circle $250 - Preservationist Circle $500 - Protector Circle $1,000 - Leader Circle $2,500 - Silver Circle $5,000 - Gold Circle $10,000 - Platinum Circle

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