Arizona Interfaith Power and Light and the Arizona Wildlife Federation invite you to learn how you can help support Monarch Butterflies and other native species in your own backyard. A panel of experts will share the current issues facing Monarchs in the Southwest, and what we as individuals, congregations and communities can do to try to ameliorate habitat loss in both the mountain and desert climates of Arizona. While we work to address the forces that erode the health of our planet overall, come learn what we can do individually and together to make a difference for this majestic species right now. Our speakers include Gail Morris, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, and Arizona Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists from the desert and the high country.

Watch the recording!

Resources for Helping Monarch Butterflies in Arizona.pdf

Josh Ruddick of the Arizona Master Naturalists talks about how trees can mitigate the heat island effect in our desert cities. Get our your laser temperature gauge--you'll want to test your backyard after watching this video!

Take a look at the data on growth and the decline in lowering temps.

Along with planting trees, you also have the power to affect policy on a national scale by letting our Arizona Senators, Sinema and McSally know how important it is for all of us to #actonclimate.

Installing raised garden beds gives you the opportunity to raise your own food and provides food and shelter for wildlife. Raised beds can increase your home value with beauty and self-sufficiency. Planting in your yard rebuilds habitat and helps cool the planet from increasing temperatures. 

Join TJ as he installs raised beds at his home in Chino Valley as he shows us tips and tricks for easy and low cost garden beds.

Want to attract more wildlife to your yard, even "just" songbirds and butterflies? Check out this video to learn how. 

Here's something you can do while you are waiting for that lawn to die back, send a letter to Senators Sinema and McSally to encourage them both to take strong leadership on climate change. We've made it easy for you to send a letter: https://azwildlife.org/Climate-Action-for-Wildlife

Dreaming about your new beautiful yard teeming with wildlife and native plants, check out the National Wildlife Federation's Gardening for Wildlife program here:  https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife

Check out the article in Ahwatukee Foothills News from May 14, 2020 : https://www.ahwatukee.com/opinion/article_fea436ae-953c-11ea-8e25-23193b525668.html

Champion of Conservation, Chair Liz Archuleta, Honored for Her Leadership
The Arizona Wildlife Federation presented the new Chair of Coconino County Board of Supervisors with an award recognizing her extensive track record of conservation leadership.

Flagstaff, AZ (May 5, 2020) — The Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) honored Liz Archuleta, Chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 5th for her dedication, service and leadership relating to her work in conservation.

“Supervisor Archuleta has been a true conservation leader for her community and we are proud to recognize her achievements,” said Scott Garlid, Executive Director of Arizona Wildlife Federation. He continued, “From her leadership addressing the massive impacts from the Schultz fire and floods to raising awareness on the impacts of climate change to Arizona’s communities, she continues to show all Arizonans what effective and dedicated leadership looks like.”

Chair Archuleta has been on the front lines of climate change, leading her community to deal with the effects of intense wildfires and the resulting floods. She educates other community leaders on the importance of adequately planning and allocating resources for these crisis events.

Among other accomplishments, Chair Archuleta has also chaired the Public Lands Committee at the National Association of Counties and has been a tireless advocate for public land conservation. She continues to ensure people understand that the Latinx community has centuries-old connections to our lands and through those cultural connections they remain strong stewards for conservation.

Archuleta is also a founder of the non-profit HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping and Hunting in the Outdoors) and promotes positive experiences outdoors for all Arizonans.

“Like the rest of Arizona, the citizens of Coconino County are currently struggling to deal with the impacts of a global pandemic and they will be well served by the leadership of Liz Archuleta as she assumes the chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors during these difficult times,” added Garlid.

Arizona Wildlife Federation encourages you to urge our leaders to act on climate. Send your letter here: https://azwildlife.org/Climate-Action-for-Wildlife

We thank Representatives Tom O'Halleran and Ann Kirkpatrick for being climate champions and we urge Senators Sinema and McSally to take bold leadership in bring climate solutions into national action. 

See the earned media in the Arizona Daily Sun: https://azdailysun.com/news/local/county-chairwoman-liz-archuleta-receives-conservation-award/article_0473aecf-6323-504c-a863-3c7b2ea3ffe0.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Certified Wildlife Habitats can even be accomplished just on the porch. Staffer Nikki Julien shows that with even just pots on the porch can create an amazing habitat for butterflies. The foliage also creates a sheltered micro-climate that keeps temps lower in summer and warmer in winter. Backyard garden can even help mitigate climate change. Check it out:

A personal missive on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Wednesday April 22nd

This past issue of AARP had an excellent look back at the first Earth Day through the eyes of one of the key student staff and founders, now 75 years old Dennis Hayes. That article is attached here in a PDF. You can review the history of Earth Day at this link;  https://www.earthday.org/history/

50th Anniversery of Earth Day April 20, 2020.pdf

Now some history that will age me very quickly with many of you;

At the time the planning was beginning for our first ever Earth Day on April 22nd 1970 as described in the attached article we were just

7-months past the August 15-18 1969 Woodstock Celebration and the killing of 4 Vietnam student  protesters at Kent State 13 days in the future on May 4th 1970. These 2 events occurred while 76 million "Baby Boomer's" born between 1944-64 filled our colleges and high-schools. 

High-school is where my personal interaction with Earth Day began. I was a 17 year old graduating Senior at Buena High-school in Sierra Vista Az and enrolled in an advanced biology class led by a Mr. Berringer. He (we) became aware of the planning for this first ever Earth Day and he encouraged the class to seriously engage in some fashion. What quickly evolved was myself and Doreen Ward taking on the mantles of Co-Chairs of a 30 minute all student assembly hall following lunch on April 22nd. The entire class along with some help from our HS thespian club came up with a couple of skits and we had large posters on stage. I asked the Coronado National Memorial Superintendent to be our invited 10 minute guest speaker, his name evades me but he did a great job and got applause. I recall the  first skit had large people sized yellow daisies coming out and withering away under dark clouds of smog. Of course the 2nd skit had the daisy's coming to life under a cloud of clean rain and then the bright sun come out smiling on a cleaned up and very blue healed earth who danced across the  stage...............

It was a grand time of promise  for we budding "environmentalists". I had been accepted to the University of Arizona College of what became in 1974 Renewable Natural Resources as an undergraduate wildlife biology student.  I had chosen a wildlife degree after reading both Rachael Carson's 1962 Silent Spring and Aldo Leopold's 1949  Sound County Almanac and spending a single day at work with an Az Game & Fish District Wildlife Manager at the age of 15 when I received my Eagle Scout award. What followed was 6 long years at the UA to complete my BS during which time the Vietnam War ended on April 30th 1975. Also during the early-mid 70's landmark environmental legislation like the Clean Air/Water Acts and the Endangered Species Act occurred all signed by Republican Richard Nixon.

My wildlife career with the AGFD from 77-97 was exciting and rewarding as it was and is an outfit out to do right by it's mission of "Managing Wildlife for Tomorrow". As we as a Board and national organization come face to face with what the science is telling us is climate change and feeling the need to have an affect I'm reminded of 19th century Sir Patrick Geddes statement "Think Globally but act Locally". I believe our  affiliates practice this every single project or event that they conduct and it behooves us to continue to do the same. 

Happy 50th Earth Day!

Glen