Sedona - Verde Valley
Published four times yearly Feb - May - Sept - Dec
September - November 2009
Visit our Web Site for more information! http://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/sedona
“Arizonans recognize that good planning at the local, regional, and state levels can return higher economic, social and environmental dividends. Arizonans have a responsibility to participate in this state’s governance and planning. Growing Smarter is about creating and sustaining healthy landscapes, livable communities and vibrant economies.”
From Growing Smarter Guiding Principles (Arizona)
As stated above we should grow smarter and use the existing well-thought out Community Plans endorsed by voters. No further changes should be made in these Plans without voter approval. Such “picking apart” of Community Plans destroy their integrity.
Do we want to become the area which tourists avoid and people do not want to live in, because of the traffic and reduced quality of life here? Have you read the book Lost Landscapes and failed Economies by T.M. Power which suggests some ‘growth’ is good, but further growth actually becomes a dis-incentive for an economy like our region?
With the Cottonwood proposed annexation of the 10-square miles along 89A from Cornville to Page Springs, Sedona near growth capacity, and the economic downturn just starting to peek upward, this is a good time to re-think our growth paradigm in the region. We can foster sustainable reasonable growth that is good for all , or we can destroy ourselves.
Persons interested in helping formulate alternative ideas and initiatives for growth, please contact marlenerayner@yahoo.com.
Ciera Crawley, 2009 Red Rock High School graduate, shown with her parents at our Groups’ July 11th Annual Potluck Picnic at Red Rock Crossing State Park. Great food and great
The 89A lighting matrix has still not been announced by ADOT. It is hoped that this delay is due to the required NEPA study and the study of targeted attractive, night-sky compliant sustainable sidewalk or pedestrian alternatives for safety vs. 35 ft high continuous highway lighting under the pretense we are an “urban arterial” (big misnomer here).
SR 89A deserves the same aesthetic considerations given Uptown and SR 179. Sedona Sierra members WILL get an email notice from us when/if further information is available, or the required public meetings are scheduled.
This course is for home owners, renters, gardeners, farmers, ranchers, landscapers, architects, builders, developers, civic planners, educators, environmentalists, students and anyone who wishes to learn how to live sustainably and apply the principles of holistic design to their respective fields.
The 72-hour curriculum will cover Bill Mollison’s PERMACULTURE DESIGNERS MANUAL plus more recent material. The course consists of four 3-day weekends held in Flagstaff , Tucson , the Verde Valley & Sedona. The extended weekend format is designed to accommodate local residents’ schedules and encourage their participation in this valuable learning experience taught by national and regional experts in permaculture and sustainability.
The course includes classroom instruction, field trips, hands-on activities, required and suggested reading and completion of a permaculture design project. Upon their successful completion, the student will receive Permaculture Design Certification. See the website listed above for details.
Did you know that Yavapai County’s Wolf Landfill will be filled way ahead of schedule? Did you know that the county had to negotiate for Forest Service land for expanding that landfill, because we waste so much? Did you realize the landfill is built over an aquifer, which is now contaminated and is becoming a problem for residents in the area? Is this what we want our National Forests to become - landfills??
It is a fact that at least 85-90% of our ‘waste’ can be recycled. Residents have an obligation to recycle all they can to reduce the waste at landfills, the waste of valuable energy and the lose of natural resources.
We should all carry reusable bags to the store so we do not use either paper or plastic bags, which clutter our fragile landscape.
Recycling rates are low: Sedona 12-15% and 5-10% in Cottonwood. If we insisted that manufacturers take responsibility for the end-life of their products, more product redesign would occur. Manufacturers would have to resolve how to dispose of appliances and electronics in a sustainable manner vs. filling up the landfills. Fees assessed on manufacturers or products could be used to fund a much needed Resource Recovery Park in this region. If you are interested in moving waste issues forward in this Verde Valley region, contact marlenerayner@yahoo.com.
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Remember the 7Rs:
Reduce (source reduction) or Refuse to buy
Redesign (to make products easily recyclable)
Repair (fix, especially redesigned products)
Reuse (durable vs. single use i.e., cameras, napkins)
Recycle (everything else)
Regulate (to make redesign happen, if needed)
If you would like to volunteer, have any questions, advice or meeting suggestions, please call us:
Chair/ Newsletter Editor Marlene Rayner (Sedona) 928-203-0340
Vice Chair Bob Donahue (Cornville) 928-639-1885
Conservation Chair Brian Myers 928-204-1703
Treasurer Bertha Cook 928-634-1115
Secretary Nancy Baer 928-203-0340
Outings Chair Nancy Reynolds 928-649-3065
Development David Michael davidmichael@sedona.net
Education Dennis Rayner 928-203-0340
Regulations Ron Vernasoni
Webmaster John Sheffield jsheffield40@msn.com
Mark your calendars for the following meetings. All meetings are open to the public, members and potential new members. Notices and descriptions are also on our Group website http://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/sedona/. Contact marlenerayner@yahoo.com or 928-203-0340.
Thursday, September 3, 2009 6-8 pm
70-Whitetail Lane Sedona AZ
Regular Executive Committee Meeting. All are welcome.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 6-8 pm
70-Whitetail Lane Sedona AZ
Regular Executive Committee Meeting. All are welcome.
Thursday, November 12, 2009 Free Film 6 pm
At Sedona Public Library. Lords of Nature is the story of a science now discovering top carnivores as revitalizing forces of nature and of a society learning tolerance for beasts they once loathed. Can people and predators coexist? Could the survival of wolves and cougar be linked to the survival of birds, butterflies, even wildflowers?
Saturday, December 12, 2009 6-8 pm
70 Whitetail Lane Sedona AZ 86336
Potluck Holiday Appetizer Party for Sierra Members! and Friends
RSVP by December 7th marlenerayner@yahoo.com or call 203-0340