Dear Friends of the Verde River,

A few events on the horizon are “must attend”!

First, the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition is meeting on Wednesday, October 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the city of Prescott Town Hall, located at 201 S. Cortez Street in Prescott. The coalition is an organization formed by Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt and Yavapai County and so far appears to be organized around making sure the Big Chino Ranch Water Pipeline is built despite a stated mission to help protect the Upper Verde River watershed. Please attend and tell the coalition that you want to see their plans to mitigate/offset damages to the Verde River before they proceed with the pipeline construction.

Second, the Arizona Department of Water Resources is hosting road show presentations on the rural water resource proposals that it hopes to have introduced in the legislature in 2007. The proposals include a water management district pilot program and tools to give cities and counties the authority to deny developments that do not have adequate water supplies. See the calendar for dates and times of presentations in Flagstaff, Prescott, Cottonwood and Payson on October 25, 26 and 27.

Third, the “CreeksFest” Film Festival, sponsored by Prescott Creeks, is on Saturday, November 4. See the last page of the calendar for information about the five films to be shown, including A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek, an important documentary about the successful fight to restore this tributary to the Verde River. The film features the Center for Biological Diversity Board Chair Robin Silver and a number of other conservationists, including Mindy Schlimgen-Wilson, Marty Jakle, Andy Laurenzi, Andrew Fahlund and others who were pivotal in the effort to decommission the Arizona Public Service hydropower facilities.

The Save the Verde Campaign Needs YOU!
Job Opportunity: The Save the Verde Campaign has a position open for an outreach organizer for 30-40 hours/week. Responsibilities include: tabling at events, recruiting volunteers and maintaining the volunteer database, organizing attendance at important water related meetings, giving public presentations, coordinating rallies or events, possible research, and other outreach as necessary. The ideal candidate has good organizational and time management skills; an understanding of local politics and water policy (including knowledge of the Big Chino Water Ranch Pipeline Project and the Prescott AMA); exceptional communication skills (especially verbal); the ability to recruit and utilize volunteers, organize activists and plan rallies, work in coordination with other advocacy groups, and take direction and work independently; and a love for the Verde River ecosystem. Send a cover letter and resume or inquiries to: Michelle Harrington, Rivers Program Director; 602-628-9909; mharrington@biologicaldiversity.org; Center for Biological Diversity, PO Box 39629, Phoenix, AZ 85069.

Volunteer Opportunities: Give the campaign a couple hours and help us hand out flyers, make phone calls or write letters. You will also make a big difference by attending public meetings. Just showing up lets city and county decision-makers know that you’re paying attention and care about the issues. Contact Ashley Fine at 928-533-4309 or creasotebsh@yahoo.com for more information.

Calendar
Please check out our updated calendar of events! Note the numerous volunteer opportunities to help the campaign with outreach! If you have an item for the calendar, please contact Michelle Harrington at 602-628-9909 or mharrington@biologicaldiversity.org.

Little Drop of Water
The Center has collected more than a hundred beautifully decorated “Little Drops” as part of the Little Drop of Water project! Our goal is to gather at least 2,000 droplets. That’s where you come in. Download your own droplet today from the savetheverde.org web site. Write your notes for the Verde, promise to conserve water or request protection of the river’s flows, and mail them to us at: Little Drop of Water, Center for Biological Diversity, P.O. Box 39629, Phoenix, AZ 85069.

Contribute
The Center for Biological Diversity appreciates your interest and involvement in the Save the Verde campaign. Please visit savetheverde.org for other news and updates. You can also make a donation to this campaign from the web site! Please contribute today if you haven’t done so already.