Watchable Wildlife Working Group

1. Promote designated watchable wildlife resources within the Verde Valley region, encouraging visitation and stewardship.

   • Develop a strategic plan for the Verde Valley Tour of the Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience (AWWE), working with the Flagstaff-based AWWE Peaks Tour.

   • Conduct strategic site improvement projects, engaging volunteers.

   • Establish funding for watchable wildlife in the Verde Valley.

   • Create and execute a communication plan for website materials, marketing, outreach presentations, a logo, and signage templates to be used at all sites.

2. Educate the public about the unique wildlife, geologic, biological and cultural resources of these watchable wildlife sites.

   • Create integrated educational materials on wildlife, geology, biology, and culture.

Short Term:

• Complete the strategic planning effort with input and support from AWWE’s Peaks Tour collaborative.

  • Meet with AWWE collaborators from Flagstaff for information-sharing, network-building

  • Conduct initial public engagement to gather ideas on site development and programming

  • Inventory all 15 proposed sites using criteria developed by the Verde Front Watchable Wildlife Working Group

  • Complete strategic plan document, including an Action Plan that identifies priority projects and funding needs

• Create excitement and awareness for the Verde Valley Tour as a new AWWE Program.

  • Develop Verde Valley Tour pages integrated with AWWE website

  • Develop marketing materials and presentations, including logo and signage templates for sites.

  • Raise awareness of AWWE Verde Valley Tour within the region, among partners and potential partners, and in the public

• Conduct strategic site improvements.

  • Install 15 site identifier signs

  • Engage volunteer stewards in the labor and celebration of each site

• Secure sustainable funding for the program.

  • Investigate sustainable funding sources

  • Pursue grants to support AWWE products, site improvements, and capacity needs in support of the Action Plan

Long Term/Ongoing:

• Conduct marketing and outreach for the AWWE Verde Valley Tour.

  • Share AWWE network contacts and mailing lists to get the word out.

  • Expand and deepen network with local businesses, recreation providers, and decision-makers.

  • Embrace established events (i.e. Verde Valley Birding Festival, Verde River Day, etc.) to share AWWE messages

• Develop cohesive interpretive materials and messages.

  • Infuse talks, tours, and events with AWWE branding.

  • Develop additional and enhanced interpretive programs for the public.

• Site restoration and stewardship.

  • Implement the Action Plan of priority projects.

  • Collaborate with land managers to determine appropriate levels of development, design, and operational support (establish guidelines for wildlife sensitive site design for recreational amenities in support of watchable wildlife).

• Secure sustainable funding.

  • Build community business and organizational relationships to support long-term funding.

  • Investigate potential of establishing AWWE account within existing partner organizations.

  • Secure sustainable funding sources to fund operation and programmatic costs associated with AWWE.