Watchable Wildlife Working Group

Purpose

The Watchable Wildlife Working Group has designed a Watchable Wildlife program that is integrated into the Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience (AWWE) Peaks Tour, based in Flagstaff, AZ.

The Verde Valley Tour aims to create and encourage public enjoyment and stewardship of a designated network of watchable wildlife sites along the Verde River and uplands.

Coordination

Conveners: Friends of Verde River and Arizona Game & Fish Department

Facilitation: Southwest Decision Resources

Meetings

As needed

Current Participants

American Rivers

Arizona Game and Fish

Arizona State Parks

Audubon Society

Friends of the Verde River

National Park Service

Salt River Project

The Nature Conservancy

Town of Camp Verde

Town of Clarkdale

US Forest Service

Yavapai County

Goals

  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.

Moving Forward

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.