FWPP in an article by the AZ Republic!

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The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) along with other forest thinning efforts are highlighted in this recent report by the AZ Republic. In addition to FWPP, the article examines other ongoing forest thinning and fire risk reduction efforts in Northern Arizona.

Additionally, the article addresses some of the honest truths about the work FWPP and others are doing. Moving forest thinning forward in challenging terrain and across a large scale is expensive and full of challenges. FWPP would not be possible without the hard work of so many other organizations and dedicated people trying their best, despite the challenges, to move our forests in the right direction. Please take 15 minutes to read about it!

Read the entire article here: FWPP in AZ Republic News

Film Screening of “Era of Mega Fires” at Science on Tap

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Please join us on June 21st, from 6:30 – 8:00pm at the Green Room in downtown Flagstaff for a screening of the film “Era of Mega Fires”. This film, collaboratively produced by the US Forest Service and North40 Production, discusses the growing trend in large, high severity wildfire across the Western United States.

The film traces the past forest management practices over the last 100 years that have led to the current problem, an “epidemic of trees”. The film discusses several ways local communities can take action to increase the health of the forest, and protect their communities from damaging wildfire.

Can cities be saved from wildfires? Flagstaff, Arizona, offers a case study

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The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project is featured as a case study in this article published by the Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE). The article retraces the history of FWPP and the current status of FWPP implementation. The article also highlights similar projects occuring in Ashland, Oregon and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The article identifies the common successes and challenges of this type of work across the West.

Read the full article here:

http://www.fseee.org/2018/05/22/can-cities-be-saved-from-wildfires/

FWPP Phase 1 Update

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On March 31st, 2018 the US Forest Service reoffered the FWPP Phase 1 (Elden Base) Timber Sale Contract.   This 642-acre area is at the base of Mt Elden: it was previously sold but ended with little work completed this past December.   The Coconino National Forest will open bids on May 1st, 2018.   The sale period is for up to one year.

 

For further information on this sale, please contact the Flagstaff Ranger District, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, (928)-527-3600, or the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1827 S. Thompson St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001, (928) 527-3600.

2018 FWPP Project Update

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City and FWPP project leadership have produced and released a project update on the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project. The update highlights the work we have done since the start of the project five years ago. Updates includes how much work has occurred and where, how much of the voter approved bond has been used to support the ongoing project, and how much outside, leverage funding has been brought into the project with the help of all our partners.

The project has come a long way since the beginning, and the City team is still working hard as the project continues to be implemented. Take a look at the report!

Full report:

FWPP Status Update CCR – Update 02082018

Trail and Area Closures in the Rocky Ridge and Lower Oldham areas in effect until December 31st , 2017

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Due to current and ongoing mechanical forest thinning operations, trail and area closures are in effect. Please be on the lookout for the posted area closures signs, which will indicate specific trail and area closure boundaries. For your safety and the safety of our contractors, please do not enter any closed areas or trails, and do not approach heavy equipment in the area. Please see the “FWPP Area Closure Order” as well as the “FWPP Area Closure Map” for more information.

Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project Celebrates Five Years with Mother Road Brewery

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Contact: Matthew Millar, MMillar@flagstaffaz.gov
Promorional Flier: FWPP 5 Year Invitation

FLAGSTAFF, AZ – The Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project is celebrating its 5-year anniversary with a special community event at Mother Road Brewing Co. on Fri, Oct. 13. Since great-tasting beer starts with clean water, there is reason to celebrate a project that reduces fire risk to area watersheds.

The FWPP was approved by city voters through a $10 million bond initiative in November 2012. The project is a partnership effort between city of Flagstaff, the Coconino National Forest, and the state of Arizona to help reduce the risk of severe wildfire and post-fire flooding in critical watersheds.

“FWPP at its core is a community project,” said Mike Elson, Flagstaff district ranger for the Coconino National Forest. “It’s a truly collaborative community approach to a challenge we are all facing together. That’s why we have reason to celebrate, and it’s why we are seen as a model for so many other communities to consider as well.”

The project has achieved significant progress delivering on the initiative’s agenda that was presented to voters in the 2012 general election. An environmental analysis of more than 15,000 acres was completed and approved in the first three years—a triumph for a project of its complexity and size. Over the past five years, crews and contractors have mobilized to implement fuels reduction treatments on nearly 5,000 acres throughout the project footprint, including Observatory Mesa, state lands within the City and on federal land in the Dry Lake Hills area.

“FWPP has put the city of Flagstaff in a national leadership role in demonstrating how local government, in partnership with state and federal agencies, can effectively address wildfire hazard and the protection of critical watersheds,” said Paul Summerfelt, wildland fire management officer for the city of Flagstaff. “This is the first, and only, voter-approved project of its kind in the country, and the citizens of Flagstaff deserve all the credit for making this happen.”

To celebrate the project’s 5-year milestone, Mother Road Brewery created a special batch of “FWPP watershed beer” and will tap it at the anniversary event. This is a special partnership between a local business that uses water for its products and an initiative aimed at preserving critical watersheds and the community’s water supply.

The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership invites the public to join members of the FWPP in celebrating the project’s progress and success at Mother Road Brewing Co., 7 S. Mikes Pike, from 6–7 p.m. on Fri, Oct. 13. For more information about FWPP, visit http://www.flagstaffwatershedprotection.org.