Wild Verde River

09/02/2026

Sharlot Hall Museum Lecture Series

The Upper Verde River: A Place with a Story to Tell

Presented by Joe Trudeau, President, Wildwood Ecological & Consultant, The Wilderness Society

When:Saturday September 12th | 2:00–3:00 PM
Where: Sharlot Hall Museum
415 West Gurley Street in Prescott, Arizona

Join us for a journey along the Upper Verde River exploring its rich natural, cultural, and geologic history from Indigenous heritage and historic ranches to its remarkable biodiversity.

www.wildverderiver.org

08/31/2026

And now, a word from Joe Trudeau

“The Upper Verde is a wild river and its floods are part of what makes it wild.”

Unlike rivers controlled by dams, the Upper Verde still experiences its natural flash flood regime, shaped by Arizona’s climate and the river’s undeveloped character.

These powerful floods may seem destructive, but they are a natural force that shapes the river, moves sediment, replenishes habitat, and supports the Verde's ecosystem.

🌐 www.wildverderiver.org
📲

08/26/2026

Did you know?

The Upper Verde River is a living connection to the people and cultures who have depended on it for generations.

The river’s high density of archaeological sites reflects the deep relationship the Yavapai and Apache peoples, and their ancestors, have with the Verde. These sites are tangible evidence of communities who relied on the river and its springs for survival and continue to regard them as essential to their culture, character, and spirituality.

Prescott National Forest internal reports document numerous heritage resources along the Upper Verde with many more along Sycamore Creek and Sycamore Canyon Spring, known in Apache as ‘Che’L chi Bis Bitu’—“red cliff spring.”

08/24/2026

The Verde River: Culture & History

“The Upper Verde River has such a high density of archaeological sites because the Yavapai and Apache people relied on the river for survival.” — Joe Trudeau

Prescott National Forest internal reports document 54 heritage resources along the Upper Verde between the western and eastern forest boundaries—all of which would qualify for the National Register of Historic Places.

Protecting the Upper Verde means protecting the region’s culture and heritage.

Learn more and get involved at www.wildverderiver.org

08/21/2026

Shout out to the Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce for their recent letter of support!

"When we preserve the Upper Verde, we protect the quality of place that our families, our businesses, and our economy all depend on.The Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce deeply values the Verde River and the communities it sustains. We support keeping the Upper Verde free-flowing for our families, our neighbors, future generations, wildlife, and the long-term vitality of Arizona's economy."

08/17/2026

Real progress in conservation doesn't happen overnight. It takes years of building awareness, earning support, and bringing communities together around a shared vision.

For more than 40 years, advocates have been working to protect one of Arizona's greatest natural treasures—the Upper Verde River.

Known as the Jewel of the Southwest, the Upper Verde River is vital to Central Arizona's ecology, biodiversity, outdoor recreation, local communities, and economy. Protecting this extraordinary river with a Wild & Scenic River designation ensures these benefits endure for generations to come.

📣 Contact your local city council members and elected representatives. Let them know you support a Wild & Scenic River designation for the Upper Verde River and why protecting this remarkable river matters.

Every conversation changes minds. Every voice builds
momentum!

Learn more, sign up for our newsletter, donate, and discover ways to get involved at www.wildverderiver.org.

08/12/2026

⏳ This work takes time...

Rivers don't protect themselves.

Achieving a Wild & Scenic River designation takes dedication, collaboration, and persistence. It requires local communities, organizations, and government leaders working together to protect these extraordinary places for future generations.
We're building momentum—one conversation, one partnership, and one supporter at a time.

Want to help protect the Upper Verde River?

💧 Visit our website to learn about the campaign.
📬 Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
🤝 Donate to support our work.
📲 Share our posts and help spread the word with your friends and family.

Every action—big or small—helps move us closer to permanent protection for this remarkable river.

www.wildverderiver.org

08/10/2026

🌿👀 I spy...

Can you find ALL Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) hidden in this drawing of the Upper Verde River?

These special values are what make a river eligible for Wild & Scenic River designation and the Upper Verde is full of them!
How many can you spot?

Drop your answers in the comments! ⬇️

The Outstandingly Remarkable Values are:

🌊 Scenery
🎣 Fisheries
🦅 Wildlife
🪨 Botany& Geology
🏛️ Cultural and Historical
🏕️ Recreational

🌐 www.wildverderiver.org
📲

08/08/2026

Do you have the spirit of adventure?

Check out this episode of Lost in Plain Sight, a local Prescott web series where Ron, Jason and Larry kayak Arizona’s beautiful waterway, the Verde River. Passing rapids, cliff dwellings and ancient forests on a strangely hot spring day.

The Upper Verde River is calling for your next Kayaking Trip!

Ron, Jason and Larry kayak Arizona’s beautiful waterway, the Verde ...

08/05/2026

Check out this interview with our beloved Joe Trudeau

https://www.facebook.com/100064356926836/posts/1466757485479468/?rdid=5qUIv6B0dPu4B0GS #

Join us for a conversation with conservationist Joe Trudeau as we take a deep dive into Arizona's conservation landscape!

In Episode 78 of the Arizona Wildlife Federation Podcast, we explore national monument and Wild and Scenic River protections, the ongoing debate over feral horses, and the challenge of balancing competing interests across Arizona's public lands.

Whether you're interested in conservation policy, public lands, or the future of Arizona's wildlife, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives on some of the state's most important issues.

Listen here or on your preferred podcast listening app 👉 https://podcastq5.podbean.com/e/arizona-conservation-conversations-with-joe-trudeau/