Barry Allan, OCWC Executive Director
Sedona AZ (November 8, 2012) – The Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) was awarded Nonprofit of the Year by the Sedona Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation, at the Spirit of Sedona 2012 Awards celebration. The award was presented by Stephanie Giesbrecht, member of the Advisory Board, who noted the importance of Oak Creek as a major tributary of the Verde River contributing as much as half of its volume at the confluence of both water courses.
In receiving the award on behalf of the Oak Creek Watershed Council, Barry Allan, OCWC Executive Director, thanked the Sedona Community Foundation for its generosity.
“We are also very grateful that this award has focused the spotlight on our watershed environment and the integrity of Oak Creek,” said Allan. “Oak Creek cannot continue to sustain the impact of hundreds of thousands of visitors every year without there being a change in behavior and attitude towards the diminishing quality of its water. If we are to become a truly vibrant community and meet the challenge of sustainable tourism, then our Verde Valley civic leaders must work together and take into full account the current and future economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism while addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and our watershed communities.”
The OCWC recently completed the Oak Creek Watershed Improvement Plan (OCWIP). Funded by a grant from ADEQ and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the OCWIP identifies problems associated with the impairment of Oak Creek by the fecal coliform Escherichia coli (E. coli), as well as solutions to those problems.
The development of the Oak Creek Community Outreach Program was also included in the grant and is designed to educate residents and visitors to Oak Creek in following protocols in its use.
In addition to the nonprofit award, the OCWC received a grant for capacity-building from the Sedona Community Foundation.
“We view the grant award as an investment in our watershed,” added Allan. “It will allow us to add part-time staff to help further develop our services for the community including water quantity and conservation, habitat degradation and the economic and social impact of these issues. We are very grateful to the Sedona Community Foundation.”
The Oak Creek Watershed Improvement Plan can be reviewed on the Oak Creek Watershed Council website at www.oakcreekwatershed.org along with a new video public service announcement. The Plan is also available at public libraries in City of Sedona and Coconino and Yavapai counties.
For information about how residents and visitors can learn more about the stewardship of Oak Creek, visit http://www.oakcreekwatershed.org.
The Oak Creek Watershed Council is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation and accepts volunteer and financial support. It is dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence for watershed stewardship, as well as preserving the integrity of Oak Creek and its tributaries.
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At its annual meeting in December 2012, the OCWC Board of Directors welcomed two new members, Kathy Dunham, MWS and David Peck, Assistant Engineer (City of Sedona) whose three year terms start on January 1, 2013. Outgoing members Kurt Harris, P.E. and Jim Sandoval were recognized for their years of service to the Council and Board.
The Board elected Gail Clement, Consulting Geologist, as its Chairperson for 2013, and Steve Estes as Vice-Chair. Judy Lewis will continue as Secretary, and Lee Luedeker, Treasurer. Other Board members include Cindy Dunn, Morgan Stine, and Josh Myers.
For the past three years, OCWC grant management team has received guidance, feedback and advice from the Watershed Improvement Commission. Even though the OCWIP has been completed, this citizen’s steering committee is being asked to continue in its ‘mentor’ role with the BMP implementation, and also to adjust its scope to include all (non-political) water issues pertaining to the Oak Creek Watershed. A limited number of environmentally concerned citizens and community leaders are being invited to join the WIC. For further information contact barry@oakcreekwatershed.org
In Memory
Jim McInnis, Master Watershed Steward, died December 10, 2012. Jim was born Dec. 26, 1933, in Mexico, Maine and is survived by his wife Harriet and daughter Melissa Theriault as well as others in his family. Jim was known for his Oak Creek fishing expeditions and volunteered his time as a member of OCWC during the development of the Oak Creek Watershed Improvement Plan shown here on a sampling session. The OCWC has set up the Jim McInnis MWS Scholarship Fund in his memory to help out future Watershed Stewards entering the program. You are welcome to donate to it on our website. Thank you for your continuing support and helping us to maintain a standard of excellence for watershed stewardship. We hope 2013 will be the Year of Sustainability in all we do together.