Verde River Basin Partnership and The Nature Conservancy irrigation techniques and agreements yield positive returns for Verde agriculture, fish and wildlife (Photo: Cheryl Zook, National Geographic)
Sedona AZ (February 11, 2014) – On Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., the Verde River Basin Partnership (Partnership) is sponsoring a presentation by Kim Schonek of The Nature Conservancy, “Best Wishes for Ditches and Fishes – This Verde Story’s Gone National” in the Yavapai Administrative Building, Prescott.
Even one day without water is a bad day for a fish. Ever wonder what our native fish do when irrigation ditches divert the river away from them? Kim Schonek does; and so do many of the irrigators on the Verde. Come hear about the projects sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and other funding resources launched by The Nature Conservancy and some Verde ditch companies.
In development is a new surface-water-flow paradigm making irrigation more efficient while leaving more water in-stream for wildlife – a win-win strategy. What’s working on the Verde may have application in the broader Colorado River Basin.
Using slides and video, Ms. Schonek will discuss successful techniques and agreements implemented here and elsewhere, highlighting the contributions to agriculture while reducing ecologic impacts. Their work recently achieved national attention when featured in both an in-depth article and a video by National Geographic’s News Watch.
To watch the National Geographic video on this story visit: Newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/12/05/smarter-irrigation-returns-water-to-arizonas-verde-river/
For the full article from National Geographic: Newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/09/03/arizona-irrigators-share-water-with-desert-river/
Kim Schonek is the Verde Projects Manager for The Nature Conservancy and on the board of the Friends of the Verde River Greenway. The presentation will be preceded by a brief update on the current activities of the Partnership and happenings around the watershed. Attendees will have the opportunity for a Q&A.
All are invited for this free morning event held in the Yavapai Administration Building Board Chambers, 1015 Fair Street, Prescott, Arizona. No RSVP is necessary.
The Partnership is a scientific and educational resource raising awareness among citizens and community leaders about the workings of Verde River Basin’s interconnected groundwater and surface water systems, and the life they support. To find out more about these events and other educational materials relating to shared water resources visit www.vrbp.org.
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