Payson’s sitting on the proverbial fountain of youth. Read moreOn the trail to the fountain of youth
Backyard bird-watchers are invited to come to the Tonto National Monument between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17. Read moreChristmas Bird Count at Tonto National Monument
Elk. They are one reason many people move to the Rim Country. They love to see them and many like to feed them to dra… Read moreShould feeding wildlife be banned?
The U.S. Air Force wants to lower the altitudes at which it can conduct training flights and deploy incendiaries (cha… Read moreAir Force wants to drop altitude of training flights over Rim Country
Young people between the ages of 17 and 20 have a good chance at summer employment with the Youth Conservation Corps. Read moreYouth Conservation Corps has summer jobs
A free recycling event for electronics and household hazardous waste is planned from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 21… Read moreStart gathering electronics and household hazardous waste
The University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension is hosting an in-person Biochar Kiln Demonstration from 9… Read moreBiochar demonstration at Pine brush pit April 25
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all ages can learn more about the Highline Trail Restoration Initiative from noon t… Read moreForest Service invites public to Highline Trail restoration celebration
More and more people are buying small chicken coops and setting them up in their backyards as pets or for producing e… Read moreUSDA researchers share tips for raising healthy backyard chickens
Work is under way on the Payson Ranger District to restore one of Arizona’s fens as part of the Tonto National Forest… Read moreTonto Forest begins watershed restoration project
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will build and deploy fish structures for Show Low Lake between March 29… Read moreHelp improve fish habitat and fishing in Show Low
The mythical “Johnny Appleseed” may not have made his way to the Rim Country, but the area’s pioneers did similar wor… Read moreHeritage apple cuttings sought for Payson’s Main Street Apple Orchard
At its Feb. 1 meeting, the Gila County Board of Supervisors approved signing two notices of grant and agreement award… Read moreCounty getting $12.2 million for watershed protection
The count is in — the Payson Christmas Bird Count, that is. Since 1900, the National Audubon Society has conducted bi… Read moreLocal birders take part in annual Christmas bird count
One requirement of a landfill in Arizona is specially lined ponds for runoff. The west pond at Buckhead Mesa Landfill… Read moreBuckhead Mesa Landfill pond needs repairs
The public lands around Payson contain hundreds or perhaps thousands of prehistoric sites that are wide open to any h… Read moreShoofly: Area’s most developed archaeological site an introduction to earliest to enjoy Rim life
Goat Camp Ruin is a prehistoric Northern Salado site owned by the Town of Payson, which acquired it from the Forest S… Read moreA quick look at Goat Camp Ruin archaeological site
The towns and communities of the Mogollon Rim offer their own unique challenge to gardening and landscaping. Learn ab… Read moreNative plants for mountain landscapes
Green Valley Water, formerly known as the Northern Gila County Sanitary District, continues to bring state-of-the-art… Read moreState-of-the-art tech goes on-line for Green Valley Water
The Bush Fire, which started on June 13, 2020 and consumed 193,455 acres in the mountains west of Tonto Basin, caused… Read moreCounty gets money to deal with Bush Fire damage
Pocket gophers, rabbits, ground squirrels, mice and birds — as horticulture program coordinator in Greenlee County, B… Read moreDealing with rodents and other garden pests
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) have extended the deadlin… Read moreComment period extended for fish stocking
Peter Aleshire, consulting publications editor with the Payson Roundup, was recently awarded the Payson Lions Club Co… Read moreWriter awarded
I admit that I was initially excited about the Canyon Creek Hatchery (CCH) Gila trout propagation efforts because I w… Read moreCanyon Creek Hatchery Gila trout propagation efforts
Gone are the days that visitors to Green Valley Park would see Ernie or Bernie perched atop the willow tree on the bi… Read moreNew pair of bald eagles at park
Do you enjoy catching fish in Arizona? Would you like to see the stocking of fish in our lakes and streams continue? … Read morePublic comments sought on draft environmental assessment for fish stocking
The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimates that this year could see increased instances of wildlife coming into c… Read moreBear activity expected to rise in Payson
Grab your binoculars and field guide May 8 for a morning spent tallying towhees and counting cardinals as a participa… Read moreBirders needed for Global Big Day Annual Count May 8
Learn more about Arizona Fire Adapted Communities at a free online webinar from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 5. Read moreFire Adapted Communities webinar planned
The U.S. Forest Service is investigating a significant die-off of juniper trees across much of central and northern Arizona. Read moreDrought causing juniper die-off in central and northern Arizona
Arizona and Rim Country’s changing climate — and creation of a new “Climate Masters” outreach program through the Uni… Read moreClimate change and outreach webinar planned
A free volunteer training webinar is set Thursday, May 6, to teach people how to identify and report significant weat… Read moreBecome a storm spotter
The count is in — the Payson Christmas Bird Count, that is. Since 1900, the National Audubon Society has conducted bi… Read moreLocal birders take part in the Annual Christmas Bird Count
As people that live in, or visit the Rim Country, we are fortunate to have many chances to enjoy Arizona’s diverse wi… Read moreLocal groups working for wildlife
The old saying that “a few bad apples will spoil the whole barrel” applies to local recycling. Gila County is ready t… Read moreGila County could discontinue recycling if dumping doesn’t stop
Arizona’s bald eagles are back, and they will soon be preparing for the next generation of eagles at breeding sites s… Read moreRestrictions in place for bald eagle breeding season
The U.S. Forest Service has agreed to undertake a comprehensive monitoring plan to figure out whether Mexican spotted… Read moreForest Service agrees to boost spotted owl monitoring
The Mogollon Sporting Association may not get enough credit for its role helping Rim Country wildlife, youth and the … Read moreAZGFD honors MSA during Payson meeting
Yellow Bluestem Invasive grass is the subject of the next University of Arizona Cooperative Extension webinar 11 a.m.… Read moreLearn about invasive grasses in webinar
The next two webinars by the Gila County Cooperative Extension Service, at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, foc… Read moreWildfire preparedness, response and recovery webinars
October is the last month of operation at the Blattner Brush Pit until next season. Read moreBlattner Pit open through October
CAMP VERDE — The Verde River stretches more than 170 miles from north-central Arizona and down through metro Phoenix,… Read moreVerde River watershed gets a grade of C+, but that ‘actually is very good’
PHOENIX – Fire specialists plan to burn 300 acres of vegetative piles Feb. 26-28 approximately 20 miles east of Payso… Read moreForest Service plans prescribed burn east of Payson
Fire specialists plan to burn 58 acres of vegetative piles Feb. 13-14 in the Washington Park area north of Payson. Read moreForest Service schedules prescribed burn near Payson
Readers may remember the article I wrote last August about Bernie, our winter-visiting bald eagle, who almost didn’t … Read moreEagle dies from lead poisoning
PHOENIX -- The way Mitzi Epstein sees it, it's against the law to throw things out the window of your car and pollute… Read moreBill would make it illegal to release balloons
Still bedeviled by biomass, the Forest Service has made two key changes in the offered contracts to thin nearly a mil… Read moreForest Service clarifies vital thinning contracts
Something strange happened 800 years ago down in the Verde Valley and the nearby mesa tops. Was it war — or something else? Read moreAncient Verde Valley Confederacy poses mystery
On Monday, fire officials put out several brush fires reported off State Route 260 east of Payson. Read moreFrom fire to floods in a day
Small craft boaters may still use the C.C. Cragin Reservoir until the first major snowfall, according to staff at the… Read moreKayakers and canoeists can still use C.C. Cragin
On Monday, fire officials put out several brush fires reported off State Route 260 east of Payson. Read moreFrom fire to floods in a day
Small craft boaters may still use the C.C. Cragin Reservoir until the first major snowfall, according to staff at the Coconino National Forest. Read moreKayakers and canoeists can still use C.C. Cragin
Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? Read moreHikers, runners and riders attempt to complete entire 800-mile Arizona Trail in one day
Birds and ponderosas
Just because you’re 100 feet tall, 200 years old and weigh 10,000 pounds doesn’t mean you don’t need a friend — maybe lots of little, itty, bi… Read morePonderosas need their itty bitty friends
There’s a new interactive Fish & Boat AZ map online for anglers, boaters or paddlers at fishandboataz.azgfd.com. Read moreGet hooked on AZGFD's enhanced online Fish & Boat AZ map
A bird often described as “so ugly, it’s beautiful,” traces its roots back as far as 10,000 years to the Pleistocene epoch. Read moreFirst wild California condor nestling of the season hatched at Arizona's Vermillion Cliffs
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A litter of seven orphaned young coyotes huddled in the corner of a kennel at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) in Scottsdale. Read moreSouthwest Wildlife reports huge influx of orphaned wild animals
The Arizona Game and Fish Department euthanized a 3-year-old female bear at Camp Geronimo Wednesday. Read moreBear at Payson Boy Scout camp euthanized
Rising temperatures and longer days mean spring is here and newborn wildlife are likely exploring the world around them. Read moreArizona Game and Fish reminds public to leave baby wildlife alone
YUMA – The fastest land mammal in North America and a large-footed marsh bird in the Southwest have been listed as endangered for more than ha… Read moreYuma mural highlights endangered pronghorn and marsh bird unique to the Southwest
Fire specialists from the Tonto National Forest plan to burn 40 acres of vegetative debris piles on Thursday, March 7. This one-day prescribed… Read moreTonto National Forest Plans Pile Burn Near Payson
Arizona’s largest utility announced last week that a new plan to add 850 megawatts of battery storage and at least 100 megawatts of new solar … Read moreSunlight for nighttime: Arizona’s largest utility plans to expand battery storage
PHOENIX – When Gov. Doug Ducey released his multimillion dollar budget proposal last week, he included $56 million in subsidies for day care, … Read moreDucey’s budget would add $56 million to day care subsidies for low-income families
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Mike Buckley stared at the gun on his desk. Read moreThe Arizona Trail chrysalis for life
FLAGSTAFF – David Fox beams when a picture of a Gila trout flashes on a computer monitor at Sterling Springs Hatchery, nestled at the top of O… Read moreHatchery near Flagstaff undergoes $3.3 million in renovations to raise trout in the desert
Wildfires
The size of wildfires burning across Arizona and the west has increased dramatically in recent decades. Read moreSize of wildfires increasing
LAKE PLEASANT – Bald eagles are nesting at Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix, and thanks to the Arizona Game & Fish Department, you can obser… Read moreBald eagle web cam at Lake Pleasant captures real-time drama of survival
GREELEY, Colo. – After one of the hottest and driest years on record, the Colorado River and its tributaries across the Southwest are likely h… Read moreDrought hangover: ‘OK’ snowpack in Colorado won’t be enough to replenish reservoirs
Two local water warriors received an award from the Arizona Onsite Water Recycling Association for their efforts to remove nitrogen from Tonto… Read moreTwo Rim residents recognized for cleaning up creeks
PHOENIX – In early December, after months (some would say years) of tough negotiations, the Central Arizona Project board approved a framework… Read moreWith deadline looming, can Arizona Legislature agree to complex drought plan?
A Pacific storm has the National Weather Service calling for a winter storm warning for elevations above 6,500 feet. Read moreWill the first winter storm arrive this week?
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APACHE COUNTY — The Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) is made up of many different and diverse groups that came together to help restore Arizona’s forests and reduce the threat of wildfires. There has been lots of controversy and criticism over the years, mostly about the pace of restoration directed at both 4FRI and the Forest Service. Read more4FRI stakeholders concerned about cutting of old growth trees in ASNF
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court made it harder Tuesday for the government to designate critical habitat for endangered species, in a ruling tha… Read moreSupreme Court limits ability to designate endangered species habitat
Question: When is a lake not a lake? Read moreAgreement would prioritize Woodland Lake's water for recreation
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The maelstrom of allegations and criminal investigations triggered by two former archaeologists at Arizona State Parks & Trails (ASPT) con… Read moreAllegations into Tonto Natural Bridge State Park's lack of archaeological due diligence continue
Cassie Lyman bent down to gently move plant leaves overshadowing the ground. “See, here’s a filaree sprout,” she said as she uncovered two tin… Read moreReading the Range a labor of love
After a slew of climate-friendly ballot initiatives went down in flames on Election Day in Arizona, Colorado and Washington, greens needed som… Read moreA judge just dealt a potentially fatal blow to Keystone XL
PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has written an opinion piece outlining some requirements he has for Arizona’s internal deal on drought. It c… Read moreToo many deals will make drought plan unworkable, Ducey warns
LECHEE CHAPTER HOUSE, Navajo Nation – Just south of Page, three smokestacks pierce the horizon like a pitchfork. They belong to the West’s lar… Read moreLikely closure of coal-fired power plant bringing dramatic change to Navajo Nation
Rim Country plunged into winter earlier this week with temperatures flirting with freezing. Read moreWeekend rain possible
WHITE MOUNTAINS — A recently completed economic study for Navajo and Apache counties underlines the region’s dependence on coal for economic activity, high-paying jobs and tax income. But it also looked at how the counties can move to a more diverse economic base in the future. Read moreStudy evaluates impact of coal on economy
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has confirmed a disease event affecting some mule deer in the Yavapai Hills community a… Read moreVirus affecting some deer in Yavapai Hills area near Prescott
PHOENIX – A Canadian energy company will add to its helium operation with more than 3,000 acres of newly leased federal land near Petrified Fo… Read moreHelium producer leases land near Petrified Forest; environmentalists worry about harm to animals, water
The danger birds pose to airplanes is no joke. Read moreCaltech scientist uses drones to herd birds away from aircraft
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado River, which supplies water to croplands and 40 million people in the Southwest, is projected to hit a hist… Read moreTapped out, or plenty to tap? Developers argue there’s more water in the Colorado River Basin
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Local rancher Cassie Lyman has amassed an impressive resumé in her quest to tell everyone about the agricultural life. Read moreCassie Lyman - lauded for agricultural advocacy
The orphaned calf presented a challenge for the Lyman family. Read moreRanching: rewards worth the effort
You can find lots of horror stories about fracking, whether it’s well water catching fire, radiation in stream beds or dangerous air pollution. Read moreThe complicated world of fracking from experts’ point of view
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The Tonto National Forest will continue conducting prescribed fire treatments in areas around Payson starting on Tuesday, Read morePrescribed Fire Treatments to Continue Near Payson
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Forest Road 751 from Rock Crossing campground to C.C. Cragin (aka Blue Ridge) Reservoir will be closed to vehicles Sept. 10 to protect the pub… Read moreC.C. Cragin Reservoir closes for season
Can’t leave the house without getting bitten? Legs swollen from scratching? Welcome to the crowd. Because yes, the mosquitoes are worse this year. Read moreIt’s not just you. The mosquitoes really are worse this year.
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The weeds seem to know this monsoon has brought more rain, but can they be trusted? Read moreThe big picture on weather - trust the weeds
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Beaver Valley residents live on the banks of the East Verde River, but still struggle under Stage 4 water restrictions despite the onset of a … Read moreBeaver Valley residents’ water struggles continue
The murky swamp of fracking regulations by a welter of government agencies poses a challenge for those seeking to determine whether projects p… Read moreThe murky waters of the fracking oversight process
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WASHINGTON – Deenise Becenti remembers watching this summer as a Navajo woman who had been waiting more than 20 years to get electricity in he… Read moreTribally owned solar power plant beats skeptics, odds on Navajo Reservation
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WHITE MOUNTAINS — Since the 1998 start of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, disagreements about the best ways to ensure the wolves’ survival have sparked lawsuits from environmental groups. Read moreDisagreements, lawsuits over wolf program
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At the end of July, Twitter user Alicia Santana posted a photo of a man sitting in a plastic folding chair in his yard. He’s looking away from… Read moreHow tweets can map a #wildfire
DENVER – Between growing populations and a changing climate, water sources in the West are only expected to get more crunched. Communities in … Read moreAs more Western cities turn to recycled water, they may face a curious obstacle: The ick factor
As opponents of fracking on federal land get organized — Arizona has already quietly granted leases on land it owns in the Holbrook basin. Read moreState lands and helium production
