Responsible Visitation Making a Difference with Flagstaff’s Trail System

Flagstaff takes great pride as the “City of Seven Wonders” and in its commitment to protect the environment through ecotourism, promoting responsible visitation, and conservation efforts. Nestled in our backyard are unique natural wonders, beautiful landscapes, unforgettable terrains, spectacular overlooks, historic landmarks, cultural sites and breathtaking views across millions of acres. Our seven wonders include Grand Canyon National Park, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, Oak Creek Canyon, Coconino National Forest and the San Francisco Peaks. Flagstaff offers opportunities to stay and play responsibly, encouraging exploration and discovery of the area’s natural wonders with the mission of learning about and ultimately protecting the areas. Responsible visitation is making a difference with Flagstaff’s trail system, and you can actively participate through two outstanding initiatives: Pledge for the Wild and the Flagstaff Trails Passport.

You can help protect Flagstaff’s special places with the Pledge for the Wild program. This initiative is dedicated to promoting responsible visitation and preserving the untamed beauty of Flagstaff, ensuring that wild places remain wild. By taking the pledge, you contribute to the efforts aimed at keeping the town beautiful, sustainable and clean. This public education effort informs both locals and visitors about responsible trail use while hiking, biking, wildlife watching or stargazing. Pledge for the Wild benefits the local non-profit Flagstaff Trails Initiative (FTI), which focuses on trail management. Taking part is as simple as texting WILD4FLAG to 44321 along with a donation, demonstrating your commitment to preserving our precious environment.

When you play locally and embark on an unforgettable outdoor adventure, you help preserve Flagstaff’s natural beauty with the Flagstaff Trails Passport. This must-have digital passport, available for free download at discoverflagstaff.com, provides a comprehensive listing of trails suitable for all levels of experience, from leisurely strolls to exhilarating challenges. By accumulating trail points, you not only manage trail congestion but also unlock the opportunity to win amazing prizes. Easy trails are worth one point, moderate trails two points and challenging trails three points. The Flagstaff Trails Passport is an excellent guide to adventure and pairs perfectly with Pledge for the Wild.

Imagine you biked an epic trail in the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest, facilitated by the digital Flagstaff Trails Passport. After an incredible day of biking, you can redeem your well-earned prizes at the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66) and celebrate with a cold craft beer from one of our renowned breweries. As you wait for that pitcher of effervescence, you notice a Pledge for the Wild coaster, and its message brings a smile to your face. You feel a sense of accomplishment and decide to give back to our wild places by making a donation. By texting WILD4FLAG to 44321, you pledge to donate for each mile you biked. Now, after your amazing bike ride, the local craft beer tastes even better, knowing that your donation supports the Pledge for the Wild initiative.

Encourage friends, family and neighbors to join us in protecting, pledging and playing locally. Discoverflagstaff.com. FBN

By Meg Roederer

Meg Roederer is the communications specialist and Flagstaff film commissioner at Discover Flagstaff.