As crisp white wind turbine blades rotated gently against a clear blue Northern Arizona sky, more than 100 people, representatives from Salt River Project, NextEra Energy Resources, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Coconino County and Babbitt Ranches, along with dignitaries, business owners, consultants and scientists, gathered to celebrate the completion of Arizona’s newest wind energy center and the meaning behind the steel. “When I consider the future of … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranches Calls Wind Farm a ‘Promise for the Future’
arizona game and fish department
Managing for Renewable Energy and Wildlife
Wildlife managers and researchers from across the country gathered in Flagstaff last month for the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) conference to discuss deer and elk movement and the latest technology being used to track the ungulates as projects are planned for land uses such as public recreation and renewable energy. The conference at Northern Arizona University included a field trip to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center north of Flagstaff. “There were overwhelmingly … [Read more...] about Managing for Renewable Energy and Wildlife
Construction Underway on Babbitt Ranch Energy Center North of Flagstaff
With a passion to move the state forward with renewable energy while protecting open space, creating jobs, boosting the Northern Arizona economy and planning for generations of Arizonans to come, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, SRP, Babbitt Ranches and the Arizona State Land Department have announced that construction is underway for the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. The 161-megawatt (MW) wind project, featuring 50 wind turbines across 669 acres on the CO Bar Ranch about 25 miles north of … [Read more...] about Construction Underway on Babbitt Ranch Energy Center North of Flagstaff
SP Crater Closed to Recreationists through May to Protect Nesting Golden Eagles
A two-mile area around SP Crater, known as the SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex (SPEC), currently is off limits to recreationists including hunters, hikers and UTV-ers in an effort to protect golden eagle nests. Babbitt Ranches, in collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has announced special rules in effect for the Complex on the CO Bar Ranch. Under the special rules, lead ammunition is strictly forbidden, no target shooting is allowed and no … [Read more...] about SP Crater Closed to Recreationists through May to Protect Nesting Golden Eagles
Mother Road Archive Ale Benefiting NAU Special Collections
Like many great stories, this one began over beer. As Mother Road Brewing Company Storyteller Billy Miller tells it, brewery founder Michael Marquess was having a beer with Northern Arizona University Cline Library Special Collections Archivist Sean Evans. Afterward, Evans invited Marquess to visit the library to see the Fred Harvey Collection associated with Route 66. “Michael took an interest because that’s what Michael does. He’s dedicated to history.” So, what started as a playful … [Read more...] about Mother Road Archive Ale Benefiting NAU Special Collections
Tortoises Make Lifelong Companions
Courtney Sheldon had always wanted a pet tortoise. When she was 9 years old, her family would help take care of a dog kennel when the owner was away. She spent her time at the pond out back, playing with the turtles. When she moved to Arizona in 2020, she mentioned to her boyfriend that they should get a tortoise. After all, the climate was right. She was half joking – they already had three dogs and five cats. But the idea stuck with her. Then one day on Facebook, she saw an article about … [Read more...] about Tortoises Make Lifelong Companions
Region Embracing Renewables
In many ways, Northern Arizona – and Coconino County in particular – is poised to harvest great benefits from renewable energy potential that outpaces the potential in much of the rest of the country. But the first wave of utility-scale projects has met with some resistance – and it has sent local land use planners to the drawing board. Coconino County has a draft of its new renewable energy guidelines out for review in a document called “Energy Element,” available on the web. County planners … [Read more...] about Region Embracing Renewables
Partnering for Watchable Wildlife
One of the great advantages of living in Northern Arizona is the chance to see all sorts of wildlife. Now, knowing where you’ll have the best chance to do that in the Flagstaff area should soon be easier. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is developing a new Watchable Wildlife program for the Flagstaff area. Although still in the planning stages, Jessica Gist at AZGFD’s Flagstaff Office is organizing a group of local government agencies and nonprofits working collaboratively to establish … [Read more...] about Partnering for Watchable Wildlife
Business Neutralizing Rattlesnake and Scorpion Venom
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona is home to the most dangerous rattlesnakes, spiders, lizards, and scorpions in the nation. So it is appropriate that researcher and veterinarian Dr. Craig Woods of BioVeteria Life Sciences chose Prescott as the home of his new business venture. BioVeteria is a new bioscience company that is developing neutralizers for rattlesnake and scorpion venom for our animal friends. “We estimate there are about 7,000 rattlesnake bites in humans … [Read more...] about Business Neutralizing Rattlesnake and Scorpion Venom
Arizona’s Hunting Industry Remaining Strong
As Arizonans and visitors from other places flock to the Northern Arizona forests for hunting, local coffers around the state are enjoying the benefits. Flagstaff-based Tom Britt, who retired from the Arizona Game and Fish Department as regional supervisor, now represents an organization called Hunting Works for Arizona. He says the nonpartisan group wants to put faces to the dollar signs shooters and hunters contribute to local economies. "There are so many people that derive a … [Read more...] about Arizona’s Hunting Industry Remaining Strong
