Map and enhance Flagstaff’s rare riparian woodlands

When Rick Miller and Paul Beier of Friends of the Rio de Flag served on the steering committee for the Flagstaff Regional Plan in 2024-2025, we were shocked to learn that there is no map of riparian plants in the watershed! Where are the willows, cottonwoods, box elders, and Arizona cherry trees? Nobody knows! Fixing this is an important job that can be done by dedicated volunteers. In Summer 2025, we started to map all riparian trees on public land in and near Flagstaff. See the map here.

We will finish the work in 2026. Email paulbeier@outlook.com if you want to help. Volunteers are making this happen!

We will also measure water flow and soil moisture in these newly-mapped riparian woodlands and let everyone use the data to enhance our existing riparian woodlands and create new ones. Key partners: City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Coconino National Forest.

Riparian area in Sinclair Wash that supports Cottonwoods.

Arroyo Willows in the canyon west of the Museum of Northern Arizona.