VERDE VALLEY LAND PRESERVATION INSTITUTE

Advocated for Sedona’s designation as an International Dark-Sky Community in 2014; worked with businesses to replace non-compliant lighting with dark-sky fixtures; secured a $10,000 city grant for sustainable tourism lighting upgrades; and promoted International Dark Sky Week, including input on Yavapai County lighting code updates.

Advocates for dark-sky preservation, contributing to Sedona's designation as an International Dark-Sky Community, prompting local declarations of International Dark Sky Week, and providing input on lighting code updates. The organization also works with local businesses to replace non-compliant lighting with dark-sky compliant fixtures and secured a grant for a sustainable tourism initiative focused on dark-sky lighting.

Operates the KSB EcoHub, providing a 1,450 sq ft meeting room for 70–130 people, a smaller conference room, kitchen facilities, and ADA-equipped restrooms for workshops, meetings, collaboration sessions, candidate forums, traveling exhibits, and emergency community support activities.

Hosts workshops, meetings, collaboration sessions, candidate forums, traveling exhibits, and community presentations at the KSB EcoHub, featuring a 1,450 sq ft main meeting room (70–130 capacity), a smaller conference room, kitchen facilities, ADA-accessible restrooms, and outdoor grounds certified as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat.

Contributes to local planning efforts by providing input on the Sedona Community Plan update, advocating for a covered load ordinance adopted by the Sedona City Council, assisting in passing a sport court ordinance to mitigate noise pollution, and providing input on the Water Element of the Yavapai County Comprehensive Plan update.

Participated in a Citizens Engagement Group on airport noise that led to county takeover of airport operations; provided input on the Sedona Community Plan and Yavapai County Comprehensive Plan; and advocated on pickleball court construction permits and sport court noise, including assisting passage of a sport court ordinance.

Runs "Discover the Wonder," a 2-hour educational field trip for grades 5–7 combining classroom learning with self-guided exploration, and offers annual workshops on native plants and low-water-use landscaping that have educated over 3,000 community members since 1979.

Offers "Discover the Wonder," a 2-hour educational field trip for students in grades 5-7, and conducts annual workshops on native plants and low-water landscaping, educating over 3,000 community members since 1979. The organization also hosts presentations on environmental topics and plans to offer environmental education classes for students ages 9-12.

Achieved Gold Level Sustainable Business certification and River Friendly Silver Level certification; developed and approved a 3-year Strategic and Operations Plan; and revised organizational bylaws to strengthen governance.

Achieved Gold Level Sustainable Business certification and River Friendly Silver Level certification, and developed a 3-year Strategic Plan, Operations Plan, and revised Bylaws to strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Publishes "Preserving the Wonder™ Quarterly Magazine" focusing on environmental activism, creates and distributes annual reports, and commissioned a short film about the OHV Crisis.

Produces "Preserving the Wonder™ Quarterly Magazine" focused on environmental activism, published two annual reports, and commissioned a short film on the OHV Crisis to inform public understanding and advocacy.

Secured funding to purchase over 500 acres of land now part of the Coconino National Forest, led efforts for Oak Creek to be recognized as a Unique Arizona Waterway, and encourages federal and state agencies to enforce water quality standards in Oak Creek.

Operates the KSB Litter Lifter Program with over 70 volunteers who clean litter from more than 50 miles of roadways in the Sedona/VOC area at least once per month, removing trash from over 54 miles of streets annually.

Has awarded over 600 Awards of Excellence to businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Verde Valley over the past 54 years in recognition of environmental and community contributions.

Secured millions in funding to purchase over 500 acres of land now part of the Coconino National Forest; led efforts for Arizona to recognize Oak Creek as a Unique Arizona Waterway; and advocated for enforcement of federal and state water quality standards to sustain Oak Creek’s ecological health.

Hosts community conversations on topics like wildland fire preparedness, launched a website and Instagram account to reach tourists, and has given out over 600 Awards of Excellence to businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Verde Valley over 54 years.

Launched the PreservingTheWonder website and Instagram account to engage tourists, organized community conversations on wildland fire preparedness, and hosted events to celebrate 50 years of service to the Verde Valley.

Maintains adjoining grounds certified as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat, featuring native plants, garden paths, and an outdoor deck. The organization also renovated the EcoHub building and interpretive garden, and initiated a project to transform its building into a model of environmental responsibility by installing an electric heat pump, insulated roof, and solar panels.

Operates the year-round Litter Lifter Program, engaging over 70 volunteers to clean more than 50 miles of roadway in the Sedona/VOC area at least once a month.