Tag Archives: Springerville

20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival set for July 29

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File photo from Williams, Arizona where we have a hummingbird festival virtually every day.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is hosting its 20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on July 29 at the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar.

The free, family-friendly festival will include:

  • Hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory.
  • Plant displays to attract hummingbirds.
  • Live wildlife from the R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch.
  • Live bird display from AZGFD.
  • Take a photo with a live critter at the critter photo booth.
  • Activities for children/U.S. Forest Service will conduct its Junior Ranger Program.
  • Informational talks about hummingbirds and bird calls of the White Mountains.
  • Booths from local, outdoor-oriented organizations.

The event runs from 8 a.m. until noon.

The Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

Come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors with the potential of some summer rain. Parking can become extremely limited if the area receives rain.  Rain or shine, carpooling is encouraged. Attendees are encouraged to check the weather forecast for the day of the event.

The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce has coordinated with several vendors to provide snacks, water, soft drinks, and lunch for purchase. This is a cash-only event, so come prepared and support the Chamber.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

For more information, visit  azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/events/hummingbird-festival/ or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at 928-532-3680. The most current information and event schedule can be found on AZGFD’s Pinetop Regional Facebook page at facebook.com/AZGFDPinetop/.

Visit the High Country Hummingbird Festival at Sipe Wildlife Area on Saturday, July 30

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting its 13th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, July 30 at Sipe Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar. This year’s event will help celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that has had significant impact on conserving the nation’s migratory bird species. The High Country Hummingbird Festival will be one of the featured events in the state to celebrate this important milestone.

The free, family-friendly festival will include:

  • hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO)
  • plant displays for attracting hummingbirds
  • live wildlife from the department’s Wildlife Center
  • wildlife walk with a naturalist
  • activities and talks designed for children
  • informational talks about hummingbirds, and
  • a workshop on photographing hummingbirds.

While the festival is free to the public, the department is asking attendees to consider donating new, unopened bags of pure cane sugar to help feed all of these magnificent birds. Every year, Sipe uses up to 700 pounds of sugar to make the hummingbird food for the feeders around the property. A donation station will be set up in the Visitor’s Center.

The event starts at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. The Sipe Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce will be providing breakfast items and lunch concessions for purchase.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/hummingbird.shtml, follow this event and other local wildlife recreation-related events and programs on the Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Region Facebook page, or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at (928) 532-3680.

Pavement resurfacing begins Monday on US 60 and US 180 in eastern Arizona

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Drivers traveling on US 60 and US 180 in eastern Arizona should expect delays for the next two weeks as Arizona Department of Transportation crews resurface the road.

Expect delays on US 60 between mileposts 385-388 in Springerville and US 180 between mileposts 427-429 in Alpine as crews resurface the roadway.

Work will begin Monday (June 20), and continue weekdays until June 30. Work is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

One lane will be closed for the work at each location. Flaggers will help traffic alternate to get by the work sites.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

ADEQ Recognizes Town of Springerville Leadership in Proactive Environmental Protection Programs

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SPRINGERVILLE — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that the Town of Springerville in Apache County is the third municipality in the state to complete a Small Community Environmental Protection Plan (SCEPP).

With a SCEPP in place, Springville is now better positioned to contribute to a cleaner, natural environment and more livable community. The Town also is eligible for up to a 100 percent penalty reduction for future environmental violations.

Steve West, Springerville Town Manager said, “Participation in the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program exemplifies the Town of Springerville’s commitment to continual improvement and environmentally stewardship for the benefit of those we serve.”

A SCEPP is a component of the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (SCECAP). Small cities, towns and special water and wastewater districts often lack resources and staff to address their environmental concerns. This program helps them comply with state and federal environmental laws and reduce the number of violations and enforcement actions.

“We are committed to helping small communities in the state affordably protect their public health and air, land and water resources,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera. “We congratulate the Town of Springerville for being a leader in the effort to build environmental cooperation and hope other small towns and wastewater and water districts join the program,” Director Cabrera added.

With completion of this milestone, the Town of Springerville also applied for recognition under Arizona’s Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP). ADEQ accepted the Town into the VESP at the Silver Level for its superior compliance history demonstrated by at least three years without environmental enforcement action.

The Silver Level recognizes organizations going above and beyond what is legally required to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources. The Town of Springerville has an ongoing commitment to protect air quality through its Branch Cleanup Project, which reduces smoke in residential neighborhoods. Town officials are measuring program participation, working to increase each year.

ADEQ will present the Town with Certificates of Recognition for both proactive, voluntary environmental protection programs at the Jan. 20, Springerville Town Council meeting.

Woods Canyon Fire 40% contained

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Springerville – While the Slide Rock Fire is garnering much of the headlines, firefighters are also battling a human-caused blaze in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The 88-acre Woods Canyon fire approximately 22 miles west of Heber Overgaard is said to be 40% contained as of yesterday.

Dozer and handlines have been created on the east and west sides of the fire. Crews are still battling spot fires on the north side. No structures or powerlines are threatened at this time.

Resources on the scene include a single engine air tanker, hotshot crew, two Type 3 helicopters, two Type 2 crews, one water tender, and several engines. Helicopters are dipping water from Woods Canyon Lake. No injuries have been reported.

All campgrounds in the Woods Canyon Lake area and the Woods Canyon store are open. Some parking in the area is closed to visitors while it is being used for fire logistics. The Rocky Point day use area is open.

To make matters worse, there are reports of lightning-caused fires in the Clifton Ranger district 5 miles NE of Clifton near Sunset Mountain, 13 miles NE of Clifton near Pat Mountain and 35 miles N of Clifton, 18 miles SW of Alpine. The largest of these is the Sunset Mountain at 20-50 acres and all were reported at 0% containment as of yesterday. The Sunset Mountain fire is being fought by a Hotshot crew and helicopter and the others are being worked on by local fire firefighting responders in the area. They are mainly brush fires in contrast to the pine fuels burning in the Slide Rock and Woods Canyon fires.

The Apache-Sitgreaves and counties in the area have initiated Stage II fire restrictions. This means not open fires of any kind, including charcoal fires, even in developed campgrounds. No smoking except in vehicles or buildings and no operation of internal combustion engines that might create sparks. The use of explosive targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited, but the use of firearms is not prohibited as reported by Phoenix television—though it is probably not a smart idea.