Stream Stewards
Volunteer to be a Steward of the Rio
The Rio de Flag and its tributaries connect our neighborhoods, support rare plants and unique habitats, promote wildlife movement, and are enjoyed by people living nearby. The Stream Stewards Program is a partnership between the Friends of the Rio de Flag, City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and City of Flagstaff Water Services. This program gives the Flagstaff community a chance to adopt nearby sections of the Rio de Flag Watershed. It combines learning opportunities through citizen science and stewardship to build awareness and stimulate the involvement of youth within the Flagstaff community.
Responsibilities as a Stream Steward
Stewardship is the act of taking responsibility over an area's protection and restoration.
Note: Stewards must receive permission before conducting any significant stewardship activities. These activities include but are not limited to; tree removal, large debris removal, and changing the morphology of the adopted section.
Remove Trash and Debris
Remove trash and debris in the stream channel and all the way up the side slopes (stopping at adjacent private land). Debris can include woody items (sticks, branches, logs), plants growing in stream bottoms, or other items that might impede the flow of water. Stewards will place bags of collected materials in appropriate locations.
Remove and Report Invasive Plants
You can learn about Flagstaff’s invasive plants HERE and download the Seek smartphone app to further identify both native and non-native plants. Once you sign up, our Program Coordinator will assist in using these tools and covering information on the best practices for invasive plant species removal.
Participate in Community Science
Community science is a method for gathering relevant scientific data. Community members engage in data collection to inform land managers and researchers alike about a topic (in this case, the watershed). Community science projects might include the following:
- Wildlife observation
- Vegetation mapping and monitoring
- Mapping wet/dry areas
- Stream Team watershed assessment
- Observing invasive plant species removal sites
Who Can Adopt
Flagstaff community members, schools, and organizations. Participants under 18 years of age must have an adult supervisor signup and be involved in their section of the Rio de Flag.
Requirements for Adoption
- 2-year commitment.
- Perform a minimum of 3 cleanups or invasive species removal events each year.
- Contacting the Stream Stewards Coordinator for resources concerning best practices and preparing for changes impacting the Rio de Flag.
- Using the survey 123 app for reporting community science and stewardship activities.
Link to Survey HERE
Sign Up
To adopt a section of the Rio de Flag, first visit the map of available sections for adoption. Blue stretches of the Rio are available for adoption, the purple stretches have been adopted. Once you are ready to adopt, go to our sign-up page to register for your section of the Rio.
Your adopted section of the Rio may take 1-3 business days to show on the map after registering.
Contact the Stream Stewards Coordinator if you want to participate in a cleanup before adopting.
Contact Us
Questions? Please email our Stream Stewards Coordinator at: sanoma.boynton@flagstaffaz.gov.
Partners
Southside Community Association