“This was a good time to bring green vendors together to talk about environmental issues.”
Lewis, manager of the tribe’s Environmental Protection Department, created the event to promote environmental awareness while strengthening tribal and community partnerships. This year’s celebration, held Saturday, April 5, welcomed representatives from the region, including the Town of Camp Verde, APS, Home Depot, the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance and the Sierra Club.
“The challenges that tribal people in the desert Southwest are concerned about are climate change, surface water and groundwater,” Lewis said. “This was a good time to bring green vendors together to talk about environmental issues.”
Lewis said the event highlights the importance of shared responsibility when it comes to protecting natural resources.
“We want to promote the health of the environment by bringing everybody together, tribal and non-tribal,” he said. “The livelihood of everyone is dependent on the environment because we all need clean air and clean water. Everybody can help. Conserving water is just one example.”
The event featured Native American song and dance, with Yavapai-Apache Nation member Sean Lody serving as DJ. “This is my first year here. I think it’s a great event because it brings the community together,” he said.
Also participating was 9-year-old Savannah Prigmore, known as Little Miss Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Several organizations shared resources to encourage environmental action. Diane Scantlebury, a volunteer coordinator for Tree City USA in Camp Verde, said the program provides grants for planting trees on public land. It also promotes tree planting on private property.
“We inform the public about the best type of plants, shrubs and trees to grow in their area,” said Scantlebury, noting that guidance is also available on Camp Verde’s website.
Patty Mancini, stormwater specialist for the Town of Camp Verde, focused on education around water conservation. “Water pollution is a big deal,” she said. “If a candy wrapper goes in the water, it pollutes the water. If you don’t want to swim in it, don’t put it in the ground.”
Mancini said she regularly speaks to students and gives them tours of the wastewater treatment plant to illustrate how the system works.
Elaine Nichols with Friends of the Verde River in Cottonwood called the Earth Day event “a great way to kickoff spring with a celebration of the environment.”
Sharon Kelly, volunteer coordinator for the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance, said the group of 30 volunteers is focused on public engagement. “We are working at raising people’s awareness,” she said. VVBN
By Stan Bindell, VVBN
Photo by Stan Bindell: Diane Scantlebury with Trees USA and Little Miss Yavapai-Apache Nation Savannah Prigmore joined in the Earth Day celebration held outside Cliff Castle Casino.
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