The Spirit of Pine Valley

A Unique Community Living with Nature

Environmental Resources – Tips and Articles for Pine Valley Living

This section of our website includes resources specific to Pine Valley’s unique environment.

Landscaping + Our Natural Environment

Wildlife

  • Respect our Wildlife — The critters were here first. Don’t feed wildlife and give them appropriate space and respect. You may see coyotes, javelina, a bobcat or even a mountain lion. Once it’s around 70 degrees or above, keep an eye out for snakes. Most are non-poisonous good guys like the black and white striped king snake or the gopher snake. If you see what you fear is a dangerous snake near your house, take a photo if you can and call a licensed reptile removal service (Russell Dunn 928-301-4474 or Tony Hauserman 928-274-4241) or the fire department. If you get bitten by a snake or stung by a scary insect, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Control at 800-222-1222. If you have cats or very small dogs, take appropriate precautions, especially in the evenings and early mornings. If you find an injured wild animal, contact Runnin’ W in Cornville.  More at Sustainability Alliance, Sedona
  • Co-Existing with Coyotes: Why You Don’t Want to Kill Coyotes — Notes from a Rancho Bernardo Community Council Meeting, August 2013
  • How to Relate to Local Wildlife: Snakes, Scorpions, and Javelinas — compiled by Editorial Committee

Water

  • Conserve Water — We live in the desert! For a garden in the desert, most of the water we use is outside. Check drip irrigation regularly for leaks, and water early or late in the day. It is smart to plant native, drought-tolerant plants, and use mulch to conserve water. Rain barrels and tanks can help economize.
  • Erosion — Intense water runoff from monsoon rains and snow melt? Read this: Managing Water – How to Use Free Water Efficiently to Prevent Erosion – post based on Brad Lancaster’s methods, by Editorial Committee

Fire

  • Manage Wildfire Risks — Be Fire Wise. Assess and reduce risks on your property or ask the fire department to do an assessment. Pay attention to burning bans. Sign up for Yavapai County’s emergency alerts, and have an evacuation plan, just in case. Also, you may want to create a basic emergency supply kit.
  • How to Clean Your Yard for Wildfire Preparedness — In 2015, the Sedona Fire Department created a video to inform people about wildfires and how to help prevent them in our yards. Long-time Pine Valley resident Rose Marie Licher’s yard was cleaned by the Sedona Fire Department, and in the video you can see how this was done. Please watch, and use their tips applicable to your yard. Watch video here.
  • Create a “defensible space” around your home. “Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.” More – with illustration

Sky

  • See the Stars — Our night sky is one of our treasured assets. We are an International Dark Sky Community. Dark Sky regulations require that any new outdoor lights are Dark Sky compliant. We are encouraged to leave outdoor lights off except when needed in order to protect our night viewing. Don’t leave lights on overnight. Locals get used to carrying flashlights. If you have a complaint about someone who isn’t following the rules, contact the city, county, or environmental stewards at Keep Sedona Beautiful.
  • Please comply with our Dark Sky Designation: read this article, taken from The Villager, a local newspaper