Threatened narrow-headed garter snake gets help from the Phoenix Zoo
PHOENIX — Forty narrow-headed garter snakes were born last year at the Phoenix Zoo’s Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Conservation Center — by far the most since the program began in 2007. The center’s director is hopeful 2023 will be another successful year. The aquatic snake is threatened because of invasive species — including crawfish and frogs — climate change and development.
Arizona, other states propose Colorado River cuts; California pushes back
WASHINGTON - Federal officials said they will consider a plan by Arizona and five other Colorado River basin states on how to further cut water consumption, even though the biggest user in the basin - California - has not signed off on it.
This winter’s rain and snow won’t be enough to pull the West out of drought
Rain has pummeled California and the Rockies are getting heavy snows, good news for the Colorado River, which has been crippled by a historic "megadrought." But scientists say it will take much more than one wet winter to turn around the basin's fortunes.
SRP solar plant northwest of Flagstaff expected to offset 1 billion pounds of CO2 each year
FLAGSTAFF – SRP partnered with Clenera to develop the largest solar plant in Arizona. Solar and clean energy expansion in the state could lead to a low-cost carbon-free future.
Cactus High students build a road-worthy electric vehicle
GLENDALE – As the world moves slowly away from fossil fuels, Cactus High School in Glendale is teaching automotive students how to build an electric vehicle from scratch.
Forest Service resumes cleanup of abandoned mines near Prescott after pause
PRESCOTT – The U.S. Forest Service this week resumed its abandoned mine cleanup project in the Cherry Creek Mining District near Prescott to protect the environment and human health.
Maricopa County’s ozone pollution is high and getting worse
PHOENIX – The EPA recently moved Phoenix up in ozone non-attainment levels, from marginal to moderate. City officials are worried they won’t meet attainment by 2024, when the restrictions get tight and some businesses may not be able to operate.
Water reductions for the new year may be just the beginning, experts say
WASHINGTON - Few Arizona residents will notice changes in water availability in their daily lives after Jan. 1, when steep cuts are imposed on the water the state can draw from the Colorado River. But that doesn't mean they can relax, as experts expect more cuts will be needed in 2023.
Horse slaughter in Apache-Sitgreaves forest highlights friction between animal and environmental concerns
SPRINGERVILLE – Dozens of feral horses were killed in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest near Springerville in October. The presence of feral horses on federal land has angered scientists, hunters, government agencies and horse advocates, but all for different reasons.
It’s electric: ADOT planning a statewide network of EV chargers along interstates
PHOENIX – Thanks to federal funding, the Arizona Department of Transportation will receive millions to upgrade existing electric vehicle chargers and install new ones along interstate highways.
Already struggling, farmers face another challenge with diesel shortage
As if this year hasn’t been rough enough on the agriculture community, with droughts and inflation, farmers can now add "global diesel shortage" to their hardship bingo card for 2022.
HistoriCorps volunteers help preserve structures at Crescent Moon Ranch in Sedona
SEDONA – The nonprofit organization HistoriCorp partnered with Coconino National Forest to preserve historic buildings on the Crescent Moon Ranch in Sedona, founded in 1880.
