Our Projects

Water Sampling
Water Sampling

In 2020, 2021, and 2022 OCWC’s team is sampling at several Oak Creek Canyon day-use sites. This project is supported by a grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The goal of this sampling effort is to understand E. coli contamination and visitor-use trends over busy weekends. Moreover, this data will help gauge the effectiveness of roadside pullout closures,…

Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Macroinvertebrate Surveys

Soil erosion is impacting the ecological health of Oak Creek. When excessive sediment settles on the stream bottom it suffocates aquatic insects (a.k.a. benthic macroinvertebrates) that are key food prey items for fish and other wildlife. Sediment also serves as a reservoir for fecal contaminants (E. coli bacteria). Sedimentation occurs from erosion, which can be contributed to over-use of swimming…

Pet Waste Station (PWS) Program
Pet Waste Station (PWS) Program

Every gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million E.coli bacteria, which poses a health threat for recreators swimming in Oak Creek. The PWS program identified locations within the Oak Creek corridor as potential sites for Gladiator pet waste stations. Every gram of dog feces contains an average of 23 million E.coli bacteria, which poses a health threat…

Oak Creek Ambassador Program
Oak Creek Ambassador Program

Stewardship Engagement In partnership with the following groups: the United States Forest Service (USFS), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), the City of Sedona, the Arizona Community Foundation, and the National Forest Foundation; Oak Creek Ambassadors have monitored heavily-used recreation sites. They’ve made a positive impact by talking to visitors, picking up trash, human and dog waste, monitoring water…

Stormwater Pollution Mitigation: A Partnership with the City of Sedona and OCWC
Stormwater Pollution Mitigation: A Partnership with the City of Sedona and OCWC

In partnership with the City of Sedona, OCWC hosts cleanup events that encourage residents of the greater Sedona area to learn about stormwater pollution, the sub-basins and watersheds within the Oak Creek Watershed and Sedona area, and how they can play an important role in protecting Oak Creek. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you do not…

Become an Oak Creek Steward
Become an Oak Creek Steward

Because of COVID-19, we are seeing massive increases in visitors fleeing to the creek and Sedona trails, which means increases in littering and habitat degradation, significantly impacting the fragile riparian ecosystem. And it’s an eye-sore! Our small team is working tirelessly to pick-up after visitors, so that creek sites are pristine upon their arrival, hopefully encouraging them to leave it…

Water Quality of Oak Creek and Fossil Creek 2018-2019
Water Quality of Oak Creek and Fossil Creek 2018-2019

Take a look at water quality trends in Oak Creek and Fossil Creek in 2018 and 2019. Oak Creek Ambassador Emma Harries took on writing this comprehensive report as her capstone project for her undergraduate studies. We are so excited to share this report with you and could not be more proud of Emma. View the report here.

Water Quality of Oak Creek 2020
Water Quality of Oak Creek 2020

Take a look at water quality trends in Oak Creek in 2020. This summary report was made possible by support from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce under the Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan Tactic A2.3. View the report below.

Oak Creek Watershed Educational Brochure
Oak Creek Watershed Educational Brochure

Welcome! Virtually view our educational brochure. Learn more about the issues that are threatening the health of the watershed and how you can help! Created by tmsr Design Delivery in collaboration with Oak Creek Watershed Council and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. This brochure was funded by grants from ADEQ and EPA.

Voluntourism
Voluntourism

In partnership with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, OCWC hosts cleanup events that encourage visitors to the greater Sedona area to “give back” while learning about the geology, ecology, and other issues pertinent to the watershed. By participating in these events, visitors can visit scenic areas along Oak Creek, red rock country, and northern Arizona forests while making a positive…

Pickin’ Up in the Pines 2022
Pickin’ Up in the Pines 2022

Saturday, September 17 REGISTER TODAY! The Coconino National Forest, National Forest Foundation, Oak Creek Watershed Council, and the Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality invite you to Pickin’ Up in the Pines!  Join us to clean up camping areas in the forests that are the headwaters of Oak Creek canyon.  In advance of major holiday weekends, get outside, clean up trash,…

Social Trail Rehabilitation Monitoring and Watershed Improvement Projects
Social Trail Rehabilitation Monitoring and Watershed Improvement Projects

Oak Creek flows through a beautiful canyon along Highway 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona and is a popular destination for recreation. The creek is a tributary to the Verde River, which feeds into the Salt River, itself providing water to millions of people living in and around Phoenix. Oak Creek is one of the few perennial streams in Arizona’s high…

Water Quality of Oak Creek 2021
Water Quality of Oak Creek 2021

Take a look at water quality trends in Oak Creek in 2021. This summary report was made possible by support from the City of Sedona in partnership with the Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan Tactic A2.3. View the report below.

Join Us on Instagram

Hablemos de 💩. Los desechos humanos en las vías fluviales pueden convertirse en un vector de propagación de enfermedades y lo hacen asqueroso para los demás visitantes. Puede mantener limpio Oak Creek (#KeepOakCreekClean) usando los baños públicos que están disponibles en las áreas de uso diurno, los comienzos de los senderos, los campamentos y los centros de visitantes.
Si absolutamente tienes que ir y no hay ningún baño cerca, aún puedes ir sin dejar rastro (#LeaveNoTrace). Camina por lo menos 60 metros (70 pasos grandes) del arroyo, busque un lugar privado y cavar un hoyo https://lnt.org/how-to-poop-outside/
#CuidaElAmbiente #SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona
Aprenda mas en: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
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Let's have a quick chat about #2. Human waste in waterways can become a vector for spreading disease and makes it gross for others who visit. You can #KeepOakCreekClean by using public toilets that are available at day-use areas, trailheads, campgrounds, and visitor centers.
If you absolutely have to go, and there’s no nearby toilet, you can still #LeaveNoTrace and walk at least 200 feet away (70 big steps) from the creek, find a private spot, and dig a cathole: https://lnt.org/how-to-poop-outside/
Learn more: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
#SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona
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Todo lo que dejamos en la cuenca termina en el arroyo. Cosas como la basura y los desechos humanos agregan contaminantes y parásitos a la fuente de agua cuando los dejamos atrás. Podemos evitar esto empacando nuestra basura y usando baños en los senderos. ¡Vamos a mantener limpio Oak Creek (#KeepOakCreekClean) y no dejar rastro (#LeaveNoTrace ) en nuestra visita a la cuenca!
#CuidaElAmbiente #SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona
Aprenda mas en: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
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Anything we leave in the watershed ends up in the creek. Things like litter and human waste add pollutants and parasites to the water source when we leave them behind. We can prevent this by packing out our trash and using toilets at trailheads. Let's #KeepOakCreekClean and #LeaveNoTrace on our visit to the watershed!
#SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona
Learn more: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
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Green Jacks NAU club cleanup event on 4/1 - this is not a joke! Come join us for some fun while picking up trash in Oak Creek Canyon. RSVP using the QR code for a seat! ...

¿Te gusta Oak Creek? ¡Conviértete en un Cuidador de Oak Creek!
Con el aumento del turismo y las visitas, el ecosistema único de Oak Creek en el norte de Arizona está siendo desafiado como nunca antes. La cámara de comercio de #Sedona y la Oficina de Turismo (@SedonaChamberofCommerce) se han asociado con la ciudad de Sedona (@CityofSedonaAZ), Consejo de Cuenca de Oak Creek (@Oak Creek Watershed Council) y el Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Arizona (@azdeq) para continuar promoviendo las formas como Leave No Trace (@LeaveNoTrace) hace la diferencia cuando pasamos tiempo afuera.
Involucrate visitando: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
#CuidaElAmbiente #SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona #KeepOakCreekClean
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Do you love #OakCreek?Become an Oak Creek Caretaker!
With increased tourism and visitation, Oak Creek's unique ecosystem in northern Arizona is being challenged like never before. @SedonaChamberofCommerce and @CityofSedonaAZ have partnered with @Oak Creek Watershed Council and @azdeq to continue promoting the ways that @LeaveNoTrace makes a difference when we spend time outside.
Get involved today by visiting: bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker
#SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona #KeepOakCreekClean
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¿Ha visitado el área de Sedona? Atravesando la ciudad se encuentra Oak Creek, una importante vía fluvial que nutre el ecosistema que la rodea y apoya a las comunidades de #AZ. Millones de nosotros visitamos el arroyo y disfrutamos de su abundancia de actividades al aire libre cada año, y eso significa que podemos impactar la salud de esta cuenca.
¿Será usted un cuidador de Oak Creek y ayudará a mantener limpio Oak Creek (#KeepOakCreekClean) cuando visite? Estos son los cuatro consejos más importantes a tener en cuenta para no dejar rastro (#LeaveNoTrace).
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Have you visited the #Sedona area? Running right through town is Oak Creek, an important waterway that nourishes the ecosystem around it and supports #AZ communities. Millions visit the creek and enjoy its outdoor activities every year, and that means we can impact the health of this watershed.
Help #KeepOakCreekClean when you visit by following these four important #LeaveNoTrace tips:

💧Protect watersheds
💩Have a poop plan
🗑️Trash your trash
🥾Stick to trails

Get involved ➡️ bit.ly/OakCreekCaretaker

#SedonaCares #AppreciateAZ #LeaveNoTraceSedona #SustainableSedona
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The cleanup event on 2/25 at Mescal TH is also canceled due to adverse weather conditions right now and continuing into the weekend. Stay safe everyone and look out for future posts about more cleanup events!! ...

Spread the word! OCWC is hosting a cleanup event at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village on 2/23/23 🎉 Register to join us at this event at the link in our bio! ...

Sedona’s rocks are red ❤️
Oak Creek is blue 💙
We love this ecosystem 💦
And we hope you do too! 🌱

Happy Valentine’s Day from OCWC!

Also wishing Arizona a happy 111th birthday 🎉🥳

#oakcreekcanyon #oakcreek #sedona #sedonaredrocks #valentinesday #azbirthday
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Our partners from @azdeqgov, @U.s.forestservice, and @cityofsedonaaz (along with others) will be presenting on environmental concerns around Oak Creek on February 24. The public program is free to attend and will be held at the @sedonalibrary ...

Get Involved!