Below are two photos essays I worked on over the past few weeks that have finally published in print, and thusly, here. First up is a story about efforts to save and restore the Verde River, a critical desert riparian habitat. Please read the original story here…
Second up is less of an essay per se, and maybe more of a tour of a new building. With the growth of Northern Arizona University comes the need to house all of these new students. Insert high-density, student-oriented housing complexes all over town. *editorial* The rents are high, social problems are many, their soul is engineered, but the steady march forward seems unavoidable. Enjoy…
-
- Kayaks sit at the edge of the Verde River before a paddle tour in August. Doug Von Gausig, the mayor of Clarkdale and director of the Verde River Institute, leads the kayak trips at least once a week to boost the profile of the river as an economic driver in the valley.
-
- Before he leads kayak trips down the Verde River, Verde River Institute Director Doug Von Gausig talks about the history of the rare desert river, as well as the efforts underway to preserve it.
-
- Shawna Devlin plunges into the Verde River at the beginning of a kayak trip hosted by the Verde River Institute. The trips are a way to build awareness about the river, the benefits it provides and the work needed to preserve its flows into the future, said Doug Von Gausig, director of the institute.
-
- Stephan Block, a resident of Cottonwood, paddles down the Verde River during a kayak trip in August. Doug Von Gausig, the mayor of Clarkdale and director of the Verde River Institute, leads the trips to promote awareness of the river and its potential to be a bigger economic driver in the Verde Valley.
-
- During the kayak trips he leads down the Verde River several times a month, Doug Von Gausig talks about the river’s rare ecosystem, its history and current conservation efforts.
-
- A kayak trip down the Verde River near Clarkdale requires two portages to get over Brewer’s Tunnel Diversion Dam, historically used by United Verde Copper Company to divert river water for industrial use.
-
- From left, Shawna Devlin, Justin Brown, Stephan Block, Doug Von Gausig and Bobby Conlin take a break near Brewer’s Tunnel Diversion Dam. Historically, the dam was used to divert water for mining operations, but Von Gausig said it will soon be taken down, providing hope for ecological restoration in the area.
-
- Brewer’s Tunnel Diversion Dam on the Verde River was built in 1914 by the United Verde Copper Company.
-
- Justin Brown kayaks past a slag pile that contains the remnants of the copper smelting operations that used to be located in the town of Clarkdale. The 20 million-ton pile spills into the Verde River.
-
- Justin Brown kayaks past a slag pile that contains the remnants of the copper smelting operations that used to be located in the town of Clarkdale. The 20 million-ton pile spills into the Verde River.
-
- A great blue heron stands in a shallow pool along the Verde River near Clarkdale. The river’s riparian zone supports about two-thirds of all species diversity in Arizona.
-
- Kayakers paddle the Verde River under Tuzigoot Bridge near the town of Clarkdale. The town recently created two official river access points to promote recreation on the water.
-
- Bobby Conlin, left, and Stephan Block unload kayaks after a trip on the Verde River. The three-hour trip put on by the Verde River Institute includes education about the river’s history, its ecosystem and current conservation efforts.
-
- Phase one of the Village at Aspen Place is open near Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue in Flagstaff.
-
- A view from the main entrance of the newly opened Village at Aspen Place near Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue in Flagstaff.
-
- The common lounge area for residents at The Village at Aspen Place.
-
- The Village at Aspen Place features a full gym with views of the common pool area which is open to residents.
-
- A view of the bedroom inside an apartment at the newly opened Village at Aspen Place in Flagstaff.
-
- The open kitchen and living area of a one-bedroom apartment at The Village at Aspen Place which is now open near Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue in Flagstaff.
-
- Inside the living room of a one-bedroom apartment at The Village at Aspen Place.
-
- A view from the pool at the Village at Aspen Place.
-
- With the first phase open for residents, construction continues on additional phases at The Village at Aspen Place in Flagstaff.
Taylor Mahoney Photography 