What You Can Do Today to Keep Sedona Beautiful

While “Keep Sedona Beautiful” is, at the same time, the name and the mission of the volunteer community organization established in 1972, the reality of keeping Sedona beautiful can mean different things to different people. The purpose of this column on an every other week basis will be to suggest practical ways you can do your part to keep Sedona beautiful. But first, let’s put the need for us to be active citizens in context. 

This red rock country is not just quiet azure skies above red rock palisades. It is also litter-free roadways; gentle but effective signage; awesome starry night skies; plenty of protected open spaces; houses, commercial buildings and landscapes in harmony with the environment; pristine forests, trails and wildlife habitats; monitored and protected water resources; and so much more. Sedona is also a thriving and growing residential and business community as well as a first class tourist destination. And lest we think Sedona is contained just within the city limits, we should remind ourselves that “Sedona” extends well beyond the boundaries of the city to include the unincorporated areas in Oak Creek Canyon, the Village of Oak Creek and land and communities off of 89A heading towards Cottonwood.

The risk the greater Sedona area faces is that the natural beauty draws more and more residents and visitors alike, and this growth, if unplanned or unchecked, can lead to irreversible damage to the area’s most precious landscapes and wildlife habitats. The question we continue to ask is whether or not we can accommodate new residents and visitors and, at the same time, protect the natural beauty that we prize. Keep Sedona Beautiful firmly believes that the answer is yes and, with a leadership mindset, a positive attitude and the commitment of residents, businesses and visitors, Sedona can grow wisely, thrive and preserve the wonder at the same time. This all requires an active and involved citizenry.

When Keep Sedona Beautiful was formed in 1972, the objectives were established and remain in effect today:

• To assist in the preservation of the natural beauty of Sedona and its surroundings by all practical means.
• To promote the orderly growth and development of this community.
• To encourage the construction or remodeling of buildings, as well as the utilization of colors in harmony with the character of this area and its natural environment.
• To encourage the preservation and planting of native trees and shrubbery by residential and commercial property owners, builders and developers.
• To encourage tasteful signs in recognition of the letter and spirit of local ordinances.
• To emphasize and demonstrate the attractiveness of a litter-free community.
• To maintain awareness of developing environmental problems, and to support city, county and federal efforts toward practical solutions.
• To provide recognition of those who have done an outstanding job in building design, sign treatment and landscaping, or have contributed to significant improvement in the physical appearance of this community in any other manner.
• To stimulate a spirit of civic pride among all residents, and to encourage their participation and support with regard to the activities and objectives of Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc.
  

What You Can Do Today to Keep Sedona Beautiful

Since the litter lifters are the best indication of the physical presence of Keep Sedona Beautiful in the community as they remove trash from 60 miles of greater Sedona roadways, let’s start with some ways you can personally reduce litter from our roadsides and environment. Bill Pumphrey, past president of KSB and litter lifter chair has three suggestions:

1. Acquire reusable bags for your groceries and other shopping. They are available at all of our large supermarkets in the area and some smaller shops too. According to Pumphrey,  plastic bags are the scourge of our Sedona roadsides.  They're made from petroleum or natural gas with all the attendant environmental impacts of harvesting fossil fuels. With nations from Ireland to Uganda and China topping the bag-ban list, he believes that Sedona can lead the way in Arizona. When Ireland passed a tax on plastic bags in 2002, according to The New York Times, February 2, 2008, “customers were required to pay 33 cents per bag at the register. There was an advertising awareness campaign. And then something happened that was bigger than the sum of these parts. Within weeks, plastic bag use dropped 94 percent. Within a year, nearly everyone had bought reusable cloth bags, keeping them in offices and in the backs of cars. Plastic bags were not outlawed, but carrying them became socially unacceptable on a par with wearing a fur coat or not cleaaning up after one’s dog.” Sedona can do it without a tax.
2. Cover and secure your vehicle loads. It’s the law in Sedona and the counties may soon follow. The majority of roadside litter comes from open loads, especially trash and debris haulers who fail to close-up and secure their truckloads. Flying debris is also a physical danger to people and vehicles in the area.
3. Avoid styrofoam packing peanuts. These peanuts often become roadside litter when not contained after use. If encountered, secure them in a bag and dispose in a regular trash container. Never leave them loose in an unsealed box.

For more information about Keep Sedona Beautiful, call 282-4938 or email ksb@esedona.net.

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Keep Sedona Beautiful promotes conservation of the greater Sedona area, and, by all practical means, seeks to preserve the unique natural environment and to enhance the quality of life for future generations. Make a donation to Keep Sedona Beautiful: