Speaker Series
Our Speaker Series hosts monthly presentations on subjects of community interest that are aligned with the Keep Sedona Beautiful Mission to Preserve the Wonder.
Upcoming Presentations:
On Wednesday February 19, Wildlife Biologist Janie Agyagos will discuss “Planting and Landscaping for Wildlife.”
Janie will explain the importance of using native, non-invasive plants in landscaping, which ornamental species are highly invasive and should be avoided, and will help identify what plants are less attractive to nuisance wildlife such as javelina and deer.
Janie has over 30 years of work experience as a wildlife biologist with the US Forest Service. Currently she serves as District Wildlife Staff, on the 550,000 acre Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, and is responsible for numerous programs and projects including inventorying and monitoring rare birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and plants; conducting project effect analyses and developing design features and mitigations for over 100 special status species; consulting with US Fish and Wildlife Service on any projects that may affect listed species; designing and implementing habitat improvement projects; managing area closures that protect species and habitat; coordinating with various agencies, academia, and NGOs in all above activities; and developing and presenting various environmental education programs, brochures, signs, and articles.
On Wednesday, March 19 Jim Turner will present “The Colorado River and Its Wonders.“
This presentation is made possible with the support of Arizona Humanities.
Speaker Series events are sponsored by our KSB Business Sponsors at the Mingus Mountain and Cathedral Rock sponsorship levels. These events are held at 5:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise noted) beginning in September and ending in May. Admission is free and open to the public, and donations are appreciated. Speaker Series visitors may sign up for membership at this event.
Unless otherwise noted, events are held at:
Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB)
360 Brewer Rd.
Sedona AZ 86336 (map)
Past presentations include:
On Wednesday January 16 20, Win Holden, former editor, presented – “100 Years Grand – The Story of Arizona Highways Magazine.”
Because many of the stunning images Win discussed are copyrighted, KSB cannot offer a recording of the presentation. We urge you to attend another of Win’s presentations if you have the opportunity. You can also subscribe to this award-winning magazine at www.arizonahighways.com.
This presentation was made possible with the support of Arizona Humanities.
On Wednesday November 20, Mike Dechter spoke about “Southwestern Native American Use of Fungi.”
You can view a recording of her presentation by clicking here.
On Wednesday October 16, naturalist and guide at Enchantment Resort Rita Faruki spoke about “Our Animal Brothers and Sisters, Their Biology and Spiritual Significance.”
You can view a recording of her presentation by clicking here.
On Wednesday, September 18, Barry Mallis returned as a speaker, giving a presentation titled “Sinaguan Echoes in the Verde Valley.” Facts and artifacts illuminated the presence, over hundreds of years, of pre-contact indigenous people in our region.
On Wednesday, May 15, Denise Gibbs gave a presentation on Monarch Butterflies via Zoom.
CLICK HERE to view a recording of this presentation.
These are her recommended Arizona native plant nurseries that sell pesticide-free plants for Monarchs:
- Arizona Milkweeds for Monarchs, https://www.azmilkweedsformonarchs.org/, NAU Flagstaff greenhouses, pre-order and pick up plugs of native AZ milkweed species. They sometimes sell plugs at farm markets and/or The Arboretum at Flagstaff plant sales.
- Borderlands Nursery, https://www.borderlandsplants.org/, Patagonia, pre-order and pick up plants from their greenhouses, or attend one of their public plant sales at various locations around the state; mail-order seeds
- Desert Survivors Nursery, https://desertsurvivors.org/, Tucson, buy plants there, become a member and get a discount at their public plant sales
- Spadefoot Nursery, https://www.spadefootnursery.com/, Tucson, order plants online then pick-up at their nursery
- Underwood Gardens, Terroir Seeds, https://store.underwoodgardens.com/, Chino Valley, mail-order native milkweed seeds online. Become a member and get a 20% discount.
For a list of Monarch-friendly plans for the Sedona area, CLICK HERE.
For a list of Monarch-friendly plans for the Greater Verde Valley area, CLICK HERE.
On Wednesday, April 17, KSB hosted a panel discussion on Sedona’s OHV Crisis
CLICK HERE to view a recording of this discussion.
On Wednesday, March 20, Roxanne Holland, Director of Wastewater for the City of Sedona spoke on “City of Sedona Treated Wastewater Quality and Management.”
CLICK HERE to view a recording of her presentation.
On Wednesday, February 21, Lisa Grubbs spoke on birds of the Verde Valley.
CLICK HERE to view a recording of her presentation.
On Wednesday, January 17, Isaac Dudley from Friends of the Verde River spoke on rainwater harvesting and River Friendly Living.
CLICK HERE to view a recording of his presentation.
On Wednesday, November 15, Environmental Toxicologist Dr. Tom Ginn, Environmental Toxicologist spoke on “Sedona Water – Sources, Discharges and Quality.” Watch a recording by clicking here.
On Wednesday, October 18, we had a panel discussion on “Community Activism – How to Get Involved“.
Our speakers covered the gamut from involvement in the arts, citizen services, environmental concerns, local politics and more.
Panelists included:
Charlotte Hosseini, currently a Sedona Planning and Zoning Commissioner and Sedona Community Food Bank volunteer.
Ann Kelley who the founder of Sedona Residents Unite (SRU), serves on the Sedona Community Plan Work Group, and supports two initiatives designed to bring people together: Paul Friedman’s Conversations to Weave Community and The Gathering by the Sedona Public Library.
Kevin Adams is active throughout the Verde Valley. Under his direction, the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRTF) has raised nearly $2.5 million for the maintenance and enhancement of trails on the Red Rock District. He co-founded Wheel Fun, a group that uses mountain bikes to create community and improve mental and physical health while cultivating a love for the outdoors in underserved rural Arizona youth.
Craig Swanson currently serves as President of Keep Sedona Beautiful and as a member of the Greater Sedona Recreation Collaborative that is working to implement solutions to the OHV crisis in Sedona.
On Wednesday, September 20, Janie Agyagos, Wildlife Biologist in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest discussed, “Human-Caused Effects to Flora and Fauna in the Verde Valley.”
On Wednesday May 10, Assistant Chief of the Sedona Fire District spoke on “Preparing for Wildfires in Sedona: Insights from a Seasoned Firefighter”
On Wednesday April 14, Tom O’Halloran, former US Representative from Arizona’s 1st Congressional district and Past President of KSB spoke about “How Congress Does and Doesn’t Work – Misperceptions and Changes Needed”.
On Wednesday March 8, Mike Dechter, NEPA, Appeals, and Litigation Coordinator at Coconino National Forest and Executive Director of the Arizona Mushroom Society, discussed “The Fungi Kingdom and Sedona Specific Fungi and Edible Mushrooms.“
On Wednesday January 11, Steve Ayers, Camp Verde’s of Economic Development Director, spoke on “Managing Growth, Wisely and Effectively”
Wednesday December 7, Dr. Jeffrey Hall, Director of Lowell Observatory spoke on “Telescopes Around (And Out Of) This World.”
Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Dr. Tom Ginn spoke on “The Role of Nuclear Power in Our Energy Future”.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, District Ranger Amy Tinderholt and Friends of the Forest President Annie Glickstein spoke on “The State of the Red Rock District.”
On Wednesday, May 11th, Janeen Trevillyan, and KSB President Craig Swanson discussed “50 Years of Sedona and KSB“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
On Wednesday, April 13, Dr. Nancy Steele discussed “What About Water in the Verde Valley?“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Panel Discussion on OHVs
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, Garry Neil answering the question “What the Heck are Lichens?”
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Wendy Hodgson, Title: “Agaves in the Southwestern United States: Discovering Lost Crops Among the Hohokam and Other Pre-Contact Arizona Cultures“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, November 10, Ted Grussing, Title: “Why We Keep Sedona Beautiful”
Wednesday, October 13, Janie Agyagos, U. S. Forest Service District Wildlife Biologist, Title: “Special Status Species in the Verde Valley“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Steven Prager, Title: “Keeping Beer and Rivers Flowing”
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, July 14, Wayne Ranney, Title: The Mogollon Rim: Arizona’s Other World-Class Landscape
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, June 9, Nikki Cooley, Diné; Co-Manager, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professional’s (ITEP) Tribes & Climate Change Program, Title: Tribal/Indigenous Knowledge & Actions to Address the Climate Crisis
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, May 12, Wendy Hodgson, Herbarium Curator Emerita and Senior Research Botanist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Title: The Grand Canyon – Stories of its Green Heart.
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, April 14 at 5:00 PM, Dr. Nancy Steele, Executive Director and CEO of Friends of the Verde River, Title: The State of the Verde: Where do we go from here?
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, March 10 at 5:00 PM, Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, Title: Artists, Celebrities, and Good Places to Drink.
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at 5:00 PM, Red Rock District Ranger Amy Tinderholt, Title: The Red Rock Ranger District: 2020 Review and 2021 Outlook
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday January 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM, Dr. Ed Wolfe, Title: “Our Water – A diminishing Resource”
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 5:00 PM, Barry Mallis, “Paleogeology of Sedona“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM, Jeff Hall, Director of Lowell Observatory , “Dark Skies and All the News from Lowell Observatory by Jeff Hall“
Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 , Gwen Waring, Writer, Ecologist and Artist, “The Natural History of the San Francisco Peaks“
Via ZOOM Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020, McKenzie Jones, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Sedona, “City of Sedona’s Efforts on Climate Action Plan“
Via ZOOM Watch a Zoom Recording at this link. This is being provided by KSB for personal use only.