Remembering Our Sacred Place in Nature

Thank you for your support with this important land recovery !!

Rescuing the Life of the Verde River

In February 2021, a tract of land which holds great historical significance was presented to The Mother Earth Restoration Trust (The MERT) for consideration in preserving an invaluable source of water. In March 2021, through consultations with The Mother Earth carried out in the Heart of the World by Elders of the Four Peoples of the Earth, it was immediately seen that the life of the river is under threat and her life in danger. As all matters pertaining to Mother Earth Restoration, consultations further showed that She, The Mother Herself, is who is sending this “opportunity” as a request to act on Her behalf.

Introduction to Land Recovery Process: Protecting the Headwaters of the Verde River is crucial in restoring and protecting an area in the Southwestern United States of critical Bio-Cultural value for all the Americas, beginning with the life of the river. The tract of land in mention is home to the 7 springs that constitute the Verde River’s birth.

The MERT is currently in the process of securing the 42.74 acres land tract and has entered into a purchase agreement that in its initial phase has until April 22nd to procure 50% ($475,000) of the total purchase price of $950,000. Please see attached docs for details.

We have raised $180,361.00 for the Hidden Verde Land Recovery. Therefore, we still have $309,639.00 remaining to continue to raise by April 22nd. This includes $15,000 towards closing fees and unforeseen expenses.

Once the land recovery is achieved, MERT will bring to full consultation the long-term healing and restoring process, that under the guidance of the Mother, is to unfold henceforth with many others in common unity and purpose.

General Information about the Verde River (internet information)

ANIMALS

A major component of the Colorado River Basin, the Verde River is a critical flyway for migratory birds. The Verde supports the largest number of bald eagle breeding areas of any river in the state and is one of only three rivers in Arizona with populations of river otter.

Species such as the federally endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and the yellow-billed cuckoo depend on the river’s woody riparian forests of cottonwood, willow and ash for their tenuous survival.

The Verde River supports a high density of breeding birds; over 200 resident and neo-tropical migratory bird species have been recorded. Rare species of reptiles and amphibians, and many species of native fish.

The Verde is also home to bobcat, grey fox, coyote, jackrabbit, javelina and mountain lion. One animal in particular – the beaver – is busy transforming the middle Verde into a healthy river home for river otter, native fish and other creatures.

PLANTS

Sections of the Verde River are contiguous with Prescott and Coconino national forests, Tuzigoot National Monument and the U.S. Forest Service’s Verde Valley Botanical Area. Among rare plants found here are Verde Valley sage, Ripley wild buckwheat and Arizona cliff rose. More common plants along the river are cottonwoods, willows, mesquite, crucifix thorn and grey thorn.

VERDE RIVER FACTS

The Verde River nourishes one of the last Fremont cottonwood/Goodding willow gallery forests in Arizona. There are only 20 in the entire world.

While most Southwestern rivers begin in mountainous regions with more precipitation than the lowlands below, the Verde begins in a broad alluvial basin in the Big Chino Valley.

Competing water rights and rapid population growth in the Prescott metropolitan area and other nearby parts of Yavapai County is a large concern as the increased pumping in Big and Little Chino valleys has greatly reduced the base flow in the Verde River. The river runs 185 miles from central Arizona to the Phoenix metropolitan area, supplying water for drinking, and agriculture for more than 4 million people.