January eNewsletter

Four Peaks Recovery Mission Restores Hundreds of Native Cacti

BY KATIE LABELLE

As a proud Arizona native, I have always loved and appreciated the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. My family and I are avid outdoor enthusiasts and we often spend our free time off-roading, exploring new trails and camping. Over the years, one of our favorite areas has become the Four Peaks Wilderness Area, approximately 30 minutes northeast of Phoenix. Understanding the need to keep our deserts clean and free of trash, I have been a volunteer with the Copperstate 4 Wheelers at their annual Four Peaks Cleanup for the past six years. Since 2009, the nonprofit group has hosted an annual cleanup of the popular spot. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the group has removed an average of two tons of trash each year for the past 12 years. However, since 2020, the event has evolved and now includes a major revegetation effort. 

Repurpose, Recycle, Upcycle…A Look into The Backyard Tree Re-Use Project

BY CHRIS LALICH

The Backyard, a legendary spot in the rolling hills of Bee Cave, Texas, has an astounding 20+ year history etched across Austin’s music scene. Currently under construction, The Backyard’s new opening date is slated for 2024, and will truly be something to see. The venue will offer a wide range of experiences, including year-round entertainment through a mix of bars, restaurants, smaller live music venues, retail shops, public park, and the iconic 3,700-seat Live Oak Amphitheater.

As part of its mission to “affirm life itself by investing in culture, community and commerce,” The Backyard, in partnership with Texas Urban Sawmill, a local company that specializes in producing lumber and urban wood products by tree salvaging and re-purposing fallen and dead trees, is pursuing a Wood Innovations Grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. Launched in 2015, The Wood Innovations Grant Program works to stimulate and expand wood products and wood energy markets and helps address critical issues like climate change, forest management, damage caused by uncharacteristic wildfires, insects, disease, and invasive species, while also helping sustain local economies.

Practice, Preparation and Perseverance: RVi's Kelly Uhrich Passes the L.A.R.E.

BY SARA ALTIERI

Kelly Uhrich, Landscape Designer at RVi in Tempe, Arizona, has just completed the Landscape Architecture Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.). Congratulations to Kelly!

The L.A.R.E. is an examination that includes four sections: Project and Construction Management, Inventory and Analysis, Design, Grading and Drainage and Construction Documentation. It determines whether a candidate has adequate knowledge, abilities and skills to provide landscape architecture to meet public health and safety standards.
 

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