Forest Service to Host Public Meetings for Arizona National Scenic Trail

Albuquerque, NM – The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will host six public meetings in August throughout Arizona to discuss development of a comprehensive plan for the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

The comprehensive plan is being developed in partnership with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Parks, local governments, and the Arizona Trail Association. The plan will guide management of the trail for the next 15 to 20 years.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail stretches over 800 miles from Mexico to the Utah border. Thousands of hikers, runners, mountain bicyclists, and horseback riders enjoy the trail each year. It stretches through seven Arizona counties, four National Forests, one state park, four National Park Service sites including Grand Canyon National Park, and two Bureau of Land Management units. The Arizona National Scenic Trail was added to the National Trails System by Congress in 2009. It is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails nationwide.

“This trail has been a community project from day one,” said Laura White, Forest Service Trail Administrator. “We hope supporters of the trail will take this opportunity to help us craft a long-term vision for its management and protection.”

All public meetings are open house format and run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A short presentation on the plan will begin at 6 p.m. Meeting dates and locations are:

  • Tuesday, August 8, 2017
    Julia Randall Elementary School Gymnasium 600 S Green Valley Pkwy., Payson, Arizona
  • Wednesday, August 9, 2017
    Kanab City Library Multipurpose room, 374 N Main St., Kanab, Utah
  • Thursday, August 10, 2017
    Flagstaff Aquaplex Community Meeting Room A, 1702 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff, Arizona
  • Tuesday, August 15, 2017
    Patrick K. Hardesty Midtown Multi-Service Center, 1100 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona
  • Wednesday, August 16, 2017
    Superior Chamber of Commerce, 165 Main St., Superior, Arizona
  • Thursday, August 17, 2017
    Pyle Adult Education Center – Multipurpose Room B, 655 E Southern Ave., Tempe, Arizona

Topics covered at each meeting include trail management, connectivity with local communities, access for recreation, and long-term protection. Attendees will be able to review the preliminary Forest Service proposed action and provide feedback.

The meetings are scheduled during a 60-day comment period that begin August 1.

Information on the Arizona National Scenic Trail Comprehensive Plan can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/azt/land-resources-management/

The National Trails System is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. More information can be found at: https://www.trails50.org/

For more information on the Arizona National Scenic Trail, please contact Laura White at (520)-388-8328 or laurawhite@fs.fed.us.

Forest Service Hiring for 2017 Temporary Positions

ALBUQUERQUE NM — The Forest Service is gearing up for another round of temporary hiring. From November 08 – November 14, 2016, the agency will be accepting applications for over 1,000 temporary spring and summer jobs in New Mexico and Arizona. Positions are available in multiple fields, including fire, recreation, natural resources, timber, engineering, visitor services, and archaeology.

Applications must be submitted on www.USAJOBS.gov from November 08 – November 14, 2016. Interested applicants are encouraged to create a profile on USAJOBS in advance to save time once the hiring process begins.

Forest Service representatives will notify selected applicants by email or phone. Applicants not selected will be notified by e-mail. More information about temporary employment in the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region can be found at: R3 Jobs Outreach.

The Southwestern Region consists of 11 National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico; and national grasslands in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Working in the Southwestern Region is very rewarding and requires talented people working safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions; including Archeology, Range, Timber, Recreation, Engineering, Wildlife, Administration and Fire and Aviation Management. To learn more about the U.S. Forest Service in the Southwestern Region National Forests, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r3/home.

The Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.