Friday, February 28, the Arizona Elk Society held its first annual fundraiser golf tournament at Oak Creek Country Club in Sedona, Arizona. We had a beautiful February day with light winds, sunny skys, and a temperature in the low 70’s. We could not have asked for better conditions. Our golfers started arriving at around 9 AM to get checked in and practice on the putting green and driving range.
After a brief introduction from the golf course director and from Russ J. explaining the rules, contests, etc. each team made their way out to the course. We had a long drive contest on 
hole 6, a cannon shot with compressed air cannon on hole 11, closest to the pin on hole 16, and all 4 par 3 holes had hole in one prizes. The lowest scores for the day were well under par, and each person had a great time out on the course. Each person was provided with a goodie bag that had tees, ball markers, a rack card for the tournament, a HRO brochure, and a water/sack lunch.
We also sold general raffle tickets and had a silent auction that was going on in the banquet hall. After everyone got in from their rounds, we announced all the silent auction winners and gave out approximately 75 raffle prizes, 1st through 3rd place teams, last place trophies, and contest hole prizes while eating supper. Overall, for our first golf tournament, this was a huge success.
We would again like to thank all of our major sponsors including AIMS companies, Kirkwood Builders, Banicki Construction, and Genie Plumbing and our volunteers that came up to help make this a huge success. We were able to raise some great funds for our Heroes Rising Outdoors programs!
We will definitely be putting on a tournament in 2026 somewhere in the Phoenix Valley. Be on the lookout for further posts and upcoming dates.
If so you'll want to sign up for our youth hunt camp. The hunt number was 3067.
Below is the link to register for the learn to hunt camp
Project season is wrapped up and we're already planning for next summer. Stay tuned for updates about upcoming volunteer opportunities. To get on the list early click below to email Russ.
We are ramping up our Sawyer Program. Out first project is March 15-16th. If your certification is expired that's okay! Or if you are interested to see our sawyers in action come on out,help and see if this is for you! Click the form below or email Lindsay at lindsayl@arizonaelksociety.org
We have a few dates on the books so far. If you have questions regarding projects please email Russ at russj@arizonaelksociety.org. 
If you can volunteer please fill out the form below.
April 11-12 Blue Ridge II, White Mountains
May 16-18 Leonard Canyon, Unit 5A
August 1-3 Apache Maid, Unit 6A
Our spring Wild in the City event took place on March 1st, bringing a day full of hands-on learning and outdoor adventures for kids eager to explore new skills. Designed to introduce urban youth to activities they might not otherwise experience, Wild in the City continues to grow, offering fresh opportunities and collaborations each time.
This spring, we introduced some exciting new lessons and worked with fantastic groups to give the kids new unforgettable experiences. Archery is always a crowd favorite, but this time, Corner Archery joined us, providing top-notch instruction that truly inspired the kids—some even expressed interest in taking up the sport!
A highlight of the day was the AZ Raptor Center, which arrived early to teach the kids about falconry, bird rescue, and the vital role these raptors play in nature. The awe on the kids' faces as they watched a golden eagle, barn owl, and peregrine falcon up close was priceless.
Another standout moment was with EmpoweRanch, where the kids learned proper horse grooming techniques, how to approach and interact safely with horses, and, of course, enjoyed 
a special moment when the horses joined us for the group photo!
Gold panning made a return, with Al O. and his team teaching kids the proper technique—an especially rewarding lesson since each child got to take home their very own gold pan!
We also introduced a brand-new activity: basic first aid, led by Dany S. The kids practiced CPR on dummies, learning to keep rhythm by singing a song while performing compressions. One of the most memorable moments was when two kids hilariously chose the Rafi Rafi jingle for their CPR rhythm—an experience they won’t soon forget! This station also featured survival bracelet-making, a longtime favorite.
Fishing at Biscuit Tank was another success, thanks to Jim L. and his experienced crew. After a slow day last November, we were thrilled to see kids reeling in fish this time—some impressively big ones, too! The rifle range remains a favorite, and we switched things up this time: in the morning, kids shot .22 rifles outdoors, while in the afternoon, the younger kids honed their skills with pellet guns at our indoor range.
For the wildlife lesson, we focused specifically on elk—our namesake—led by Betty and Bob P. The kids learned fascinating elk facts and wrapped up the session with a fun round of bingo (with candy prizes, of course!). One of my favorite moments at Wild in the City is always the end of the day, when we hand out the kids’ gifts and ask about their favorite parts of the event. This time, each child received a gold pan, and their responses about what they enjoyed most were as varied as the activities themselves—proof that every lesson made an impact!
A huge thank you to the West Valley Mavericks for their continued support in making this event possible. Their generosity helps us provide these incredible experiences, and we are truly grateful.
Until next time—keep exploring the wild!
Wapiti Weekend will be here before you know it! Do you want to guarantee your kids a spot? Then sign up to volunteer early and we'll make sure to get them registered early!Weplanonopening registration to the public the first week of April. So sign up to volunteer today! We're so thankful to have booked Memorial Day Weekend, bring your family for everyone to enjoy time together and celebrate the beginning of summer.
AES partners with NWTF to put on this learn to hunt camp for our youth. The dates are April 17th-20th. Come out and see if you can find this elusive bird! The hunt units are 23, 4A,4B & 3C. If you weren't lucky enough to be drawn no worries! Units 4A, 4B & 3C are over the counter youth tags. AES is in charge of set up and cooking. Please consider volunteering for this event.
February 27th
On Thursday, February 27th, in partnership with EmpoweRanch, our fourth VORTEX (Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience) session kicked off with beautiful weather, tacos (yes!), snacks, and hearty conversation! We discussed in-the-moment coping skills and what we do or could choose to do to maintain a healthy baseline of stress tolerance. This also led to an opportunity for discussion and demonstration of how to set expectations for respectful boundaries in our space.
Next, it was time to join the herd! We greeted the equines and settled into the comfort they provide. We each chose our spots in the shade and sun alongside our equines, wherever each person preferred. We reviewed what we had learned at past sessions regarding how equines demonstrate relaxation and discussed how our emotions and energy level can be reflected by the herd.
We all participated in a guided meditation featuring Progressive Muscle Relaxation with the horses in our midst. As the exercise progressed, we began to notice a change in the horses' 
behavior. Most significant of all was Dancer, our most intuitive of the herd. As we moved through the last part of the practice, she changed her behavior and began showing very clear signs of relaxation, yawning over and over, stretching, and shaking her head and neck. This was a great demonstration of how horses can mirror our state of relaxation, helping us recognize when a coping skill or exercise is helping us achieve the desired effect when it can be difficult to recognize ourselves at first.
At the end of the exercise, we shared our experience and observations and discussed how this experience might be useful moving forward. I don't think anyone wanted to leave the serenity of the ranch for our travels through traffic, knowing the anxiety and frustration rush hour traffic could provoke. However, this VORTEX experience provided an opportunity to step into the rest of our day with a lighter heart and a little more resilience for what may come our way beyond the ranch gates.
March 20th
Thursday, March 20th, Heroes Rising Outdoors in partnership with EmpoweRanch held our fifth spring 2025 VORTEX session. Veterans returned to EmpoweRanch after a couple weeks hiatus due to weather and health conditions. Everyone was eager to catch up, reconnect, and engage in the adventure ahead!
Our discussions during check-in revealed some exciting progress and accomplishments as well as sharing of anxiety-provoking experiences followed by expressions of support, empathy, encouragement, and care. One uplifting progression was demonstrated by Jo. Jo showed up with her new prosthetic leg and stood up out of her wheelchair on both legs using minimal support! She shared that she was told she would never walk again, and she is determined to prove otherwise.
We also shared some relevant therapeutic veteran resources we discovered during EmpoweRanch’s time at the Veterans Recreation and Resource Fair, such as the Motorcycle Relief Project and Warrior Songs. This led to an open invitation from one of our veterans to attend a drum circle for veterans with him that evening following this session.
Next, we discussed our plan for the equine-assisted activity. Rio, our miniature horse, has basically been on vacation for the last three years or so. It was time for him to get his spunky self back in action, and our VORTEX veterans were ready to welcome him back!
We worked together to design and set up an obstacle course to lead Rio through. As a group, we decided on a pattern. Then, we reviewed proper leading technique, emphasizing the need to treat Rio with the respect of a full-size horse, even though he’s “fun size”.
Each veteran led Rio through the course with the support of their fellow veterans and our team providing guidance and encouragement, giving instruction whenever requested and offering support when we observed the need. Each veteran had their own distinct style or approach to leading which they adapted as needed to problem-solve throughout the course.
Last, we mixed it up with a spontaneous course, increasing the challenge with both handling Rio effectively, following instructions in the moment, and relying on fellow veterans each step of the way. This was a fun way to challenge our veterans a bit more while also increasing confidence, communication skills, teamwork, problem solving skills, and creativity. At the end, we all celebrated and gave Rio some extra scratches and attention.
Looking around, you could see that everyone’s mood was elevated. We were all talking with each other, laughing and savoring the moment. The stressors that we carried on our shoulders when we arrived at the ranch took a backseat in favor of camaraderie, connection, and a sense of shared understanding and support as well as a sense of accomplishment. Each person walked or rolled through the challenges in our own unique way, but together, we finished strong, ready for the next adventure at the ranch and beyond.
March 27th
On Thursday, March 27 Heroes Rising Outdoors in partnership with EmpoweRanch held our 6th spring 2025 VORTEX session. For this session, we wanted to have more of a relaxing session with our veterans. One of our veterans brought a guitar and played some music beforehand, along with some singing.
During check-in, everyone discussed how they were feeling for that day and how the week had gone for them. Answers varied from feeling overwhelmed to feeling excited for what the day had to bring. Each person got a chance to answer a question of the week which was what do you do when you feel yourself spiraling downward. Some of the answers given gave each of us new insights on how we can handle given situations on a day-to-day basis, maybe a way of dealing with stress, anger, or other issues in a new light we hadn’t thought of before. Also, each person got a chance to answer a specific act of service that they could think of that made them feel better.
After check-in, we headed out to the horses and started our day with a guided meditation close to the animals and practicing a quick release knot. This helped us to clear our minds and relax. We got to give some love to the horses afterwards, petting them, and feeding them hay. Our last activity for the day involved heading back over to the table and painting some rocks. Each person had a unique idea for what they were going to paint, and they turned out really good.
We will take a week break before we have our last session on April 9 for the spring. This has been a great spring VORTEX with great veterans, and we are already in the planning stages for our fall session.
This premier training symposium by Western National Parks Association (WNPA),brings together the public lands community for an impactful event from June 24–26, 2025, at The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
Registration is underway for TerraSync 2025, a three-day training symposium designed to equip public lands professionals with essential skills, knowledge, and connections. The event features training sessions approved by the Department of the Interior and developed in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) leadership.
"TerraSync 2025 offers attendees the skills, connections, and fresh perspectives needed to support national parks and public lands,” said Marie Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer of WNPA. “This event fosters collaboration, innovation, and meaningful dialogue in a setting that celebrates the diverse cultures within the public lands community. Attendees will cultivate essential professional relationships and gain forward-thinking strategies to enhance visitor experiences and strengthen stewardship efforts as we work together to preserve our natural, cultural, and historical heritage.”
Keynote Speakers:
TerraSync 2025 is particularly beneficial for frontline and mid-level leaders who form the backbone of many conservation and public lands organizations. Special guestroom rates are available at The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa for attendees.
For more information and to register, visit http://terrasync.org.
February 28th HRO Golf Outing
March 1st Wild in the City
April 5th Mesa Banquet
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