Lifetime member and dedicated volunteer Mike H. is in need of a kidney donor. This is not something we typically include in our newsletter, but Mike has given so much of his time and heart to AES that we wanted to share his story.
RAFFLE, RAFFLE, RAFFLE!!
We're are doing the 12 days of Christmas raffle style. Starting December 11th, we'll have new raffles everyday. Don't miss out!
Your donation dollars at work! This picture is from August 19th in Northern Arizona. AES volunteers are the boots on the ground delivering water throughout Arizona. Please consider volunteering or donating today. We live in the desert. It's all about the water!
Water during the birthing season keep the mothers healthy and helps the mothers produce better quality milk and more of it for the newborns.
Water helps distribute the Elk herds and other wildlife for better utilization of the available forage. Insufficient water distribution causes wildlife to gather in specific areas, leading to excessive habitat use. This overutilization results in habitat degradation and a depletion of available food resources.
There are many areas with great habitat for wildlife but no water to sustain them. If we could increase water in areas of quality wildlife habitat and forage we can sustain more wildlife. Higher herd numbers equals more tags for hunters.
It doesn't get much prettier than this! Our water haulers have been busy keeping the catchments filled. OVER 225,000 gallons so far this year. How can you help?
Western National Parks (wnpa.org) is now accepting applications for our 2025 programs in support of public lands advocates of today and tomorrow! Whether you're a researcher,educator, student, or community leader, explore opportunities to support your work and passion for public lands, unlock park experiences for your students, or pursue your future career.
Wild in the City – Another Great Day Outdoors!
We had another outstanding Wild in the City event at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, and what an incredible day it was! Participants rotated 
througha wide variety of hands-on outdoor activities, including archery, .22 rifles and pellet-gun shooting, fire starting, survival-bracelet making, owl-pellet dissection, horsemanship, wildlife identification, and fishing.
A huge thank-you goes out to the Corner Archery coaches who led our archery stations. Their patience, skill, and enthusiasm made a tremendous impact—so many of the kids walked away excited to keep practicing. For families interested in continuing their archery journey, we highly recommend Corner Archery’s programs. You can learn more at cornerarchery.com.
EmpoweRanch joined us once again, bringing their beautiful horses for a morning of horsemanship lessons. The kids loved learning about horse care, communication, and how to feel confident around these incredible animals. EmpoweRanch also offers after-school programs and camps for those who want more time in the saddle. Visit empoweranch.org for details.
Fishing is always a Wild in the City favorite, though we never know how cooperative the fish will be. This time, every group had success! It was a joy watching so many smiling faces proudly holding up their catches. A big shout-out to our volunteers from the Arizona chapter of Trout Unlimited.
We were also excited to welcome several Girl Scout troops to this event. Seeing these young ladies step outside their comfort zones and try new outdoor skills was truly inspiring. For many, it was their first time holding and shooting a firearm—and watching their confidence grow throughout the day was incredible.
During lunch, Nancy K. from AZGFD wowed the kids with a live-animal presentation featuring her owl and snakes. The students were fascinated to learn about their unique adaptations and behaviors. We also welcomed a new volunteer, Troy, who taught Wildlife ID and brought along a turkey vulture, which quickly became a crowd favorite.
At the end of the day, as we handed out camo backpacks and flashlights, we asked each child which activity they enjoyed most. Usually, archery and shooting lead the way—but this time, every activity was mentioned. That says everything about the quality of our volunteers and how well they connect with the kids.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this Wild in the City event such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next one on February 21, 2026—and we hope to see you there!
There will be no priority or early registrations. Strictly first come first serve. To reserveyour spot on that day, it's helpful to have your account set up and verified. Click below to log in and make sure your account is active and verified.
The EmpoweRanch VORTEX (Veterans Outdoor Recreational Therapy Equine Xperience) program Fall 2025 season is underway! Eight veterans are partaking in this eight-week healing and learning journey with horses, gardens, and campfires. This program combines equine-assisted services with a recreational therapy approach for veterans seeking to improve their quality of life through intentional, fun activities harnessing the healing power of human-animal connection and the great outdoors with the guidance and leadership of the EmpoweRanch team.
AES Heroes Rising Outdoors sponsors veterans to attend this program, ensuring full access for veterans willing to commit to this powerful eight-week therapeutic equine experience at no cost to them.
Do you believe in leaving a long-lasting outdoor legacy for future generations? 
Arizona's conservation leader