April is Earth Month! My boyfriend and I recently visited the Grand Canyon to celebrate our five-year anniversary. Each year we choose a different place in Arizona to explore together and make memories. Both of us being Arizona transplants from California, we had yet to experience the Grand Canyon in all its glory. Being connected with such a large part of nature was awe inspiring and one of the best ways to get in the Earth Day spirit.
We took the train from Williams and experienced the cool mountain breeze flowing in through the open windows. We saw groundhogs, mule deer, coyotes and other wildlife as we made our way north to the Grand Canyon National Park. Did you know that the park has 2,500 year-long residents? In the peak summer vacation season they have upwards of 5,000 employees living in the park! The Grand Canyon is also the second most visited national park in the nation, with over six million visitors in 2016.
If you live in Arizona and you have yet to visit our state’s grandest treasure, do yourself a favor and book your trip. In addition to the stunning beauty of northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon itself, Xanterra Parks and Resorts does their part to keep that beauty sustained. I really appreciated the eco-friendly initiatives throughout the park, like water refill stations (no water bottles are sold at all), the use of refillable toiletries in the hotel bathroom in lieu of disposable packets, sustainable dining options, an abundance of compost and recycling receptacles, and more.
Get involved this month by attending the amazing Earth Day events listed on our Green Scenes calendar and in ads and editorial throughout this issue. No matter which city you live in, there will be an Earth Day celebration near you!
Also featured in this issue: Stardust Building Supplies celebrates 20 years and 80 million pounds diverted from landfills; the importance of organic hay for healthy horses; tips to transform your water-thirsty yard into a water-wise escape; 10 ways to save the planet; details on Valley Bike Month; the stunning Falcon Nest energy-efficient Prescott home; a spotlight on the benefits of local banking; and much more! Don’t forget about our cover story on Candice Drake-Hopkin and her son Kade Powell and their journey to improve the lives of cancer patients. Learn more about their inspirational story on page 9 and experience the unveiling of her new eco skincare line, Candice Drake Cosmetics, at our April launch party on Wednesday, April 12, from 5:30-7:30 at SCNM in Tempe. Find out more at greenlivingaz.com/party.
Take time to be at one with nature this spring, before the Phoenix heat has us all hiding indoors. Visit our Facebook page and tell us your favorite place in Arizona to experience nature and be entered to win a prize!
Amanda Harvey | Associate Editor
