advertisement
14 November 2022
Arizona sees an influx of visitors every winter hoping to enjoy the weather. Including feathered fowl such as Canada geese. As a result of urbanization, more Canada Geese are stopping in Arizona on their migration routes.
Canada geese are known across North America for their black and white heads and V-shaped migrating formations. These birds thrive in urban habitats, and humans help them by building artificial bodies of water.
advertisement
Like human snowbirds, geese flock to Arizona in the winter to stay warm. Nevertheless, some snowbirds have made a permanent home here, and most of the geese you see in the Valley are from up north. The graceful land and water creatures may seem like a beautiful addition to Arizona’s fauna, but they’ve become a nuisance.
Residents find these geese to be quite a problem, despite their beauty. Besides creating a big mess with their droppings and damaging turf, they can also be scary and territorial (especially if they have eggs around)! Geese will bite you if they feel threatened or if you get too close to their nests. Geese bites aren’t usually dangerous to humans but can cause bruising, bleeding, and infections.
As the number of artificial lakes and landscaping grows, more geese stop in Arizona instead of going further south to Mexico. Not only do they take advantage of the lakes, but they also feed on the nice Bermuda grass that’s usually next to them.
Some permanent resident geese came from a flock brought to Turf Paradise racetrack lake in the 1970s. They thought geese would be lovely in their infield lake. However, even then, there were efforts to address their population since the numbers were growing at an alarming rate.
advertisement
Over the past decade, volunteers across the Valley have been surveying the winter waterfowl population, which includes these Canadian geese. The Arizona Game and Fish Department coordinates and compiles data sent in by volunteers for the Greater Phoenix Waterbird Area Survey. In the Phoenix area, 5,517 Canadian geese were counted during the 2019 January survey. The number is up from 3,509 surveyed a decade ago.
advertisement
Arizona is home to an incredible array of museums, botanical gardens, historical landmarks, and art centers that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state. However, for many individuals and families, the cost of visiting these treasures can be a barrier. Enter Act One’s Culture Pass program, a remarkable initiative that opens doors to Arizona’s arts and culture, making it accessible to everyone, from students to retirees and under-resourced families. What is the Culture Pass? The Culture Pass is a free program offered by Act One, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to the arts across Arizona. Through partnerships
Arizona may have seen some relief in median rents from the end of 2023 to 2024, with some cities experiencing drops of up to 10% due to more available housing and the departure of pandemic-era residents. However, despite these decreases, the state remains relatively expensive in terms of housing. Arizona ranks higher in housing affordability than the rest of the nation. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Arizona has the 14th highest housing wage in the U.S. This is the average amount an individual must earn to afford a “modest” one-bedroom apartment. Why Is Living Alone in Arizona
When it comes to iconic desert landscapes, both Joshua Tree National Park and Saguaro National Park stand out for their unique features. While both are desert regions with distinctive plant life—Joshua Trees and Saguaro Cacti—they each offer vastly different experiences in terms of scenery, wildlife, and overall ambiance. For anyone who’s already visited Joshua Tree and is considering a trip to Saguaro, here’s how the two compare. Joshua Trees vs. Saguaro Cacti Joshua Tree is known for its granite outcrops and expansive, rugged landscapes. The park’s namesake Joshua Trees—strange and otherworldly—dot the Mojave Desert, creating a scene filled with grandeur.
Arizona, particularly the Valley, is home to a vibrant pizza scene, from classic New York-style slices to deep-dish masterpieces. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, finding the best pizza in Phoenix and its surrounding areas can be a delightful (albeit deliciously difficult) task. Here’s a rundown of some of the most beloved pizzerias in the Valley, according to the locals. advertisement 1. The Red Devil A favorite for many, The Red Devil has been serving up delicious pizza and wings since the early 1960s. Known for its consistently great quality, the original location at 30th Street and McDowell is
