Arizona hotel offers "EcoRooms"

Terra Curve reports on the eco-upgrade at Arizona hotel Kings Ransom Sedona.

After the success of offering environmentally-friendly rooms at the Kings other property, the hotel chain now has 95 at this property.

The EcoRooms offer natural soaps, lotions and shampoos along with energy-efficient lighting, low-flow shower heads, use nontoxic cleaning products and reuse linen.

"Our housekeeping staff is also enthusiastic as we now use earth-friendly cleaning products which they love," said Amy Bertorelli, president of the Kings Ransom Sedona Hotel. "We believe it is vitally important for individuals and businesses to be mindful of our planet’s health and contribute to sustaining that health by implementing green practices daily."

Read the full story: Sedona hotel comes equipped with eco-ammenities

Photo from Terra Curve.com

Grand Canyon North Rim opens May 15

USA Today reports that the Grand Canyon's North Rim road will reopen on May 15.

The North Rim is closed during the winter season, but the South Rim is open year-round.

Read the full story:Grand Canyon North Rim road to reopen

Iconic cacti to be microchipped against theft

The National Parks Traveler reports that Arizona's Saguaro National Park officials could implant identifying microchips into their namesake cactus to thwart theft:

"The prickly plants, which can easily live 150 years and rise to 20 feet tall, are increasingly popular with thieves because of what they can retail for in the home landscape business. When a 6-inch cutting can sell for $25, well, you can imagine how high the prices might escalate for larger specimens."

Microchips have been implanted in cacti in Nevada's Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and are used to deter antler theft in Jackson, Wyoming's National Elk Refuge.

Read the full story: Saguaro National Park officials considering use of microchips

Peak year for western desert wildflowers

Because of intense and wet storms throughout the west this past winter, desert wildflowers should be in abundance this spring. Normally dry desert areas in such states as Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona will proliferate with colors for a short viewing season in April. The Wall Street Journal via the Miami Herald says that the popularity of viewing desert wildflowers is a growing trend and many websites on the topic have -ahem- sprung up.

Read the full story: This could be a great year