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Picture more than 1,500 acres of the Colorado River shoreline, much of it so choked with reeds and nonnative vegetation that it's unusable for recreation. Now picture those same acres cleared - offering bike paths, walking paths and an 80-mile equestrian trail. How about adding a butterfly garden, a hummingbird garden, a boat ramp, canoes and acre upon acre of cottonwood, mesquite and other native plants?
Now how about a solar garden? Sound like paradise?
Well, the folks of Yuma think so. In fact, with the help of APS, this paradise is becoming a reality. The West Wetlands Project, which is part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, began in 1991. At that time, the city's Parks and Recreation Department began efforts to convert a former city landfill site. With the bulk of support coming from federal grants and volunteer support, the park is now billed as an eco-tourism destination and boasts a substantial habitat along the lower Colorado River.
While APS has been a significant partner in this area's development, its most recent contribution was the dedication of Yuma West Wetlands' APS Solar Garden, which is another energy generation source for Yuma customers.
The facility, which is open for tours, is a solar energy power plant that already is producing enough electricity to power approximately 20 of the area's homes. In the future, some of the energy also will be used in the park.
"There is no more appropriate place in the city than the West Wetlands Park to place this type of project," said APS Community Development Consultant Donna Phipps. "The APS Solar Garden is closely aligned with our mission of conservation and preservation of our natural resources and our educational outreach."
The plant consists of 24 single-axis photovoltaic trackers. Each will produce 3,500 watts of electricity, which will be fed directly into the electrical grid. APS was the first private partner in this effort, according to Charlie Flynn, executive director, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.
"Now we have hundreds of partners, but somebody had to step up first; that's how things happen. APS was the first party. For this, we are so grateful."
In addition to APS' financial contributions, APS employees donated countless volunteer hours to this effort.
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