As the sun shone through the towering pine trees near Sheriff’s Office Ramada, the group listened to the soft “whoosh” of small spheres rolling into envelopes as they sampled individual packets of specially blended heirloom seeds. I worked on filling it up. The seeds will eventually germinate into plants that support pollinating species such as butterflies and bees.

Meanwhile, the work of filling packets supports quality connections and the camper itself.

high quality connection is a Flagstaff non-profit organization that works with adults with disabilities to improve their quality of life. The organization believes that restrictions should not be a barrier to an individual’s independence or ability to participate in society and community.

As a result, many of their programs focus on bringing jobs and employable skills to people who are often overlooked in the labor market. Quality Connections supplies many local businesses with printer paper, ink, pens and other goods, provides jobs for adults with disabilities, and directs the money businesses spend into enrichment and home care programs.

Summer camps are an extension of Quality Connection’s Montessori-based coming-of-age program, teaching participants practical life, social and communication skills.

Quality Connections program coordinator Monica “Mo” Barres said packing seed packets is one of the best activities for summer camp.

“We know this is definitely something we bring to summer camp every day, because we’re outdoors. If something falls out here, it’s totally fine,” Barres said. said. . Just put this in the back of your jeep, and when you get here, just take it out and set it up, and everyone will be able to say, “I want to go planting!” ’ is what they say.”

A subtle crackling sound is heard as Barres helps campers peel the adhesive backing from each package’s label. Campers tend to like the task of packing seeds, so she peels off and sticks the labels on the envelopes one by one to hers.

Each label bears the name of one of two native plant seed blends tailored to a variety of Arizona landscapes. Each label also features the Arizona Public Service (APS) logo. That’s because the project was the brainchild of a power company biologist.

“We started working on pollinators in 2018. It was basically just a passion project. There were some,” said Connor Flynn, a biologist by profession and natural resources expert. APS.

Flynn added, “It’s a great job. When you talk to them for the first time, a lot of people are surprised that they have people like me who study biology in the power companies.”

Occasionally, he will work to determine the health of trees near power lines to monitor the danger of falling trees, but Flynn’s main job is to monitor the APS to determine impacts on wildlife. to consider project proposals from all corners of its territory.

Mr. Flynn is consulted regardless of whether the utility maintains power lines or vegetation. He works to ensure that APS activities do not affect endangered species.

Flynn said he is passionate about all kinds of flora and fauna, but has a deep appreciation for some endangered insect species in particular.

Together with a team of colleagues, he started a project to promote pollinator health. Helping the bees soon became a collaborative project.

“We want to protect pollinators, and our mission was to find the best way to do that,” Flynn said.

APS worked with Coconino National Forest to develop a weed-free seed mixture that germinates into native plant species that best support Arizona’s native pollinators.

Two blends have been developed, a mix optimized for the climates of Flagstaff and Prescott, and a dessert blend tailored to Phoenix and southern Arizona.

This seed was originally intended to be used to grow vegetation on the APS site. Eventually, Flynn said, the company realized that seeds often didn’t germinate without watering, which was a logistical challenge.

So the pollinator program turned around.

APS has launched an initiative to provide free seeds in the hands of community members and gardeners.

“We started giving seeds to people who could actually plant them, and then we started taking care of them,” Flynn said. Great project. We have had many successes. It is beneficial not only for pollinators, but also for people. “

Seed sacks give people the opportunity to support species in distress keeping the food chain intact.

Flynn teaches this concept to community children, visiting classrooms to talk about the value of pollinators.

“It’s been an inspiration for me to talk to the kids and see them get inspired about this,” Flynn said.

He describes visiting an elementary school and holding up apples, bananas and other healthy snacks in front of the room.

“Which of these foods need pollinators to grow?” I asked before explaining.

“I have been involved in environmental activism most of my life, and it can be difficult to see positive impacts from that activity. Especially when it’s something that kids take seriously and can easily understand, they get it – it helps me remember that what I’m doing is important.” said Flynn.

He distributes seed packets in classrooms, but the envelopes also go to promotional tables for events across the state and are used as branding and advocacy tools.

“When we started a pollinator program and wanted to encourage customers to plant small pollinator gardens, we put our heads together,” said APS public relations manager Janet Dean. We had all the raw materials, we found a seed supplier, we knew how to get the envelopes, we printed the labels, but how do they fit together?”

She has lived in Flagstaff for many years and has been impressed with the Quality Connections program. APS is an office supplies customer. They’re also investing in new media programs for nonprofits.

This time last year, Barrez hadn’t attended summer camp. Instead, she and her team of interested students were spray painting her desk and setting up quality equipment inside a brand new radio studio.

route 66, ghost currently broadcasts music and talk shows over the Internet from East Flagstaff.

“APS and Janet have been a huge blessing to us,” said Barres. “They gave us this grant to buy all the equipment for our radio show. It’s a very expensive thing that I couldn’t do.”

APS now replaces seed packet filling for printing services, Quarterly newspaper This article is written by an aspiring journalist from QC called Outlooks. This paper will be distributed to Quality Connections’ non-commercial partners and sold to raise funds for programming.

“Everything is very cyclical,” Barres said. “Many members find this really relaxing, and so do I. There are really good things when you achieve this. We know that this partnership means a lot to us, and we all know that it will be beneficial for our media division, so no problem, None of our members have trouble understanding the partnership and what it means to give and take.”