HERITAGE AREA NEWS

In The News

May
27
2025

Exhibit Colorado River Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

Exhibit Colorado River Lifeblood of the Yuma Community’ opens May 29

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May
7
2025

After Dark at a Haunted Prison - Josh Bootzin Yuma Sun

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Apr
24
2025

The Witching Hour

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Jan
28
2025

Yuma state parks admitted over 60K visitors in 2024

Yuma state parks admitted over 60K visitors in 2024

  • By Josh Bootzin Sun Staff Writer
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  •  Updated 

  • The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area admitted more than 60,000 visitors to its state parks in fiscal year 2024, provided public tours to nearly 4,000 people and generated support from 70 volunteers across all of its educational and community event programs.

    Executive Director Cathy Douglas attended the Jan. 14 Yuma City Council work session to provide an update on the Yuma Crossing accomplishments from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sep. 30, 2024.

    Yuma Crossing encapsulates seven square miles in and around the city of Yuma, responsible for maintenance and operation of 400 acres of restored wetlands along three contiguous miles of the Colorado River, in addition to the operation of the Colorado River and Yuma Territorial Prison state historic parks.

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Jan
25
2025

Wild West Days

Wild West Days

  • Photos by Josh Bootzin/Yuma Sun
    •    
  •  Updated 

The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park hosted its inaugural Wild West Days event on Saturday, Jan. 25, drawing over 1,000 visitors for the museum's most-attended single-day event in recent memory. Jay Walker hosted a day of Wild West shootout reenactments, live music performances, a Victorian runway show, a mustache and beard contest and much more. "We're just so excited that Yuma showed up for this event," Yanna Kruze, prison manager, said.

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Jan
23
2025

Experience the Wild West at the Yuma Territorial Prison

Experience the Wild West at Yuma Territorial Prison

  • By Josh Bootzin Sun Staff Writer
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  • Have you ever wanted to take a trip back in time to the Wild West? The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area has you covered, hosting Wild West Days, the first event of its kind, on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.

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Jan
11
2025

Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest

  • Photos by Josh Bootzin/Yuma Sun
    •    
  •  Updated 

The Colorado River State Historic Park hosted a sidewalk chalk art contest on Saturday morning, Jan. 11. More than 15 entrants from all age groups designed a square of the park's sidewalk and got to take home a free box of chalk.

Members of the Mountain Shadows Artists Association served as the judges to choose this year's winners.

 

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Sep
24
2024

New generation of water conservationists, wildlife experts and… prison escapees

New generation of water conservationists, wildlife experts and… prison escapees?

  • By Josh Bootzin Sun Staff Writer
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  •  Updated 

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Jun
11
2024

Stay cool in Yuma with 5 awesome water hikes

Stay cool in Yuma with 5 awesome water hikes

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Apr
3
2024

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $25 Million from Investing in America Agenda to Protect Wetlands in Arizona

Media Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
 
For Release: Apr 3, 2024

YUMA, Ariz. — The Department of the Interior today announced a $25 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to protect and maintain two areas important for resilience and drought mitigation in the Southwest — the Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh in Arizona.                                                                                                                                

“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have historic new resources to safeguard western communities in the face of severe drought conditions, restore ecosystems and build a sustainable future,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain. “Building on our significant milestones this year to protect the Colorado River System, we are continuing to bring every tool and resource to bear to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System and increase water efficiency across the West.”

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton joined leadership of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, the city of Yuma, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area at the Yuma East Wetlands to make the announcement.

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