The Town of Clarkdale is situated in the Verde Valley of central Arizona. A historic mining town, Clarkdale is known for its rich deposits of copper and other minerals and has long-standing relationships with mining companies such as Freeport-McMoRan. While Clarkdale is dedicated to preserving its history, it also recognizes it is no longer the industrial mining town of its past. Over the years, Clarkdale has prioritized sustainability initiatives and environmental programs driven by local residents and council members alike. Sited in an ecologically rich area, the connection between the local environment and economy is well understood. Dedication to sustainability is demonstrated by recent community documents and plans, such as the 2018-2019 Economic Development Plan, 2018 Sustainable Development Guidelines, and 2010 Proposal for the Clarkdale Sustainability Park.
In the Fall 2020 semester, 9 undergraduate and 2 graduate students from the SOS 498/594: Urban Sustainability Applications class partnered with the Town of Clarkdale to assist in the continuation of local sustainability efforts. Throughout the semester, students held virtual meetings with instructors
as well as town leadership, including former Mayor Doug Von Gausig, Town Manager Tracie Hlavinka, and Public Works Utilities Director Maher Hazine to advise on local context and information, and maintain project milestones. These meetings and presentations covered many topics
that helped students conduct their research, such as demographics, town characteristics, budgetary concerns, and future goals. Early in the semester, students split into topical groups based on their specific sustainability research interests.
By prioritizing sustainability practices, Clarkdale demonstrates its dedication to preserving its natural beauty and serving its community. The town has the potential to grow its role as a sustainability leader in the Verde Valley region through interventions such as the sustainability park and energy efficiency efforts. The student research and suggestions featured in the following report seek to assist Clarkdale in maximizing the potential of local sustainability programs, by proposing possible next steps for town staff to consider.