Bird watching may soon be a little easier at the Sedona Wetlands Preserve.

Thanks to a grant from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the city of Sedona and the Northern Arizona Audubon Society have secured partial funding for a new viewing platform at the preserve.

“There are a great number of birds that land in the large pond but since that’s within the water treatment facility, there’s no access to see them,” Sedona Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Murdoch said. “This will give them a means to see into the larger pond.”

The preserve, which has been open since late 2012, is seeking sponsorship support to increase the amenities currently available to the public. Open from dawn to dusk, it offers a mile of walking paths good for nature watching, birding and relaxing. There are restrooms and shaded picnic tables available for guests of the preserve.

To read the full story, see the Friday, Aug. 8, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.