Humans have shaped the Verde Valley in a variety of ways since they first set foot 10,000 years ago. But it wasn’t until the 19th century, after man had developed the tools by which to expand his footprint on the landscape, that the valley saw wholesale changes. Those changes began with the cattle industry, were followed by the mining industry, and continue to this day as more and more of us discover the valley’s beauty. In a talk entitled,“Human Folly and Its Impact on the Verde Valley,” Steve Ayers explores the valley’s history through the lens of environmental impact.