Friends of the Verde River is proud to announce the award of 33 River Friendly Living Grants this year, providing a record-breaking $96,000 in funding to support water conservation and habitat improvement projects for River Friendly homes and businesses. These homes and businesses have committed to voluntary river conservation through the River Friendly Living program. Grants are made available annually for program participants to continue their conservation efforts, with this being a record year for the program.
The funded projects include a variety of water-saving initiatives, including irrigation efficiency upgrades, graywater reuse systems, rain harvesting, lawn removal and the implementation of smart metering technology. Additionally, several projects will focus on invasive species removal and the installation of pollinator gardens to enhance wildlife habitats.
This milestone in funding is made possible through local business support, an ongoing partnership with the Salt River Project and grant funding from the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority. All of these organizations share FVR’s commitment to a healthy Verde River. SRP’s contribution is focused specifically on supporting water efficiency projects as part of their goal to conserve 5 billion gallons of water through partnership by 2035.
Furthermore, thanks to funding from the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, 11 projects located in the Town of Camp Verde have been selected for funding. This targeted investment supports local water conservation efforts and helps ensure the sustainability of Camp Verde’s precious water resources.
Friends of the Verde River is pleased to announce that in 2025 the River Friendly Living Grant program will expand to include two grant cycles. The spring cycle will be specifically for Camp Verde residents and businesses with a deadline of March 31. The annual fall grant cycle will be available for all program participants in the Verde River watershed and SRP service area. The deadline for the 2025 fall grant cycle will be Oct. 31.
For more information on how to apply for River Friendly Living Grants, visit verderiver.org/get-involved/about-river-friendly-living/small-grants-for-the-river.
