Applications are now open for the Friends of the Verde River’s River Friendly Living grant program that is slated to award $230,000 in water conservation project funding to residents and organizations in the Verde River Watershed.
The residential grant awards are increasing this year to a maximum of $5,000 while the organization grants are $10,000. The watershed includes Oak Creek, Sycamore Creek, Wet Beaver Creek and West Clear Creek tributaries.
“We have a growing population in the Verde Valley, which can be managed and handled,” Friends of the Verde River Executive Director W. David Gressly said. “So it’s important that we introduce these ways of conserving water that allow growth to continue, but in a sustainable way and we expect continued growth throughout the Verde Valley. We’re interested in seeing these grants continue and we’re trying to expand where we work.”
The grants provide businesses and residents the opportunity to upgrade water conservation infrastructure — everything from rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping to improved irrigation work, such as clearing out irrigation canals — to save excessive amounts of water from being used and water flowing in the Verde River.
The grants are “made possible through local business support, an ongoing partnership with Salt River Project and grant funding from the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority,” a Friends press release reads. “All of these organizations share Friends’ 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.”
The Friends began awarding grants in 2014. The early funding came from advisory services offered to private businesses on river-friendly development, generating about $10,000 annually for community grants. The recent support from SRP and WIFA has expanded available funding, with an estimated total savings of 122.2 million gallons of water since 2021, according to Friends Project Manager Isaac Dudley.
“This year, we have another grant from WIFA … to cover the Clarkdale and Prescott area,” Gressly said. “So we’re looking at a watershed-wide approach as well, because it’s important to take a larger look at the situation.”
While the exact funding amount for a project can vary a bit depending on where it is within the watershed all residents and organizations in Sedona and the Verde Valley are encouraged to apply.
“Most people don’t realize that 25% of the water used in the Phoenix metro area comes from the Verde River,” Gressly said. “Over the past decade, we’ve restored more than [about] 12,000 acres of riparian habitat along the river, removing invasive species and making the Middle Verde one of the most invasive-free stretches of river in the Southwest. … [So] we’re taking a holistic approach to protecting the entire watershed and keeping it as natural and beautiful as possible for future generations.”
Gressly added that he anticipates the Friends will release its 2025 Verde Watershed Report Card later this year.
“That’s our update over the 2020 report card,” Gressly said. “So stay tuned for that and it should give us an interesting idea of any positive or negative trends … across the watershed.”
“In addition to the grants we do work with businesses, particularly developers on projects that they’re engaged with to help them find ways to conserve water as much as possible,” Gressly said. “We’ve had some good successes throughout the valley in Camp Verde, with Sycamore Apartments. We’re working with Best Western [Arroyo Roble] hotel in Sedona, for example, on their project for renovating that piece of property.”
To be eligible for funding, applicants must join the River Friendly Living program by first completing either the River Friendly Home Checklist or Business Survey. Participation involves actions such as conserving water, invasive species removal and supporting conservation efforts through donations or volunteering.
Grant applications for this first cycle are due by Sunday, Aug., 31 with additional cycles closing on Friday, Oct. 31, and Tuesday, March 31. For more information visit verderiver.org/grants.
