• Apply for a grant by Oct 31st!

    Homeowners can apply for up to $1,000, and businesses/organizations can apply for up to $5,000 annually with our River Friendly Living grants.

    Learn More

  • Become an Otter Spotter

    Keep an eye out for otters along the Verde River—your sightings help support vital watershed research!

    Learn More

  • Become a Water Quality Volunteer

    Help protect the Verde River by collecting water samples to identify and solve water issues. Sign up now and make a real impact on your own schedule!

    Sign up
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  • Apply for a grant by Oct 31st!

    Homeowners can apply for up to $1,000, and businesses/organizations can apply for up to $5,000 annually with our River Friendly Living grants.

    Learn More

  • Become an Otter Spotter

    Keep an eye out for otters along the Verde River—your sightings help support vital watershed research!

    Learn More

  • Become a Water Quality Volunteer

    Help protect the Verde River by collecting water samples to identify and solve water issues. Sign up now and make a real impact on your own schedule!

    Sign up
123
Link to: Volunteer Welcome & Appreciation Party

Get Involved

Volunteer Welcome & Appreciation Party

Join us for a special event to celebrate our amazing volunteers and welcome new ones! We’re gathering to show our appreciation for all your hard work and share exciting upcoming volunteer opportunities. Come learn about programs like Otter Spotter, the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival, Water Quality Testing, MLK Day of Service, and more!

Enjoy delicious Chipotle catering (vegetarian options available) and connect with fellow volunteers. Plus, when you sign up for the Otter Spotter program, you’ll receive a fun Otter Spotter sticker!

Location: Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

RSVP by noon on 11/6/24 so we can get a headcount for our food order.

Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

Celebrate

Fiesta de la Garza – Dec 5, 2024

Our annual Fiesta de la Garza celebration is right around the corner on December 5, 2024. We’re holding it again at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel! This night will be filled with awards, auctions, and celebrations as we honor the dedication and contributions of our community members and partners who support the mission of Friends of the Verde River.

Become a Table Sponsor

Help us keep the Verde River flowing by sponsoring Fiesta de la Garza! Sponsorship is an incredible way to show your support while enjoying an unforgettable evening. We are currently seeking table sponsors.

Learn More
Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

Announcement

2023 Annual Impact Report

View Friends of the Verde River’s 2023 Annual Impact Report including State of the Watershed Conference, Fiesta de la Garza 2022 Honorees, events, statistics and much more.

View the Report
Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

On Sale

Discover the Magic of the Verde River with Our Book

Have you heard about our beautifully illustrated children’s book, On the Verde River? It was recently featured at the 2024 National Book Festival as part of the Library of Congress’s “Great Reads” program, representing Arizona’s literary heritage.

Written by Arizona author Phoebe Fox, with stunning illustrations by Jim Fox, On the Verde River takes children on a captivating journey along the Verde River, introducing them to the diverse life and beauty of this important ecosystem. Perfect for children aged 2 to 10, this hardcover book nurtures curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love of nature.

Special Gift Package: $40 – Includes the hardcover book, an adorable stuffed otter, a heron patch and a blank greeting card. This makes a wonderful gift for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.

Buy the book

About Us

Keeping the Verde Flowing!

The Verde River is one of Arizona’s few remaining flowing rivers. The river and its tributaries, such as Granite Creek, Sycamore Creek, Oak Creek, and Fossil Creek, provide lush corridors of life as they wind their way through beautiful, iconic, and arid landscapes. The Verde River system is an environmental and cultural treasure for local communities, the state of Arizona, and beyond.

Friends of the Verde River (Friends) envisions a healthy, flowing Verde River and tributaries that support our natural environment, vibrant communities, and quality of life for future generations.

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Our Approach

We focus our work on restoring habitat, sustaining river flows, and building supportive communities. We proactively engage in a combination of “boots-on-the-ground” projects and policy solutions guided by sound conservation principles and which meet human and environmental needs in an outcomes-oriented manner. Below are some of our initiatives:

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Water

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Land

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Land

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People

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People

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Events and Information

What’s New

Upcoming Events

Friends of the Verde River - MLK Day of Service

MLK Day of Service

MLK Day of Service, January 20, 2025 volunteers work on projects in the Verde Valley including invasive species removal, gully restoration and trash clean-ups.
Friends of the Verde River volunteer

Volunteer Welcome & Appreciation Party

Join us for our Volunteer Appreciation and Welcome Party on November 7, 2024 from 4 -6pm in Cottonwood! Celebrate our volunteers, enjoy Chipotle catering, and learn about exciting upcoming opportunities.
people at fiesta de la garza

Fiesta de la Garza

Join us for Fiesta de la Garza on December 5, 2024, a night of awards, auctions, and celebration, as we honor the dedication of our community members and partners supporting the mission of Friends of the Verde River.
See More Events

Event Sponsorship

Become an Event Sponsor

Our Event Sponsors are important partners who enjoy special recognition and other perks.

For more information, contact:
Grace Filson, Events and Fundraising Coordinator
gracef@verderiver.org

Download Our Sponsorship Packet

In the Know

Stay Informed on all things Verde River

Friends respects the privacy of individual donors and, except where disclosure is required by law, will not sell or otherwise make available the names and contact information of donors without providing them an opportunity at least once a year to opt out of the use of their names.

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Sign up for more Listening to the Verde content

Friends respects the privacy of individual donors and, except where disclosure is required by law, will not sell or otherwise make available the names and contact information of donors without providing them an opportunity at least once a year to opt out of the use of their names.

Make an Impact

Link to: About River Friendly Living

River Friendly Living

Empowering local residents, businesses, and governments to make choices that protect the Verde River.

Link to: Volunteer

Volunteer

The Verde River needs your help! Volunteers are critical to the work we do and we would love for you to join us in our efforts.

Link to: Donate

Donate

You can protect the Verde River and its threatened wildlife today!

© Copyright 2024 Friends of the Verde River. All Rights Reserved.