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A new partnership between Friends of the Verde River and Salt River Project (SRP) has expanded the River Friendly Living Grant Program for fall 2024. This year, the program will offer up to $52,000 in small grants to support homeowners, businesses, and organizations in both the Verde Valley and Phoenix Metro area that are dedicated to saving water and protecting the Verde River system. Projects funded by the program in 2023 are estimated to save roughly 79 million gallons this year. With the new funding from SRP, the program is poised to make an even greater impact in the Verde Watershed and SRP service areas.
Homeowners are eligible to apply for grants up to $1,000; businesses, municipalities and non-profits are eligible for up to $5,000. 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. Priority projects for SRP funding include irrigation efficiency, lawn removal, and commercial water conservation upgrades. However, diverse water stewardship projects are eligible for the broader River Friendling Living Grants Program.
For more details on eligibility and to apply, please visit the River Friendly Living Grants Program website. Applications close on October 31st, 2024.
What is River Friendly Living? Why should you participate in the River Friendly Living program?
The River Friendly Living program inspires a culture of voluntary river conservation by empowering local residents, businesses, and governments to make choices that protect the Verde River. SRP’s investment expands eligibility to residents of the Phoenix-metro area that receive water or power from SRP – using water efficiently in the Valley can reduce demand on the Verde watershed. SRP manages seven reservoirs that store water from the Salt and Verde rivers and the East Clear Creek watershed. Over half of the water supply in the Phoenix metro area comes from the SRP water system; for more information about where central Arizona’s water comes from, visit the SRP website. As a certification program, Friends of the Verde River uses the River Friendly Living program to help members of our communities to do their part to protect the Verde River for future generations.
“By expanding the River Friendly Living grants, we are empowering our community to take direct action in protecting our water resources,” said David Gressly, Executive Director for Friends of the Verde River. “This program, now bolstered by SRP’s support, offers a unique opportunity for homeowners, businesses, and organizations to protect the river system.”
“SRP is proud to partner with Friends of the Verde River to encourage residents and business owners to protect this precious resource by using water efficiently,” said Elvy Barton, Senior Manager of Water and Forest Sustainability at SRP. “We know that every drop of water conserved in the Phoenix metro area and Verde Valley results in less impact on the watershed, including the Verde River system.”
What projects are eligible for funding?
Depending on the applicant type, you may need to be pursuing or have reached certification as a River Friendly Home or Business – learn more about this simple and beneficial process here. Funding may be awarded to projects that address one or more of the following focus areas:
- Support or create sustainable water supply (improved infrastructure, increased efficiency, lawn removal)
- SRP funding is designated specifically for water efficiency projects, such as lawn removal, irrigation efficiency and water conservation upgrades, for example.
- Support clean water initiatives (water quality testing, waste management, chemical management)
- Support healthy habitat (Invasive species treatment, pollinator gardens, erosion control)
- Improve community support and connection to the Verde River and its tributaries (education & recreation opportunities that improve awareness)
Before and after pictures of a lawn removal project from a River Friendly Living Grant recipient.
Phoenix water treatment plants receive about 20% of the water delivered each year by SRP to the metropolitan are
Questions?
For more information about the River Friendly Living grant program, please contact:
Isaac Dudley, Flows Project Manager
IsaacD@verderiver.org
(928) 641-6013
Isaac Dudley is the Flows Project Manager at Friends of the Verde River. Caitlin Brogan is a Water Planning Analyst with Salt River Project, one of twenty Water – Use It Wisely partners to offer water-saving advice and programs.
