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The face of the river…was not a book to be read once and thrown aside, for it had a new story to tell every day.
Mark Twain
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A Vibrant Verde Starts with You!
Empowering local residents, businesses, and governments to make choices that protect the Verde River. What is River Friendly Living? River Friendly Living inspires a culture of voluntary river conservation. We support and recognize those who strive to protect the river in their homes, businesses, and communities. As a certification program, Friends will use River Friendly Living to help members of our communities to do their part to protect the Verde River for future generations.
River Friendly Living Principles
Sustainable Water Supply
Sustainable Water Supply
Clean Water
Clean Water
Healthy Uplands and Riparian Forests
Healthy Uplands and Riparian Forests
Connected and Supportive Communities
Connected and Supportive Communities
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Choose which certification you would like to complete:
River Friendly Living Grant Opportunties
What is it?
Apply for funding to do the conservation project that you have always wanted to do. Friends of the Verde River offers grants to support Sustainable Water Supply, Clean Water, Healthy Land, as well as foster Connected and Supportive Communities.
This program is made possible by businesses that participate in the River Friendly Living program.
Who can apply?
Homeowners, businesses, non-profits, and municipalities can apply for grants. Projects must further River Friendly principles. Based on business participation, up to $10,000* is available in 2023, for grants of up to $5,000 each.
* All funds collected support the River Friendly Living program.
Celebrating the Launch of River Friendly Living
On October 13, 2021, we celebrated the official launch of River Friendly Living, our new certification program!
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This program has been in development over the last two years, and we are so excited to finally be able to share it with you. River Friendly Living urges you to get your homes, businesses, farms, development, and/or communities certified as River Friendly. Show the world that you have made serious efforts to protect the region’s water supply for future generations: get certified. River Friendly Living focuses in four major areas: Sustainable Water Supply, Clean Water, Healthy Habitat, and Connected and Supportive Community. Learn more and get certified today!
Rio Verde Plaza: A River Friendly Building Pilot Project
Developed in partnership with a local landowner and general contractor, Rio Verde Plaza has been designed from the ground up to protect the Verde River.
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This project incorporates the following River Friendly Building Principals: stormwater catch basins that replenish the aquifer and prevent pollution from reaching the river, water efficient appliances that reduce water use, and native plants that provide habitat while saving water. Construction at Rio Verde Plaza was completed in spring 2021.
Rancho Tres Brisas: A River Friendly Ranching Pilot Project
Located on the banks of the Verde River, Rancho Tres Brisas raises beef sustainably and supports our local agricultural economy.
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With the support of our partners at The Nature Conservancy, Rancho Tres Brisas installed sprinkler irrigation in the fall of 2020, keeping water in the river without hurting their bottom line.
