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Friends of the Verde River is proud to honor Virginia Smith and the Town of Clarkdale with the River Friendly Living Partner Award as part of this year’s Heron Awards.
River Friendly Living inspires a culture of voluntary river conservation by supporting and recognizing local homes, businesses, farms, and communities that take meaningful action to protect the Verde River and its water resources through smart water use, conservation projects, and community engagement.
About Virginia Smith
As the Assistant Director of Public Works for the Town of Clarkdale, Virginia Smith plays a key role in managing and maintaining the Town’s infrastructure. Since joining the team in late 2018, her focus has been on advancing water conservation and management initiatives. Her contributions include spearheading the cellular water meter upgrades, implementing the cemetery stormwater recharge project, and securing funding for design of the reclaimed water line to the Town parks. These efforts are vital to ensuring sustainable water use and resource management for the community.
Under Virginia’s leadership, Clarkdale has advanced water efficiency and sustainability projects that benefit both the community and the Verde River watershed.
We are grateful for Virginia’s dedication and the Town of Clarkdale’s ongoing commitment to river health and stewardship. Their work exemplifies the spirit of River Friendly Living and strengthens our shared efforts to protect the Verde River for future generations.
The Heron Awards
Each Heron Award is a beautiful, glass-blown work of art crafted by local artists at The Melting Point. These one-of-a-kind pieces symbolize our deep appreciation for those who help Friends of the Verde River protect and restore one of the Southwest’s last free-flowing rivers. They embody creativity, dedication, and the river’s enduring resilience.
We also take great pride in recognizing our partners and supporters during our annual gala, Fiesta de la Garza, where the community comes together to celebrate the people who make our work possible.
