- The Nature Conservancy in Arizona received an $11.5 million grant.
- The project focuses on conservation in the Upper Verde River Watershed.
- Funding comes from the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
- Up to 20,000 acres of land will be protected through easements.
- Local tribes and lawmakers support the initiative.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 — The Nature Conservancy in Arizona (TNC)
has secured an $11.5 million federal grant to lead conservation efforts in the Upper Verde River Watershed and Big Chino Grasslands in north-central Arizona. The grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), requires a 50% nonfederal match, bringing the total project funding to $23 million.
The Verde River is one of Arizona’s last flowing rivers and a crucial water source for both ecosystems and human communities. However, increasing water use, prolonged drought, and wildfire damage have pushed its flows to historic lows. The Big Chino Aquifer, which feeds the river, supports diverse wildlife and provides water for agriculture and residents in the Verde Valley and Phoenix Metro Area.
Public-Private Partnerships Drive Conservation.
TNC Arizona’s efforts are part of a broader conservation initiative supported by the USDA’s $1 billion Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The program fosters public-private partnerships to address environmental challenges.
“We are thrilled to have received such a sizeable grant from the USDA NRCS to continue our conservation work on the Verde River, whose preservation is not only vital for wildlife but also for agriculture operations and Arizona communities downstream,” said TNC Arizona State Director Daniel Stellar. “Our work along the Verde River has focused on innovative solutions with private industry, farmers and ranchers, landowners, communities, and government agencies, and this grant will bolster that work.”
Long-Term Protection Through Conservation Easements.
A major component of the project involves purchasing conservation easements on up to 20,000 acres of land. These easements, acquired from willing landowners, will ensure long-term preservation for sustainable agricultural use while preventing development and restricting groundwater consumption.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairwoman Tanya Lewis highlighted the significance of this initiative to tribal communities. “The ancestral lands of the Yavapai and Apache People include Big Chino Grasslands and Verde River, both of which run through the heart of our Reservation. The health and vitality of the Verde River and its springs remain critical to the Nation’s culture and identity as well as the economic and farming lifeways of the Nation. This project will help ensure long-term protection of the river through collaborative conservation investments by many partners.”
Legislative Support for Conservation.
TNC Arizona’s conservation efforts have received backing from state and federal lawmakers. “The Verde River is an ecological treasure and an important drinking water source. I’m proud to have helped secure federal funding that will allow The Nature Conservancy to work with farmers and ranchers to protect wildlife habitat, conserve water, and support agriculture in northern Arizona,” said Senator Mark Kelly.
Since 2012, TNC Arizona has been implementing conservation easements and other strategies aimed at improving water flows in the Verde River. With the new funding, the organization and its partners aim to expand these efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for one of Arizona’s most critical water resources.
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Image: Verde River, Licensed via Envato.
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