ABOUT RIO REIMAGINED
ABOUT RIO REIMAGINED
The Salt and Gila Rivers: A Living History
For thousands of years the Rio Salado, also known as the Salt River, and its larger mainstem, the Gila River, served as an important perennial source of life and growth for indigenous people residing in central Arizona, including the Akimel and Piipaash. Modern-day indigenous nations, the Gila River Indian Community and Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, descended from the ancestral peoples who originally inhabited this land and drew life from the river.
Today, the Salt and Gila are an ephemeral river corridor connecting diverse urban communities across an expansive and growing Maricopa County. While the two rivers are now typically defined by intermittent flow as a function of water conservation and distribution in an arid urban climate, they can also have powerful flows during the Arizona monsoon season providing a diverse and unique ecosystem for the region.
Rio Reimagined is a planning initiative in a very early concept stage, supported by a Statement of Intent, strong political and community interest, and a diverse array of related projects and plans. A multi-organizational leadership team is conceptualizing the next stage of governance and planning that will formalize leadership and direction for the initiative, For more information on these efforts, visit the Rio Reimagined vision planning page.
The Rio Reimagined Study Area
As shown in the map below, the geographic study area of Rio Reimagined traverses six cities unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, and two tribal nations along the Salt and Gila river corridor. The current study area focuses on the communities 1-2 miles above the banks of the river channel.
The Rio Reimagined initiative is centered on three objectives.
To support and enhance this treasured river corridor, the Rio Reimagined initiative is currently centered on three objectives that were developed by local, state, federal, and tribal government partners in 2018 to help guide the initiative in its early stages. As partners came together via regular meetings to share river corridor projects and collaborate on community events, a regional identity and purpose began to coalesce to guide the Rio Reimagined. These three objectives frame the initiative today and may evolve as a vision planning process takes shape to reflect more voices across the river corridor.
Connecting Communities
The Rio Reimagined initiative champions the transformation of the Salt and Gila rivers in the heart of the Valley, redefining our evolving relationship with water and reconnecting our communities to one another and the environment. As directed and defined by our community, the work of Rio Reimagined is to cultivate public spaces that unite us, enrich people’s lives through access to open space and recreation, create opportunities for education, and promote diverse programming to inspire support for a healthy river ecosystem.
Equitable & Sustainable Development
As a shared natural and cultural asset, the Salt and Gila river corridor provides a unique opportunity for Rio Reimagined to inspire and unite businesses and non-profits in the engagement of thoughtful and sustainable economic, recreational, and equitable development along the river.
Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers
The initiative unites and inspires river communities in the protection, preservation, and revitalization of the Salt and Gila Rivers’ unique and precious habitat. To this end, in 2018, Rio Reimagined reignited a long-term effort of thoughtful restoration and a reimagining focused on cultural and physical history, revived riparian ecology, and the support of vast biodiversity.
The Rio Reimagined initiative is centered on three objectives.
To support and enhance this treasured river corridor, the Rio Reimagined initiative is currently centered on three objectives that were developed by local, state, federal, and tribal government partners in 2018 to help guide the initiative in its early stages. As partners came together via regular meetings to share river corridor projects and collaborate on community events, a regional identity and purpose began to coalesce to guide the Rio Reimagined. These three objectives frame the initiative today and may evolve as a vision planning process takes shape to reflect more voices across the river corridor.
Connecting Communities
The Rio Reimagined initiative champions the transformation of the Salt and Gila rivers in the heart of the Valley, redefining our evolving relationship with water and reconnecting our communities to one another and the environment. As directed and defined by our community, the work of Rio Reimagined is to cultivate public spaces that unite us, enrich people’s lives through access to open space and recreation, create opportunities for education, and promote diverse programming to inspire support for a healthy river ecosystem.
Equitable & Sustainable Development
As a shared natural and cultural asset, the Salt and Gila river corridor provides a unique opportunity for Rio Reimagined to inspire and unite businesses and non-profits in the engagement of thoughtful and sustainable economic, recreational, and equitable development along the river.
Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers
The initiative unites and inspires river communities in the protection, preservation, and revitalization of the Salt and Gila Rivers’ unique and precious habitat. To this end, in 2018, Rio Reimagined reignited a long-term effort of thoughtful restoration and a reimagining focused on cultural and physical history, revived riparian ecology, and the support of vast biodiversity.
The RIO Partnership—Building a More Sustainable Future
Since 2018, a growing number of public, private, and non-profit organizations have been meeting every two months as an informal ‘Rio Reimagined partnership.’ Their work has involved the examination of precedent regional revitalization projects, discussion of local and federal resources for project needs, networking to establish working collaboration, and coalition-building to realize project efficiencies. The Partnership continues to expand and is empowered by the diversity of perspectives and priorities of its participants.
Join Us!
The Rio Reimagined Partnership meets bi-monthly to discuss current planning priorities, existing and new projects, grant funding opportunities, etc. Your voice and participation are needed to cultivate a new, revitalized identity for our river corridor and its watershed.
If you would like to participate in the RIO Partnership meetings, please email info@rioreimagined.com.
The Rio Partnership – Building a More Sustainable Future
Since 2018, a growing number of public, private and non-profit organizations have been meeting every two months as an informal ‘Rio Reimagined partnership.’ Their work has involved the examination of precedent regional revitalization projects, discussion of local and federal resources for project needs, networking to establish working collaboration, and coalition-building to realize project efficiencies. The Partnership continues to expand and is empowered by the diversity of perspectives and priorities of it’s participants.
For more information visit our Partners Page
Get Involved with the RIO Partnership
The Rio Reimagined Partnership meets bi-monthly to discuss current planning priorities, existing and new projects, grant funding opportunities, etc.
Your voice and participating are needed to cultivate a new, revitalized identity for our river corridor and its watershed.
If you would like to participate in the RIO Partnership meetings, please email info@rioreimagined.com
Questions?
If you have additional questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions and do not hesitate to contact our office at (480) 965-0363 or email info@rioreimagined.com.
Questions?
If you have additional questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions and do not hesitate to contact our office at (480)965-0363 or email info@rioreimagined.org.
Stay Informed
Sign up to receive news, updates, and Rio Reimagined Partnership meeting invites to keep informed about the initiative.
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive news, updates, and Rio Partnership meeting invites to keep informed about the initiative.