ABOUT RIO REIMAGINED

ABOUT RIO REIMAGINED

The Rio Salado—A Rich 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, and strong political and community interest.  A multi-organizational leadership team is conceptualizing the next stage of governance and planning that will formalize leadership and direction for the initiative.

RIO Study Area

The geographic study area of Rio Reimagined covers six cities (Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye) and two tribal nations (Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community) along the Salt and Gila river. The current study area focuses on 1-2 miles above the banks.

The Rio Salado —A Rich History

For thousands of years the Rio Salado, also known as the Salt River, and its larger mainstem, the Gila River, served as 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.

To support and preserve this treasured river corridor, the Rio Reimagined initiative is centered on three general objectives:

The geographic study area of Rio Reimagined covers six cities (Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye) and two tribal nations (Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community) along the Salt and Gila river. The current study area focuses on 1-2 miles above the banks.

To support and preserve this treasured river corridor, the Rio Reimagined initiative is centered on three objectives:

Connecting Communities

The Rio Reimagined initiative champions the transformation of the Salt and Gila Rivers into 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 protection for the rivers’ ecosystems.

Connecting Communities

The Rio Reimagined initiative champions the transformation of the Salt-Gila Rivers into 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 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 protection for the river ecosystems.

Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers

The initiative also 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 2017 the initiative 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.

Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers

The initiative also unites and inspires river communities in the protection, preservation, and revitalization of the Salt-Gila Rivers’ unique and precious habitat. To this end, in 2017 the initiative 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.

Developing Economic Sustainability

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.

Developing Economic Sustainability

As a shared natural and cultural asset, the Salt-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.

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.

For more information visit our Partners page.

Public Agencies

In 2018, ten local public agencies along the river corridor (6 cities, 2 tribal nations, Maricopa County, and the Salt River Project) agreed to work together to create a vibrant urban riverfront for the Valley. A ‘Statement of Intent’ was signed to officially kick-off the revitalization effort of the Rio Salado vision from the 1960s.

2018 Rio Reimagined Statement of Intent

Non-Profit &
Community Based

Many non-profit and community-based organizations, both nationally and locally, are actively engaged in this public-private partnership, providing leadership, exemplary planning and community engagement. More community voices, vision, and support are needed and welcomed in this long-term planning initiative.

Private Sector

Over the last 4 years, a growing number of private sector partners have provided resources to support events and projects of Rio Reimagined partners. Corporate funding, both cash and in-kind, have supported annual river clean-ups, tree and pollinator habitat planting, conservation events, and educational workshops. Thank you sponsors!

Academic

Arizona State University (ASU) began its role as a convener and facilitator of Rio Reimagined in 2017 upon the request of the late U.S. Senator McCain. ASU’s University City Exchange office has provided project management support to the initiative, with active engagement by ASU faculty, research and students. Several higher education institutions in Arizona are advancing research and empowering community ownership of Rio Reimagined through their ongoing work in the Salt and Gila River corridor.

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 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

Public Agencies

In 2018, ten local public agencies along the river corridor (6 cities, 2 tribal nations, Maricopa County and the Salt River Project) agreed to work together to create a vibrant urban riverfront for the Valley. A ’Statement of Intent’ was signed to officially kick-off the revitalization effort of the Rio Salado vision from the 1960s.

2018 Rio Reimagined Statement of Intent

Non-Profit/Community Based

Many non-profit and community-based organizations, both nationally and locally, are actively engaged In this public-private partnership, providing leadership, exemplary planning and community engagement. More community voices, vision and support are needed and welcome in this long-term planning initiative.

Private Sector

Over the last 4 years, a growing number of private sector partners have provided resources to support events and projects of RIO Partners. Corporate funding, both cash and in-kind, have supported annual river clean-ups, tree and pollinator habitat planting, conservation events and educational workshops.  Thank you sponsors!

Academic

ASU began its role as a convener and facilitator of Rio Reimagined in 2017 upon the request of the late US Senator McCain.  ASU’s University City Exchange office has provided initial project management support to the initiative, with active engagement by ASU faculty, research and students. Several higher education institutions in Arizona are advancing research and empowering community ownership of Rio Reimagined through their ongoing work in the Salt and Gila River corridor.

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.

Visit the Partners and Events pages to learn more about the dedicated and valued partners within the passionate RIO community, and to find out about opportunities for your involvement.

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.

Visit the Partners and Events pages to learn more about the dedicated and valued partners within the passionate RIO community, and to find out about opportunities for your involvement.

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.