PARTNERS

PARTNERS

The Rio Reimagined Partnership—Building a More Sustainable Future

At the heart of the Rio Reimagined initiative are a multitude of communities, organizations, and individuals who have come together to dedicate their time and resources towards the Rio Reimagined vision of a revitalized Salt and Gila River corridor. This informal partnership works to elevate and conjoin priorities, effectively creating a unifying movement for the region. There are many ways to get involved; the partnership is empowered by the diversity of perspectives and priorities of its participants. Join us!

The RIO Partnership Continues to Expand in Impact

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. 

Partner Highlights

 Lower Gila River Collaborative 

The Lower Gila River Collaborative is a chartered coalition of a public partners along the western reach of Rio Reimagined, focused on restoring the health of the lower Gila River ecosystem while encouraging stewardship, recreation and compatible development.

These Rio Reimagined partners have a rich history of coordinated restoration planning and impactful habitat projects, supported by mapping and communication tools.

Urban Waters Federal Partnership 

The Urban Waters Partnership reconnects urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies. The Partnership also collaborates with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits. 

Rio Reimagined is a designated location of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

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 launch a coordinated regional effort to reconnect and revitalize the urban corridor along the river. 

2018 Rio Reimagined Statement of Intent 

“Of the areas we have studied, the river corridor has one of the greatest potential. People want to be near the riverfront, and it’s such a great connection with so many strong assets like the airport, Audubon and natural ecosystem assets, and the amazing people who live in the river area.”*

Kate Gallego
Mayor,
City of Phoenix 

Private Sector

Since 2020, 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! 

“When you think of Rio Reimagined, you think about something iconic that runs through all of our communities—let’s embrace the connectedness that is the secret sauce, the magic that makes the Valley such a great place to live work and play.”*

Jeff Guldner
President, APS

Non-Profit & Community-Based 

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

“Philanthropy has a unique role in this project, as it can help be a catalyst for certain aspects of the project such as early funding for planning and infrastructureWe support the vision of Rio Reimagined and hopefully set the stage for other investors to follow.”*

Gene D’Adamo
President/CEO, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
 

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. ASU joins other higher education institutions in Arizona that are advancing research and empowering community ownership of Rio Reimagined through their ongoing work in the Salt and Gila River corridor. 

“ASU is excited to support this ambitious endeavor to foster transformational connectivity and enhance the sustainability, natural beauty, health and prosperity of the communities we serve.”*

Michael Crow
President,
Arizona State University
 

*Quotes excerpted from an informational video created by the Greater Phoenix Leadership.

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 launch a coordinated regional effort to reconnect and revitalize the urban corridor along the river. 

2018 Rio Reimagined Statement of Intent 

“Of the areas we have studied, the river corridor has one of the greatest potential. People want to be near the riverfront, and it’s such a great connection with so many strong assets like the airport, Audubon and natural ecosystem assets, and the amazing people who live in the river area.”*

Kate Gallego
Mayor, City of Phoenix

Private Sector

Since 2020, 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! 

“When you think of Rio Reimagined, you think about something iconic that runs through all of our communities—let’s embrace the connectedness that is the secret sauce, the magic that makes the Valley such a great place to live work and play.”*

Jeff Guldner
President, APS

Non-Profit & Community-Based 

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

“Philanthropy has a unique role in this project, as it can help be a catalyst for certain aspects of the project such as early funding for planning and infrastructure.  We support the vision of Rio Reimagined and hopefully set the stage for other investors to follow.”*

Gene D’Adamo
President/CEO, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust

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. ASU joins other higher education institutions in Arizona that are advancing research and empowering community ownership of Rio Reimagined through their ongoing work in the Salt and Gila River corridor.

“ASU is excited to support this ambitious endeavor to foster transformational connectivity and enhance the sustainability, natural beauty, health and prosperity of the communities we serve.”*

Michael Crow
President, Arizona State University

*Quotes excerpted from an informational video created by the Greater Phoenix Leadership.

Participate in 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. 

For more information about partner projects, check out the our Projects page

Participate in the RIO Partnership

The Rio Reimagined Partnership meets bi-monthly in a virtual setting to discuss current planning priorities, existing or new projects, grant funding opportunities, best practices of other revitalization initiatives, etc. Your voice and participation are needed to cultivate a new, revitalized identity for our river corridor and its watershed. The time is now to reimagine your Rio Salado as a community asset for all.

Meetings are usually the first Tuesday of every other month, at 8:30am MST.  If you would like to participate, please email info@rioreimagined.com and we will forward you a meeting notice.

Stay Informed

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