Community-based and conservation organizations with existing relationships and knowledge of the Salt and Gila River corridor and the adjacent river neighborhoods are partnering to create applied research and education projects on riverine ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and urban canopy within a burgeoning metropolitan area. Partners include national non-profit Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), national community outreach organization Corazón Latino, local conservation steward Audubon Southwest, and Arizona State University research labs in river ecology and wildlife habitat corridors. Grant activities include community events (i.e. Estrella Park planting, Urban Wildlife Conservation Day), educational workshops, and pilot projects that improve river ecology, habitat ,and knowledge of eco-system conditions.