Restoring a watershed to protect an ecosystem

On April 25, 2017, a wildfire known as the Cactus Fire took place in the Lower Salt River basin. To support their restoration plan, the NFF applied for a grant from Intel to fund work on 70 acres of riparian habitat in the scorched area in 2018.

July 2022

US Forest Service – Tonto National Forest

A collaborative partnership that established the Lower Salt River Restoration Project (LSRRP) saw participants plant 1,200 mesquite trees during a half-day event on Dec. 4, 2021. The event contributed to the planting of 30,000 trees by crews during phase three of the LSRRP that concluded in December 2021.

February 2022

Collaborative Restoration on the Lower Salt River

Now four years after the Cactus Fire, a tamarisk-fueled blaze that burned along the Salt River corridor just upstream of Mesa, Arizona, we’re still hard at work engaging our network in restoration efforts being led by the Tonto National Forest, the National Forest Foundation, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona State University.

December 2021

Drones and A.I. Hunting Down Invasive Plants at Salt River

From a birds-eye view, scientists are spotting their targets using drones to get rid of as many invasive species as possible.

August 2021

Lower Salt River Restoration Project

The Arizona Nursery Association featured the Lower Salt River Restoration Project in their July/August 2021 issue.

July/August 2021

An Integrated Spectral–Structural Workflow for Invasive Vegetation Mapping in an Arid Region Using Drones

Mapping invasive vegetation species in arid regions is a critical task for managing water resources and understanding threats to ecosystem services.

March 8, 2021

Drones in school: students fighting climate change

Arizona is suffering from climate change. As local projects try to restore the environment, photogrammetry helps monitor changes.

February 10, 2021

Boeing Company invests $100,000 in National Forest Foundation’s youth program for career development through drone technology

The Boeing Company has invested a sum of $100,000 in the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) innovative youth program, Green Drone AZ. The program is designed to foster and strengthen the interest in STEM and technology career paths through the lens of local stewardship, public lands management, and drone technology.

January 6, 2021

How Partnerships Catalyze Action to Protect Water and Wildlife

The Salt River is a crucial source of water, life and beauty for Arizona, acting as a major artery throughout the watershed and for city water supplies in the Valley of the Sun. The Salt River not only provides a clean, renewable water supply, but also vibrant and lush wildlife habitat and many recreation opportunities for anglers, boaters, birders, and so many others.

STEM Pro Live! Green Drone AZ

The Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent hosted Green Drone AZ in their first STEM Pro Live event of the 2020/2021 school year!

August 28, 2020

Restoration Project Targets Lower Salt River Near Phoenix

A multi-year partnership between several organizations is aiming to restore a wildfire-damaged section of the Salt River northeast of the Phoenix area.

December 6, 2019

A Restoration Project for Everyone

Phoenix, Arizona is not always well understood when it comes to where water comes from or how water makes it to our faucets. However, surface water makes its way from the Salt and Verde watersheds to provide a majority of the water supplies Phoenix’s communities depend on.

Tonto National Forest Begins New Restoration Project

A new restoration project is underway along the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, as invasive plant species are threatening native vegetation.

December 17, 2018