• Become an Otter Spotter

    Keep an eye out for otters along the Verde River—your sightings help support vital watershed research!

    Learn More

  • Become a Water Quality Volunteer

    Help protect the Verde River by collecting water samples to identify and solve water issues. Sign up now and make a real impact on your own schedule!

    Sign up
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  • Become an Otter Spotter

    Keep an eye out for otters along the Verde River—your sightings help support vital watershed research!

    Learn More

  • Become a Water Quality Volunteer

    Help protect the Verde River by collecting water samples to identify and solve water issues. Sign up now and make a real impact on your own schedule!

    Sign up
PreviousNext
12
Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

Announcing

Welcome Rachel Laura, Deputy Executive Director

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Rachel Laura, the new Deputy Executive Director at Friends of the Verde River! Rachel brings over a decade of experience in conservation and is currently pursuing her PhD in Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences, where she studies firefly distribution and ecology in arid environments. We’re thrilled to have her expertise and leadership as we continue our mission to protect the Verde River for years to come!

Read More
Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

Get Involved

Become an Otter Spotter

Otter Spotter helps protect the Verde River and the animals that live there—especially river otters! We use river otter charm and the good news of their recovery in our waterways to show that we humans have the ability to solve environmental problems. When river otters thrive, we know our waters are in good shape.

Learn More
Link to: Run the Verde Raffle 2023

On Sale

Discover the Magic of the Verde River with Our Book

Have you heard about our beautifully illustrated children’s book, On the Verde River? It was recently featured at the 2024 National Book Festival as part of the Library of Congress’s “Great Reads” program, representing Arizona’s literary heritage.

Written by Arizona author Phoebe Fox, with stunning illustrations by Jim Fox, On the Verde River takes children on a captivating journey along the Verde River, introducing them to the diverse life and beauty of this important ecosystem. Perfect for children aged 2 to 10, this hardcover book nurtures curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love of nature.

Special Gift Package: $40 – Includes the hardcover book, an adorable stuffed otter, a heron patch and a blank greeting card. This makes a wonderful gift for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.

Buy the book

Events

See all of our upcoming events.

Volunteer Appreciation Day with Friends of the Verde River

We couldn’t do it without you, and now it’s time to celebrate you! Whether you've pulled weeds, planted trees, led programs, or supported behind the scenes, we want to raise a glass to you. Costumes encouraged, smiles guaranteed.

Celebrate Nature and Community at Verde River Day 2025

Verde River Day highlights the importance of the Verde River and brings together people of all ages to enjoy environmental exhibits, hands-on activities, local food vendors, and live entertainment, all in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Arizona Gives Day graphic with Verde River background

Arizona Gives Day 2025

Our goal is to raise $40,000 by April 1 to support key conservation projects for the Verde River. Together, we can ensure the Verde River thrives for generations to come.

Recent Posts

The Verde Valley Across Time

Recently on a field trip to Montezuma Well, Dr. Larry Stevens,…
Read more
Verde River Fireflies

Surprise! We do have Fireflies in Arizona!

As I have mentioned in earlier articles, I grew up on a Midwestern…
Read more

About Us

Keeping the Verde Flowing!

The Verde River is one of Arizona’s few remaining flowing rivers. The river and its tributaries, such as Granite Creek, Sycamore Creek, Oak Creek, and Fossil Creek, provide lush corridors of life as they wind their way through beautiful, iconic, and arid landscapes. The Verde River system is an environmental and cultural treasure for local communities, the state of Arizona, and beyond.

Friends of the Verde River (Friends) envisions a healthy, flowing Verde River and tributaries that support our natural environment, vibrant communities, and quality of life for future generations.

Learn More

Our Approach

We focus our work on restoring habitat, sustaining river flows, and building supportive communities. We proactively engage in a combination of “boots-on-the-ground” projects and policy solutions guided by sound conservation principles and which meet human and environmental needs in an outcomes-oriented manner. Below are some of our initiatives:

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Water

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Water

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Land

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Land

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People

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People

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Climate

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Climate

Events and Information

What’s New

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Appreciation Day with Friends of the Verde River

We couldn’t do it without you, and now it’s time to celebrate you! Whether you've pulled weeds, planted trees, led programs, or supported behind the scenes, we want to raise a glass to you. Costumes encouraged, smiles guaranteed.

Celebrate Nature and Community at Verde River Day 2025

Verde River Day highlights the importance of the Verde River and brings together people of all ages to enjoy environmental exhibits, hands-on activities, local food vendors, and live entertainment, all in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Arizona Gives Day graphic with Verde River background

Arizona Gives Day 2025

Our goal is to raise $40,000 by April 1 to support key conservation projects for the Verde River. Together, we can ensure the Verde River thrives for generations to come.
See More Events

Event Sponsorship

Become an Event Sponsor

Our Event Sponsors are important partners who enjoy special recognition and other perks.

For more information, contact:
Grace Filson, Events and Fundraising Coordinator
contactus@verderiver.org

Download Our Sponsorship Packet

In the Know

Stay Informed on all things Verde River

Friends respects the privacy of individual donors and, except where disclosure is required by law, will not sell or otherwise make available the names and contact information of donors without providing them an opportunity at least once a year to opt out of the use of their names.

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Friends respects the privacy of individual donors and, except where disclosure is required by law, will not sell or otherwise make available the names and contact information of donors without providing them an opportunity at least once a year to opt out of the use of their names.

Make an Impact

Link to: About River Friendly Living

River Friendly Living

Empowering local residents, businesses, and governments to make choices that protect the Verde River.

Link to: Volunteer

Volunteer

The Verde River needs your help! Volunteers are critical to the work we do and we would love for you to join us in our efforts.

Link to: Donate

Donate

You can protect the Verde River and its threatened wildlife today!

© Copyright 2025 Friends of the Verde River. All Rights Reserved.