SAFFORD — It’s been a good week for the Gila Watershed Partnership.
On Thursday, the Forever Our Rivers Foundation announced GWP was awarded $34,318 to combat invasive species along the Gila River.
“With this funding, we can reduce the fire risk that invasive species bring,” Dr. Sarah Sayles, executive director of Gila Watershed Partnership, said in the grant announcement. “A healthy river helps us minimize danger from flooding, too.”
The award to GWP is part of the $169,591 in grants awarded by the Forever Our Rivers Foundation. Also receiving funds are the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners in Escalante, Utah; Friends of the Verde River in Cottonwood, Ariz.; and RiversEdge West in Grand Junction, Colo.
“Investing in rivers is one of the best ways to build climate resilience and improve livability in rural communities,” said Ann Johnston, executive director of Forever Our Rivers.
Gila Watershed Partnership was also a recipient at Tuesday’s Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley’s Grant Presentation. GWP was awarded $5,000 for its Southeastern Arizona Youth Land Stewardship Program.
Forever Our Rivers Foundation is a Colorado-based nonprofit whose mission is to improve river health through community-inspired projects in Colorado, Arizona and Utah. For more information about Forever Our Rivers Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.ForeverOurRivers.org.
