Our Work
LGRC Partners' Projects and Programs
LGRC’s overall strategic vision is a “turquoise necklace” which represents a string of “turquoise beads” or discrete areas where there are multiple opportunities to support important social, cultural, ecological, and economic values. Turquoise Beads are hubs of activity where multiple partners collaborate across a mosaic of landownership to enhance the land and water for the benefit of communities. Beads include: Tres Rios, Estrella, Liberty, Downtown Buckeye, State Route 85, Robbins Butte, Arlington & Powers Butte, and Gillespie. The beads are connected, strung together by the river, trails, and by diverse partners working to achieve a shared vision.
In the dashboard below, partners input details on all of their projects - completed, ongoing, and proposed - and update them on a regular basis.
Habitat Enhancement
The LGRC aims to improve natural stream function and enhance habitat along the Lower Gila River.
Conditions today are very different than historical conditions. Water development has altered flow and the shape of the river. Invasive salt cedar has replaced native cottonwood and willow gallery forests.
With conditions so different than 100 years ago, it may not be possible to completely restore the river. But it is certainly possible to restore and enhance conditions in many portions of the river corridor. LGRC is strategically restoring areas along the river for safe access and recreation, wildlife, flood management, reducing fire risk, and controlling invasive species.
The Lower Gila River is blessed with ample recreation opportunities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, archery, fishing, birding, and more!
The LGRC brings together land and resource managers, communities, educators, and more to develop and promote responsible outdoor recreation along the river and its associated uplands. Among the collaborative's priorities are to develop safe and equitable access to recreation sites, promote connectivity of trails, and provide information to help visitors enjoy the Lower Gila River and to be good stewards of the land. Go to our Visit the River page to learn more about recreation opportunities on the Lower Gila.
Economic Development and Tourism
River-based recreation generates over $5 million dollars and 44,000 jobs right here in Maricopa County, according to a recent Audubon study.
Rivers provide many benefits to the natural environment and to communities in the form of quality of life and draw for new businesses, outdoor recreation and wellness, hunting and fishing opportunities, property values, tourism, and sense of place. Stay tuned for more information about how the collaborative is supporting river-based economic develop and tourism that is compatible with LGRC's restoration focus.
Outreach and Engagement
As a collaborative, there is nothing more important than engaging the community in our work.
The LGRC has a robust Outreach and Engagement working group dedicated to increasing opportunities for education, stewardship, citizen science, and volunteerism. Please visit our Education Resources and News and Events pages for more information.
