Last updated: March 2025
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project (LSRRP) is a riparian restoration initiative located along the Lower Salt River within the Mesa Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest. This collaborative project seeks to restore a section of the Lower Salt River Recreation Area that was severely impacted by the 2017 Cactus Fire. The Cactus Fire was a significant wildfire that caused extensive damage to vegetation and habitat in the area, highlighting the need for targeted restoration efforts to rebuild the ecosystem and mitigate future fire risks. The LSRRP’s primary activities focus on removing invasive tamarisk trees, which are highly flammable and contribute to the intensity of wildfires, and planting native seedlings to reestablish local flora. By removing tamarisk trees, the project aims to create a landscape that is more resistant to fire, reducing the wildfire risk for the region. Additionally, the project supports the abundance and diversity of native plant species by removing invasive plants and planting thousands of native riparian tree species. The restoration efforts also aim to enhance the riparian habitat by expanding two critical vegetation communities—the mesquite bosque and the cottonwood-willow gallery forest. These communities support rich biodiversity and offer essential habitats for local wildlife. Beyond ecological restoration, the project emphasizes community involvement and awareness. It provides opportunities for the local community to participate in the project through environmental education events for K-12 students and ongoing volunteer involvement in monitoring and maintaining restored areas. Overall, the Lower Salt River Restoration Project is a proactive effort to protect and revitalize the Lower Salt River Recreation Area, enhancing its ecological resilience and engaging the community in long-term conservation. (2-4, 6, 8, 11)
Overlooking the Lower Salt River Restoration Site.
National Forest Foundation
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Preservation of natural heritage
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Effective management
- Disaster-risk reduction
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Sense of community and community engagement
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- River flooding
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Forest fires and wildfires
- Environmental Degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Invasive alien species
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Poor community engagement
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)
Focus
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, River rehabilitation/ restoration, Restoration of riparian vegetation, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Creating nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, or biodiversity hotspots to conserve unique ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem
Project objectives
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project defined several goals, including:
To reduce wildfire risk by removing invasive tamarisk trees and planting native seedlings, creating a more fire-resistant landscape.
To improve riparian habitat by restoring natural vegetation, enhancing wildlife habitat for birds and other species, and stabilizing the riverbank to reduce flooding risks.
To increase biodiversity by restoring natural habitats, thereby supporting a wider diversity of plant and animal species in the area.
To increase awareness and engage the local community through educational outreach programs, involving residents through partnership opportunities, environmental education events for K-12 students, and ongoing community participation in monitoring and maintaining restoration efforts. (1-6, 11)
Implementation activities
A key part of the project was removing invasive species. Crews used tools like chainsaws and brush cutters to physically clear invasive plants, such as tamarisk, and applied herbicides to stop them from growing back and spreading.
Once invasive species were removed, the focus shifted to restoring native vegetation. Thousands of native riparian trees, including cottonwood, willow, velvet mesquite, and screwbean mesquite, were planted to help re-establish the area's natural ecosystem. This step is vital for creating a more resilient and balanced environment.
Habitat restoration was another major priority, particularly the revival of the mesquite bosque and cottonwood-willow gallery forest. These habitats are essential for local wildlife, providing food, shelter, and nesting areas.
The project also emphasized community engagement. Programs like Green Drone AZ and Audubon Southwest’s River Pathways Program, launched in 2020, have created educational and volunteer opportunities. These initiatives encourage local involvement in monitoring and maintaining the restored habitats, ensuring long-term success. (3-5, 11)
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Restore rivers and other fresh water bodies to reduce flood or drought risk
- Improved forest management to reduce severity and spread of wildfires and super-fires
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Urban heat islands
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
- Clear and control invasive alien species
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Regional government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
- Co-management/Joint management
- Citizen monitoring and review
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Among the government actors, the Tonto National Forest played a key role as a federal agency by providing land access, issuing permits, and overseeing regulatory compliance. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management contributed its expertise in wildfire management and invasive species control, and provided funding and resources.
From the non-governmental sector, the National Forest Foundation served as a collaborative partner, supporting the project’s objectives and contributing to its execution
Ecoculture, part of the Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes at Northern Arizona University, led the project, managed day-to-day operations, conducted ecological assessments, and directed restoration activities. Beyond ecological restoration, the project has a strong educational component, aiming to engage the local community through partnerships, environmental education events for K-12 students and opportunities for long-term involvement in monitoring and maintenance. (1,14-15)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Type of enablers
NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
- Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Achieved strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Water management and blue areas
- Increased protection against flooding
- Achieved increased protection against flooding
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Achieved enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Achieved improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
- Achieved increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
Economic impacts
- Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Achieved increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
- Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
- Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Expected increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Achieved increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Safety
- Improved community safety to climate-related hazards
- Expected improved community safety to climate-related hazards
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Yes
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Background. [Source link];
2.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Lower Salt River Restoration Project. [Source link];
3.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Management Objectives. [Source link];
4.
EcoCulture (n.d.). Our Progress. [Source link];
5.
Karakozis, C., and Deng, Z. (2022). Tour the Lower Salt River Restoration Project. [Source link];
6.
North Coast Resource Partnership (n.d.). Salt River Ecosystem Restoration Project. [Source link];
7.
Arizona Forward (n.d.). Lower Salt River Riparian Restoration Project. [Source link];
8.
Davidson, R. (n.d.). A Restoration Project for Everyone: How an Entire Community is Re-Connecting to its Watershed. [Source link];
9.
Natural Resources (n.d.). Lower Salt River Graffiti & Trash Removal Restoration. [Source link];
10.
Arizona Highways (n.d.). Restoration Project Targets Lower Salt River Near Phoenix. [Source link];
11.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Educational Outreach. [Source link];
12.
Rozul, D. (2021). ASU research plays key role in lower Salt River restoration. [Source link];
13.
Davidson, R. (n.d.). Cities Get Salty on the Salt River – How Partnerships Catalyze Action to Protect Water and Wildlife. [Source link];
14.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Meet the Team. [Source link];
15.
Ecoculture (n.d.). Partners . [Source link];
16.
Savel, C. (2021). Supporting Military Veterans and Local Ecosystems Through Natural Restorations' Lower Salt River Restoration Project. [Source link];
17.
MAG - Arizona Demographics (2022). MAG - Arizona Demographics . [Source link];
NAU Project Leader Chris Updike showing the volunteers how to plant a tree.
National Forest Foundation
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/lower-salt-river-restoration-project
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/lower-salt-river-restoration-project
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/lower-salt-river-restoration-project
The Lower Salt River Restoration Project
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/lower-salt-river-restoration-project
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.