activities · 32
what they do
direct service · 15
- Community Green Space Development (GROW Tucson) Urban Tree Planting & CareOperates the GROW Tucson initiative to create green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods, including the installation of water-harvesting demonstration sites.
- Community Green Space Development (GROW Tucson) Urban Tree Planting & CareOperates the GROW Tucson initiative to create green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods, including the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in residents' backyards.
- Community Water Conservation and Green Infrastructure ConsultationsProvides consultations and speakers to individuals, Homeowners Associations (HOAs), and neighborhood groups on water conservation, creating cooler outdoor spaces, and planning water harvesting systems.
- Living Lab and Learning Center Operation Rainwater Harvesting & Green InfrastructureOperates an interactive facility in Tucson demonstrating sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting, greywater use, native plant cultivation, and solar energy, serving as the organization's headquarters and meeting staff and visitor water needs primarily with harvested rainwater.
- Living Lab and Learning Center Operations Urban Tree Planting & CareOperates a Living Lab and Learning Center in Tucson that demonstrates sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting (15,000 gallons of cisterns), greywater irrigation, stormwater management, native edible plant cultivation (over 500 species), and solar energy use. The facility meets most of its water needs from harvested rainwater for staff and 3,000 annual visitors.
- Living Lab and Learning Center Operations Urban Tree Planting & CareOperates a Living Lab and Learning Center in Tucson that demonstrates sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting (15,000 gallons of cisterns), greywater irrigation, stormwater management, native edible plant cultivation (over 500 species), solar energy, and composting toilets. The facility meets most of its water needs from harvested rainwater for staff and 3000 annual visitors.
- River Run Network Engagement Outdoor Engagement and River Restoration NetworksOperates the River Run Network, engaging members (4715 in 2025) in actions to achieve strategic plan goals related to river restoration and water management.
- River Run Network Program Outdoor Engagement and River Restoration NetworksOperates the River Run Network, a program with 4715 members in 2025, which has achieved many actions outlined in the organization's 50-year Strategic Plan within its first five years.
- River Run Network Program Outdoor Engagement and River Restoration NetworksOperates a network with over 4700 members that implements actions outlined in the organization's strategic plan, including river restoration and community engagement.
- River and Stream Restoration Habitat Restoration & Invasive Species ManagementConducts river restoration workshops and removes invasive species like arundo from river and streambeds, replanting areas with native trees. This includes restoring 75 acres of the Tanque Verde Creek.
- River and Stream Restoration Habitat Restoration & Invasive Species ManagementConducts river restoration workshops, removes invasive species like arundo from river and streambeds, and replants areas with native trees, restoring habitats such as the Tanque Verde Creek.
- School-based Green Infrastructure Installation and EducationInstalls stormwater-harvesting gardens and rain gardens at schools, plants trees through the Canopy for Kids program, and conducts educational components for students and teachers to create cooler, greener learning environments.
- School-based Green Infrastructure Installation and EducationInstalls stormwater-harvesting gardens and rain gardens at schools, including five Phoenix-area schools and seven schools in Nogales, Sonora, as part of programs like Storm Smart Schools and Canopy for Kids. This includes educational components for students and teachers to create cooler, greener learning environments.
- Water Harvesting and Native Landscaping Workshops Urban Tree Planting & CareOffers community classes and workshops on water harvesting and native landscaping in the Phoenix Valley (including Phoenix, Avondale, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Surprise, Glendale, Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Goodyear) and distributes native plant kits and "Build Your Own Basin" kits to participants.
- Water Harvesting and Native Landscaping Workshops Urban Tree Planting & CareOffers community classes and workshops on water harvesting and native landscaping in the Phoenix Valley, including Phoenix, Avondale, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Surprise, Glendale, Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Goodyear, and distributes native plant kits and "Build Your Own Basin" kits.
research · 7
- Beaver Surveys and ConservationConducts annual bi-national beaver surveys with partners like Glen Canyon Institute, observing active beaver populations on rivers like the San Pedro, and hosts events like Beavers & Brews to raise awareness.
- Beaver Surveys and Research Wildlife Monitoring & Community ScienceConducts beaver surveys, including an Annual Bi-National Beaver Survey with Glen Canyon Institute, observing active beaver populations on rivers like the lower San Pedro.
- Beaver Surveys and Research Wildlife Monitoring & Community ScienceConducts beaver surveys, including an Annual Bi-National Beaver Survey with Glen Canyon Institute, to observe and document beaver populations on rivers like the San Pedro.
- Flow365 Community Science Program River and Stream MonitoringEngages over 80 community scientists to capture flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, contributing to annual water year reports that highlight data trends and impacts of drought.
- Flow365 Community Science Program River and Stream MonitoringEngages over 80 community scientists in the Flow365 program to collect flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, contributing to annual water year reports that highlight data trends and drought impacts.
- Flow365 Community Science and Water Monitoring River and Stream MonitoringEngages over 80 community scientists in the Flow365 program to collect flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, monitoring river flow, creek flow, groundwater levels, and habitat to understand drought impacts.
- Water Year Reporting River and Stream MonitoringPublishes annual water year reports, such as the 2025 report, highlighting data trends from Flow365 Monitors for various locations including the Santa Cruz River, Agua Caliente Creek, Pantano Creek, Cañada Del Oro River, and Ciénega Creek.
capacity building · 10
- Community Steward and Leader DevelopmentDevelops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects focused on environmental practices.
- Community Steward and Leader DevelopmentDevelops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects, training residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting.
- Community Stewardship and Leadership DevelopmentDevelops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects, including training ranchers and ejido members in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, on coexistence with jaguars and landscape/river restoration.
- Cross-Border Conservation Training Jaguar Coexistence Incentive ProgramsTrains ranchers and ejido members in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, on coexistence with jaguars and landscape/river restoration.
- Green Infrastructure and Water Harvesting TrainingTrains residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, including international trainings with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, and teachers from Nogales and Hermosillo.
- Green Infrastructure and Water Harvesting TrainingTrains residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, including international trainings with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, and for teachers in Nogales and Hermosillo.
- International Water Harvesting TrainingConducts trainings on water harvesting systems with universities, students, and communities in Mexico, including the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz and teachers in Nogales and Hermosillo, leading to implementation of rain gardens.
- Landscape Stewardship Workforce Development Arboriculture Pre-Employment TrainingCo-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program in 2023 to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
- Urban Forestry and Landscape Stewardship Training Arboriculture Pre-Employment TrainingCo-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
- Workforce Development in Landscape Stewardship Arboriculture Pre-Employment TrainingCo-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program in 2023 to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
strategies · 20
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Community Science and Data Collection community_scienceUtilizes community science initiatives to engage volunteers in data collection and restoration efforts for local waterways.
- Community-Based Ecological Restoration and Data Collection community_science_and_restorationThe organization engages communities in ecological restoration efforts, particularly for rivers and creeks, by utilizing a community science approach where trained volunteers collect data and participate in hands-on restoration activities. This fosters local ownership and collective action for environmental health.
- Community-Based Education and Engagement for Sustainable Desert Living community_education_and_engagementThe organization educates and engages diverse communities through hands-on learning, workshops, and community science initiatives to foster sustainable desert living practices, connect people to their local watershed, and empower them to implement water conservation and ecological restoration projects.
- Community-Based Water Resource Management community-led_water_resource_managementEngages diverse communities to utilize local water resources and implement grassroots projects for sustainable water management.
- Cross-Border and Regional Collaboration for Watershed Ethic cross_border_collaborationThe organization fosters a shared watershed ethic through collaboration with diverse communities across the US-Mexico borderlands and various watersheds, including Native Territories, to ensure inclusive and effective regional environmental stewardship.
- Education and Capacity Building educationProvides educational resources and hands-on training to empower individuals and communities in sustainable water management practices.
- Education and Capacity Building for Sustainable Practices experiential_education_and_capacity_buildingWatershed Management Group educates and builds capacity within communities, schools, and individuals on sustainable desert living practices, including water harvesting, green infrastructure, and native plant use. This is achieved through hands-on workshops, guides, consultations, and school partnerships, empowering people to implement these solutions themselves.
- Holistic and Inclusive Water Management holistic_inclusive_water_managementWatershed Management Group employs a holistic approach to water management, integrating technical, economic, cultural, and spiritual values. They collaborate with diverse groups, including underserved communities and those in borderland regions, to ensure equitable and comprehensive solutions for water resource management.
- Hydro-Local Living hydro-local_livingPromotes the stewardship of local water resources to prevent depletion of distant watersheds, encouraging sustainable practices in water use.
- Long-Term Environmental Restoration long-term_environmental_restorationAims to restore year-round, free-flowing rivers through a comprehensive 50-year strategic plan that includes community engagement and innovative policies.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning for River Restoration long_term_strategic_planningThe organization employs a long-term strategic planning approach, including a 50-year vision, to achieve year-round, free-flowing rivers in the region through integrated efforts in river restoration, community engagement, and innovative watershed policy.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning for River Restoration long_term_strategic_planningThe organization commits to a long-term strategic vision, exemplified by its 50-year plan, to restore year-round, free-flowing rivers. This comprehensive approach integrates river restoration, community engagement, and innovative policy to achieve ambitious environmental goals.
- Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Cooling nature_based_urban_coolingWatershed Management Group utilizes nature-based solutions, specifically rain gardens with native plants, to reduce urban heat through shade and transpiration. They also provide site-specific consultations to help identify heat zones and develop nature-based cooling plans for properties.
- Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Cooling and Ecological Restoration nature_based_solutionsThe organization implements and promotes nature-based solutions, such as rain gardens with native plants, to reduce urban heat through shade and transpiration, and supports ecological restoration efforts like beaver reintroduction to restore desert rivers.
- Policy Advocacy for Water Conservation policy_advocacyAdvocates for policies that support sustainable water use and protect local watersheds from over-extraction by large water users.
- Policy Advocacy for Water Conservation and Watershed Health policy_advocacyThe organization advocates for policies and economic plans that support watershed health, regulate large water users, and promote sustainable development. This includes influencing local policy to ensure long-term water security and environmental well-being.
- Policy Advocacy for Watershed Health and Sustainable Water Management policy_advocacyThe organization advocates for economic plans, development policies, and regulations that support watershed health, discourage large water users that deplete aquifers and rivers, and promote sustainable water management practices at a systemic level.
- Promoting Hydro-Local Living and Water Stewardship hydro_local_livingWatershed Management Group promotes "hydro-local living" by encouraging individuals and communities to conserve, value, and steward local water resources (groundwater, surface water, and rainwater) to curb demand and avoid depleting distant watersheds or aquifers. This approach emphasizes living sustainably within the local water budget.
- Promoting Hydro-Local Living and Water Stewardship hydro_local_livingThe organization promotes "hydro-local living" by encouraging individuals and communities to conserve and wisely use local water resources (groundwater, surface water, and rainwater) to curb demand, match supplies, and avoid depleting distant watersheds or aquifers. This approach emphasizes valuing and stewarding local, renewable water resources.
- Supporting DIY and Professional Implementation of Sustainable Practices DIY_and_professional_supportThe organization supports individuals and schools in implementing sustainable practices by providing DIY guides, kits, consultations, and connections to contractors for residential design, installations, maintenance, and outdoor classroom development.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Community Conservation
Promotes sustainable water practices and resilient landscapes through community-driven conservation, education, and partnerships.
GROW Tucson
A grant initiative focused on creating green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods to combat heat and drought.
Living Lab
A demonstration facility showcasing sustainable desert living practices, including rainwater harvesting and native food forests.
relationships · 31
who they work with
- ASU Partner — Partnered to start the Urban Forestry Accelerator program.
- ASU Sustainability Teachers Academy Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
- Arizona State University Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
- Arizona State University Partner — Partners with Arizona State University’s Sustainability Teachers Academy to empower educators.
- Arizona State University’s School of Transborder Studies Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
- City of Phoenix Partner — Partnered to bring the Canopy for Kids program to Phoenix school campuses.
- City of Phoenix Partner — Partners with the City of Phoenix to implement the Canopy for Kids program.
- Commission for Environmental Cooperation Funder — Provided funding for work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
- EcoRise Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
- EcoRise Partner — Collaborates with EcoRise to bring shade trees and native gardens to schools.
- El Colegio de la Frontera Norte Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
- FMI Funder — Sponsored the Baboquivari High School project.
- Glen Canyon Institute Partner — Collaborated on a beaver survey.
- HOAs Partner — Provides free cooling consultations for homeowners associations as part of the Cool Tucson program.
- La Diócesis de Nogales Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
- Living Streets Alliance (LSA) Partner — Aligns with LSA's position on propositions related to sustainable mobility.
- Microsoft Philanthropies Partner — TEALS is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects industry professionals with high school teachers to bring computer science into Tucson schools.
- National Phenology Network Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, is a certified local phenology leader with the National Phenology Network.
- Northern Jaguar Project Partner — Collaborated on training ranchers for coexistence with jaguars.
- Phoenix International Academy Partner — Partnered to plant 34 new trees on campus through the Canopy for Kids program.
- Profauna, AC Partner — Collaborated on training ranchers for coexistence with jaguars.
- ROC#301047 Government — Holds a contractor license with ROC#301047
- Social Venture Partner’s (SVP) Fast Pitch program Partner — Selected WMG's Co-Founder and Executive Director Lisa Shipek to participate in their Fast Pitch program, where the River Run Network earned the SVP Tucson Award.
- Sustainable Tucson Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, serves on the core team for Sustainable Tucson.
- TEALS Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, is the Tucson Regional Manager for TEALS, a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects industry professionals with high school teachers to bring computer science into Tucson schools.
- Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Collaborated with the university for rain garden training in La Paz, Mexico.
- Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Conducted a training on water harvesting systems with students and community.
- Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Partnered to conduct a rain garden training in La Paz, Mexico.
- University of Arizona Partner — Founders met through the University of Arizona’s Watershed Management master’s program.
- churches Partner — Provides free cooling consultations for churches as part of the Cool Tucson program.
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