In Arizona, every drop of water counts. The Northern Arizona Forest Fund (NAFF) provides an easy way for Arizona’s businesses and residents to give back to the forests and watersheds they enjoy and rely on.
Since 2015, the NAFF has been working to protect and restore watersheds and forests through innovative partnerships and collaborations that engage funders and partners in a shared responsibility for water resources and forest health. From improving the quality and sustainability of our water supply and reducing wildfire risk, to restoring forests and crucial wildlife habitats and enhancing outdoor recreation experiences, our work reaches new watershed investment goals, builds committed partnerships, and brings health and economic resilience to families, communities, and businesses across Northern Arizona.
Whether you live in a mountain town or a sunny desert city, we are connected by water. Together, from large businesses to individuals, we can all help ensure that the vital connection between forests, watersheds, people, and communities remains strong for generations to come.
Where We Work
In Arizona, our watersheds extend from high elevation mountain forests all the way down to the striking Sonoran Desert. Our work on the Coconino, Tonto, Prescott, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Kaibab National Forests enhances natural systems supporting the Salt, Verde, and Little Colorado River watersheds that supply water to downstream communities and millions of people in the Metro Phoenix Area. NAFF projects contribute to clean air and sustainable water supplies, healthy forests to explore, running streams to picnic along, and amazing outdoor recreation experiences in Northern Arizona.
Project & Initiative Highlights
With declining forest health and tighter federal budgets, local partnerships and active stewardship are more critical than ever. NAFF projects reduce wildfire and flood risk, improve streams and wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat, restore native plants, and limit erosion and sediment into Arizona streams, rivers, and reservoirs. These projects also create jobs and provide volunteer opportunities in local communities through partnerships with local conservation and stewardship groups.
Check out our latest projects and accomplishments in our annual report.
Wood For Life
In Northern Arizona, Indigenous communities rely on wood to heat homes, cook food, and for traditional uses like ceremonies. Unfortunately, many community members do not have the resources or ability to collect and transport wood from the forest to the reservation, especially elders. Wood For Life is a collaborative network of organizations and people working together to share resources a sustainable source of wood with local Tribes and Indigenous communities through forest restoration efforts. This effort creates a win-win situation where National Forests become healthier, and Indigenous communities get the wood they need.
Sonoran Insiders
The Sonoran Insiders program began in 2019 as a collaborative effort to bridge the gap in messaging between the public and outdoor recreation and conservation professionals by leveraging the social media influence of passionate people in the outdoor community across Arizona. Ambassadors attend Insider Experiences, unique events and opportunities not available to the general public, sharing what they earn during these experiences with their followers, amplifying conservation and responsible outdoor recreation messaging. The program is excited to launch its Responsible Recreation Field School in April 2026!
Derffer Restoration Project
The Derffer project is working to restore thousands of acres of forest on the Coconino National Forest near the San Francisco Peaks, just north of Arizona Snowbowl and the Nordic Ski Center. The project area, strategically located at the base of the Peaks, faces a high risk of severe wildfire, where strong winds could carry fire into the Peaks and Kachina Wilderness. The risk extends beyond the forest – it also threatens water supplies and nearby communities. By reducing the risk of severe wildfire, we’re improving the health of the forest, keeping water supplies clean, and protecting the community.
Little Green Valley Fen
The Tonto National Forest, NFF, and partners are implementing a stage zero High Tech Process Based Restoration project at the Little Green Valley Fen near Payson. By restoring the landscape’s natural gradient, the project is reconnecting the wet meadow’s floodplain, which will provide more water to the Green Valley watershed and the Salt River watershed, ultimately benefitting the millions of people living in Phoenix.
If you have questions or want to get involved with Northern Arizona Forest Fund, contact Arizona Program Manager Jeny Davis using the form below.
Our Forests Need Us Today.
Your donation powers critical, on-the-ground conservation—from wildfire recovery to watershed restoration—protecting forests for the future.
