Partners

Notable recognition for Rio Salado Audubon Center and Proectors of the Salt River..

Protectors of the Salt River – Onk Akimel Ha Ñukutham is a community-led group grounded in Indigenous leadership and care for South Phoenix, working together to restore and protect the Salt River as a vital cultural and ecological space.

Since launching in April 2023, the Protectors started with grassroots stinknet removal and have grown into a broader movement focused on native habitat restoration, multilingual outreach, cultural storytelling, and community visioning along the Rio Salado.

Rooted in values of land stewardship, intergenerational connection, and Indigenous knowledge, the coalition works alongside Tribal leaders, local residents, artists, and environmental partners to support restoration efforts that honor cultural heritage and build lasting community ownership.

Rio Salado Audubon has been a long-time partner and the home of our pillar exhibitions. It’s a space we continue to return to—our home away from home—where we host our shows and grow future Rio Salado programming.