EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure has contributed $288,419 to support Salt River Project’s Resilient Water and Forest Initiative, SRP officials said.

The initiative addresses “the unhealthy forests and devastating wildfires that threaten the health of SRP’s watershed and, in turn, SRP’s ability to deliver clean, reliable water to the Phoenix metro area,” according to a release from the Tempe-based utility.

The contribution from EdgeCore, a wholesale data center developer, owner and operator with a location in Mesa, will benefit two phases of the Dude Fire Restoration Project.

The project is working to clear hazardous, flammable brush and debris from nearly 5,000 acres north of Payson that were devastated by the Dude Fire in 1990.

Thirty years later, the burn scar that remains has resulted in unnaturally dense vegetation that poses “a significant fire risk and hinders the ability of the native pine forest to regrow,” the release stated.

“We are grateful to companies like EdgeCore that demonstrate sustainability leadership and partner with SRP to tackle the goal of preventing future devastating wildfires in Arizona’s forests,” Elvy Barton, SRP manager of Water and Forest Sustainability, said.

“We can’t accomplish this goal alone, and partners like EdgeCore will help us reach that goal.”

In addition, EdgeCore intends to contribute an additional $280,560 over the next year to fund the third phase of the Dude Fire Restoration Project, according to the release.

"The EdgeCore team has worked with SRP for over a year on the Resilient Water and Forest Initiative and are proud of the positive impacts we have helped to create for water quality in greater Phoenix,” said Feather Bokker,  vice president of the company’s programs and compliance section.