Mission
The Hood River Watershed Group’s purpose is to sustain and improve the Hood River Watershed through education, cooperation, and stewardship.
Vision
We envision a resilient landscape that supports native fish and wildlife, a community willing to protect and restore its natural resources, and a local economy that thrives within the natural systems of the Watershed.
Core Values
The Watershed Group aspires to be a broad inclusive organization, inspiring the community to engage in watershed stewardship and catalyzing both individual and collective action. The Watershed Group particularly values:
- Open and respectful discussion and inquiry
- Scientific approaches to developing knowledge, strategies, and actions
- Continuous community learning and engagement
- Working across traditional boundaries of ownership and responsibility
- Synergies created by trust, cooperation, and collaboration among disparate interests
About the Hood River Watershed Group
What does the Watershed Group do?
Since its inception, the Hood River Watershed Group has worked to sustain and improve the 339 square mile Hood River Watershed through community education and cooperative projects in water conservation and habitat restoration. These projects have been informed by careful assessment, monitoring, and planning efforts and forged through diverse partnerships. Funding for these projects has brought more than $25 million into the Watershed, which has benefited the local economy, fish populations, and people alike. Project funding has been provided by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon Water Resources Department, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. We also rely upon support from local irrigation districts, the Forest Service, and other sources.
Participation in the Watershed Group is open to any individual or organization interested in supporting the group’s mission. The Watershed Group prioritizes respect for ideas and open communication between all members of the group. All individuals, groups, or agencies interested in Hood River natural resources are encouraged to attend meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of most months.
History of the Watershed Group
The Hood River Watershed Group was started in the early 90’s by a group of people representing different natural resource interests. In 1996, the Watershed Group was officially recognized by the Hood River County Board of Commissioners. Like other watershed councils in Oregon, the Watershed Group is a locally organized, voluntary group established to protect and restore native fish populations and watershed health. In keeping with guidance from HB 3441 passed by the 1995 Oregon Legislature, the Watershed Group’s membership reflects a diverse range of natural resource interests in the Watershed, including farmers, forest managers, irrigation districts, tribes, private landowners, businesses, local government, state and federal natural resource agencies, and interested community members.