Our Vision
The Bitterroot Water Partnership envisions a vibrant Valley where community members are inspired and engaged as partners to help ensure the need for clean, sufficient water is met for our wildlife, agriculture, and communities, and we are all able to thrive together for generations to come.
Our Approach
The Water Partnership’s founders understood that water was the lifeblood of their community, and that promoting understanding, restoration, and conservation of our water resources was critical in supporting a healthy, functioning watershed and our water-reliant community.
Creating a shared understanding of the importance of a healthy watershed through educational “forums” was how the Bitterroot Water Partnership (formerly the Bitter Root Water Forum) got its start. Now, the Water Partnership works to ensure clean and prevalent water for this and future generations through a two-fold approach of conservation learning and on the ground restoration.
Our conservation learning programs provide quality information on issues of watershed health to both youth and adults. There are avenues for all ages and interests to engage in watershed stewardship. Sparking that interest, and providing the best information, tools, and pathways for learning and engagement is how we are helping to build a community of diverse stewards.
The Water Partnership’s restoration projects take place on public and private lands to improve stream health and rebuild healthy, resilient riparian areas. Projects are accomplished by coordinating with streamside landowners and an incredibly active and dedicated team of volunteers. Recent projects include sediment reduction on Three Mile and Rye Creek through road improvement measures, and sediment and temperature reduction projects on the East fork of the Bitterroot River and Cameron Creek through streamside revegetation.
The Bitterroot Water Partnership was established in 1993 (as the Bitter Root Water Forum) by five concerned grandmothers and a Ravalli County Extension Agent who sought to learn about our watershed and share what they learned with their community. Click to read more about our history.
Our Mission
The Bitterroot Water Partnership leads reliable and intentional conservation initiatives that promote and provide clean, ample water for people and healthy habitats by working with key partners and our communities.
Financial Partners
The Bitterroot Water Partnership relies on the generous support of our corporate and business partners. There are many ways for your business to support the work of the Water Partnership. For more information, please email our Development Coordinator, Rachel, at rachel@bitterrootwater.org.
Accountability and Finance
Find our Non-Profit Rating Report on Charity Navigator, here.