Freshwater Trust

The Freshwater Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that actively works to preserve and restore our freshwater ecosystems. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, we build, locally implement, and scale the game-changing tools that will achieve freshwater health. The Freshwater Trust takes a holistic approach to restoring freshwater ecosystems – from restoring a river’s architecture to working with landowners to keep more water in rivers to educating children on the importance of freshwater conservation.

The Freshwater Trust was established in 2009 through a merger of Oregon Trout and Oregon Water Trust. Founded in 1983 by a group of flyfishing conservationists, Oregon Trout started the wild fish discussion in the Pacific Northwest, working to protect and restore native fish and their ecosystems. Oregon Water Trust was founded in 1993 to work cooperatively with water users to keep more water in landowners’ rivers and streams. Oregon Water Trust was the first water trust in the United States.

While remaining true to both organizations’ original missions, the merge allows The Freshwater Trust to address form, flow and function at the same time – creating an integrated and more effective approach in restoring freshwater health.

Welcome from the President

If we don’t change direction, we’ll end up where we’re headed.

Given the trends of freshwater indicators and wild fish populations, it has become clear that the traditional conservation methods engaged over the last quarter century are proving inadequate to demands placed on our ecosystems. The system of laws, procedures, and funding — while providing some key protections — has become badly fragmented at a time when we cannot afford to be anything less than efficient. Bulwarks intended to thwart reckless extraction have grown into barriers to restoration.

We have all the ingredients for success: willing landowners, well-intended agencies, capable locals, and billions of dollars of annual investment, and yet we are not gaining ground.

We must change course. The Freshwater Trust builds and implements the tools and methods that can accelerate results for our freshwater ecosystems. As you look through these pages, you will notice our take on conservation is decidedly not more of the same. Whether technology, mergers, or innovative ways of engaging students, this ain’t your parents’ conservation group — we are interested in doing what it takes to get results on the ground. We’re not a think-tank, we’re a “do-tank”, and our singular focus is to provide the platform for practical conservation. At scale.

If you’re a landowner looking to do work, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re a student looking to connect with your local watershed, you have too.

Regulator interested in accelerating your efforts and ensuring results? Funder looking to leverage your conservation investment? Restoration professional looking to source, qualify and execute projects? Conservationist? Trout bum? Come on in and make a difference.

Thanks,

Joe Whitworth
President
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