West Willamette Watersheds Collaboration
Building a coalition of community members and partners connected to each other and their waterways
What’s happening
In 2026 and 2027, we're focusing on community engagement. The input we gather will guide how we extend council coverage into uncovered areas and how we organize ourselves.
Our collective vision
Working in community to take action to improve the ecological well-being of the West Willamette region.
What is a Watershed Council, and why is this needed?
Watershed Councils are place-based nonprofits who work across jurisdictional boundaries to empower community members to improve watershed health in their communities - from upland habitats, to salmon and lamprey spawning habitat in waterways, we're all connected through our watersheds.
Why is this needed?
There’s a gap in coverage!
Larger bodies of water have had Watershed Councils established for a while, but many smaller creeks flowing directly into the Willamette River haven't.
This means those waterways don’t benefit from an organized, cross-jurisdictional entity, and the watershed-based planning, that Watershed Councils bring to the landscape.
Let’s change that!
Join us in bringing Watershed Council coverage to all of the west side of the lower Willamette River!
Introducing the West Willamette Watersheds (W3) Collaboration
Led by Oswego Lake & Tryon Creek Watershed Councils. Through this work, we will:
- Close gaps in representation and planning on the lower 40 miles of the Willamette River on a reach with many tributaries
- Provide community members with access to resources to improve watershed health in their communities
- Provide local governments and jurisdictions with a common table to gather around, to each play their part in the watershed’s systems
