Watershed Stewardship

Goals and Strategies

Watersheds have social, ecological, and economic significance. The goal of the Watershed Stewardship program is to create enabling conditions for long-term social and ecological health and resilience in places of importance to the Laird Norton Family.

Approach

We take a long-term view on healthy watersheds and invest in organizational capacity with an eye to future resilience. We encourage our partners to focus not on single-species recovery or restoration to historical conditions as a primary end-goal, but to also consider the potential value of significantly altered — but functioning — ecosystems as we continue to face the impacts of climate change and other natural and human-caused changes into the future.

We believe the wellbeing of the people who live in a place must be considered alongside ecological goals; understanding the diverse interests and values of a watershed’s human inhabitants is an important component of long-term success.

Guidelines

Priority will be given to watersheds of significance to the Laird Norton family, where the work:

Is well-grounded in science.
Incorporates adaptive management (trying something out, testing the assumptions, adjusting as needed), ongoing monitoring and evaluation, and fosters strong community engagement in place; as there is clear evidence that the presence of these elements significantly increases long-term success toward ecological goals.
Is already in progress (or there interest is already in place) to prioritize actions throughout the watershed, and a degree of coordination amongst implementing organizations representing diverse interests.

While we don’t specifically commit to a set term of investment in any watershed, we believe that investing in a place long enough to really understand the work is important, and we believe that sustained and flexible funding enables greater long-term success for our partners. Although we make grants on a one-year cycle, we take a partnership approach to our grantmaking and hold a long-term view on the work being done in the watersheds we prioritize, but we do move on when we no longer have a necessary role to play.

2020 Watershed Stewardship Grants

BONNEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION

Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) (Portland, OR) $15,000
To support BEF's continued engagement in the Midwest and other geographies. This work builds on the past year's collaboration and learning with the Foundation. Since 2003, BEF has worked in close partnership with watershed groups operating across a wide range of ecological and social contexts. The collaborative and long-term nature of these relationships has yielded knowledge that is valuable and directly applicable to the work LNFF seeks to advance in the Midwest. BEF works to facilitate the widespread adoption of sustainable, planet-friendly practices.

KINNICKINNIC RIVER LAND TRUST

Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (River Falls, WI) $43,000
For general operating support, focusing on continued integration of climate change planning into KRLT's conservation prioritization tool as well as community forest work. KRLT's mission is to work with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

LONG LIVE THE KINGS

Long Live the Kings (Seattle, WA) $53,000
For general operating support for LLTK salmon recovery efforts in Hood Canal, Puget Sound, and the greater Salish Sea. Long Live the Kings' mission is to restore wild salmon and steelhead and support sustainable fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Previous LNFF grants supported the Hood Canal Bridge Ecosystem Impact Assessment Plan. Since its founding in 1986, LTTK has combined innovative field work, pioneering science, broad partnerships, and sophisticated new management tools to help decision-makers advance salmon recovery while balancing the needs of fish and people. Long Live the Kings works to restore wild salmon and steelhead and to support sustainable fishing.

MINNESOTA LAND TRUST

Minnesota Land Trust (St. Paul, MN) $28,000
To support the Trust's work in SE Minnesota, the most biodiverse area of the state with an array of ecological systems, important habitat, and recreational benefits. The Minnesota Land Trust protects and restores Minnesota’s most vital natural lands in order to provide wildlife habitat, clean water, outdoor experiences and scenic beauty for generations to come.

MOUNTAINS TO SOUND GREENWAY TRUST

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (Seattle, WA) $27,500
To support partnership-building and community engagement with partners in the region to collectively implement restoration in the Bear Creek Watershed, within the larger ecological restoration strategy of the region. MTSG’s mission is to lead and inspire action to conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature.

OCCIDENTAL ARTS & ECOLOGY CENTER

Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (Occidental, CA) $5,000
To support the Bring Back the Beaver campaign. OAEC cultivates ecological literacy and builds the capacity of civic and social movement leaders and organizations to guide their own communities to an ecologically regenerative, economically viable, and socially just future.

ROGUE BASIN PARTNERSHIP

Rogue Basin Partnership (Medford, OR) $25,000
To support completion of two projects by RBP member Rogue River Watershed Council to restore fish passage and habitat complexity in Salt Creek. The Rogue Basin Partnership is a member-based collaborative organization that serves as a coordinating entity for watershed restoration within the 3.3-million acre Rogue River Basin of SW Oregon and NW California. The Partnership unites people in restoring the Rogue by strategically investing in the stewardship, and provides a basin-wide venue and perspective to enhance the success of members and partners.

TRUCKEE RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL

Truckee River Watershed Council (Truckee, CA) $53,000
For general operating support, with an emphasis on TRWC’s work as convener of the Truckee River Basin Water Group to influence timing and implementation of water releases from seven dams on the Truckee for the benefit of water quality, fish, and wildlife; and for project development work on at least three high priority habitat restoration projects through scoping, assessment, and project design to be eligible for state agency grants that can pay for implementation (construction). TRWC protects and restores the water quality and biological resources of the watershed; they serve as conveners, coordinators, and implementation leaders for restoration projects directly related to the health, beauty, and economy of the watershed. The Council believes that a more sustainable tomorrow starts with the watershed. Their goal is to restore the resiliency of our environment—so nature and humanity can thrive together for generations.

VALLEY STEWARDSHIP NETWORK

Valley Stewardship Network (Viroqua, WI) $43,000
For general operating support. Valley Stewardship Network works to protect land and waters in the Kickapoo watershed through research, education, and community empowerment.

WATER FOUNDATION FOR THE NORTHWEST TRIBAL SALMON ALLIANCE

Water Foundation (Sacramento, CA) $32,500
To support a campaign to build political will from a broad cross-section of the Northwest’s leadership to achieve an agreement for the Snake River that includes recovery of wild Snake River salmon populations, restructuring of Bonneville Power Administration, enhancements to the Northwest’s regional transportation network, support to the agricultural economy of the region, and resolution of tribal treaty obligations and associated cultural and economic needs. Key to this success is the expertise, commitment, and approval of impacted native tribes; funding supports a native-led group, the NW Tribal Salmon Alliance, to serve as a dedicated voice for tribal leaders and to provide capacity and assist in coordinating their joint efforts. The Water Foundation’s mission is to support lasting water solutions for communities, economies, and the environment.