Protecting and restoring watersheds since 2005

Science + Community

The Watershed Center protects and restores watersheds for people and the environment using a collaborative and science-based approach.

We are a stakeholder driven, non-profit organization located in Boulder County, Colorado that values science and community. We used sound science to monitor, assess, and manage our watersheds. We use data to plan and implement on-the-ground forest and river restoration projects. We strive to build a strong stewardship ethic in our community through place-based and participatory learning.

View The Watershed Center 2023 Impact Report

Colorado Gives Day

Colorado’s Largest Giving Event – Donate Nov. 1st through Dec. 5th

Make a difference for your community by helping us build climate-ready watersheds. Your donation will help us protect clean water, mitigate fire risk to communities, provide outdoor learning experiences for youth, and ensure that collaborative science is guiding our community towards more resilient, climate-ready, watersheds. Together we can protect and sustain our forests, rivers, and communities – and every contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity!

Currents

St. Vrain Forest

St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership

Our local forests are susceptible to high-severity fire due to climate change and overly dense forest structure. While our forests are adapted to frequent low-severity fires, high-severity fires that are increasing in prevalence threaten homes and communities, water quality, habitat, and recreation. To mitigate these risks, forest restoration projects are already happening on city, county, and private lands, and planning is underway for work on federal lands. The St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership is here to 1) keep you informed about work in your neighborhood and across the landscape, 2) answer your questions and connect you with the right people when needed, and 3) work with you to ensure that the forest health restoration projects benefit your rivers, forests, and communities.

St. Vrain Forest

Front Range Fire Followers

Big Five Tunnel

Captain Jack Superfund Site

Photo Credit: Isabel Schroeter

Adaptive Restoration Project

Our Work

Learn more about how we protect and restore Front Range watershed health.

adaptively manage watersheds

Adaptively Manage Watersheds

We use science-based adaptive management to monitor and manage watershed health from the upland forests to the urban corridor.

Volunteers Engage Community

Engage Community

We are building a community-wide stewardship ethic rooted in watershed science through place-based and participatory learning.

Restore Forests

Restore Forests

We are leading a diverse partnership to address post-fire recovery and restoration, as well as landscape-scale forest health planning.

Restore Rivers

Restore Rivers

We plan and implement on-the-ground projects that advance watershed restoration practices and incorporate climate change scenarios.

Upper Left Hand

Before and After Restoration

Ranch

Before and After Restoration

81st Street

Before and After Restoration