Mission statement:  The Network supports the work of Oregon’s watershed councils to enhance watershed health and benefit their local communities.

According to their webpage, here’s why watershed councils are important:

• Local watershed councils are highly effective in the planning, development, and implementation of projects to maintain and restore the biological and physical processes in watersheds for the sustainability of their communities.
• Councils often identify landowner participants for important projects, develop priorities for local projects, and establish goals and standards for future conditions in the watershed. On-site projects are implemented in an effort to enhance the watershed’s ability to capture, store, and beneficially release water.
• Education programs inform people about watershed processes and functions. Watershed councils provide coordinated, broad-based review of land management plans to local, state, and federal decision-makers.
• Watershed councils help bring state, federal, and private funding to local communities for ecosystem restoration, monitoring, and education.
• Together with their many partners, councils make a significant positive impact on the local environment, economy, and community.

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