Watershed Associations

The following are some suggested basic guidelines gathered from around Colorado and the United States for Watershed Associations (WA) and their member Conservation Districts (CD). These guidelines are provided to improve the capacity and functioning of these associations as well as increase the continuity of how WAs operate statewide. Watershed Associations and the bylaws that guide their operations are determined by the member Conservation Districts , but this information is intended to help WAs maintain consistency across Colorado.

Guidelines-Watershed Associations and Conservation Districts PDF file.

Purposes of Watershed Associations

WAs serve several purposes for CDs and the conservation partners in each area. Some of the major purposes include:

• • • • Offering a forum for communication, including educational programs of general interest to those attending or to provide specific information on new, creative conservation programming.

      • Sharing information on programs and events between all Conservation Districts and the conservation partners invited to participate in the meetings. 

      • Serving as a clearing house for WA participants’ concerns, giving those attending the opportunity to discuss emerging or ongoing problems impacting citizens throughout the entire watershed.

      • Providing the chance for WA Conservation Districts to have a unified voice, through the CACD resolution process, to positively impact the conservation and natural resource issues in Colorado.

      • Giving board members the chance to nominate Conservationist of the Year nominees from their Conservation Districts in order to recognize the exceptional on-the-ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers, or small acreage landowners in their area.

Watershed Association Bylaws

As with Conservation Districts , WA bylaws provide the foundation for the operation of the organization. Important considerations to include or to keep in mind when developing or periodically reviewing this guiding document in your area:

• • 1. The purposes of the WA should be clearly identified, detailing the reasons meetings are held for the benefit of Conservation Districts and other WA participants.

    2. Bylaws should include the officers of the WA, terms of office for these leaders, election procedures, and the duties to be completed by the officers during their terms.

    3. The number of Conservation Districts needed to establish a quorum to conduct business must be noted.

    4. The number of WA meetings, timing of the meetings, and how the rotation of Conservation Districts hosting these meetings is determined. 

    5. Consider including a list of the organizations, agencies and elected officials to be invited to WA meetings to allow for consistent outreach to these important contacts.

    6. How the funds of the WA will be managed.

    7. Article(s) on:

       • How to amend the bylaws, including a suggested timeline for review and possible revision of this guiding document (e.g., every three years) and the make-up of the committee to conduct the review.

       • Who can vote at the WA meetings (e.g., all attending supervisors; one supervisor per member Conservation District).

    8. Specific guidelines and requirements for presentations or educational activities planned for each meeting and who is responsible for arranging for these programs. 

Notification of Meetings

It is recommended that initial meeting notices be sent to member Conservation Districts, conservation partners, and other invited participants six to eight weeks prior to the scheduled event. This gives the Conservation District boards time to discuss the upcoming meeting and get the pertinent information on their calendars at regularly scheduled board meetings.

It is helpful if the CSCB Regional Conservation Specialist is included in the WA Executive Committee’s planning for regular WA meetings. The specialist can help WAs avoid conflicts with previously scheduled WA meetings in other areas of the state as well as other major events to help avoid conflicts with conservation partner representatives, including other state organizations, area NRCS staff, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts representatives, and CSCB staff.  

It is recommended that the Watershed Association officers, in communication with the hosting Conservation Districts, send out meeting invitations so there is consistency in communication from meeting to meeting (see the recommendations below). The logistics of each meeting should be finalized with input from the hosting Conservation Districts and the designated contact from each WA.

Recommended Invitees to Each WA Meeting

Natural Resource Conservation Service

• • • District Conservationist (invited by each member district receiving WA invitation)

    • Area Conservationist

    • State Conservationist

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts

• • • Executive Director

    • President 

    • CACD Director from the WA

 Colorado State Conservation Board

• • • Board Member from the WA

    • Regional Conservation Specialist

    • Program Manager

 Other partners to consider inviting (depending on the WA and existing/potential partnerships)

• • • Colorado State University Extension

    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    • State Land Board

    • United States Forest Service

    • Bureau of Land Management

    • Other state or federal agencies important to the WA

    • Water Conservancy Districts

    • Irrigation Companies

    • Non-Governmental Organizations (Trout Unlimited, Nature Conservancy, Farm Bureau, etc.)

    • Regional Conservation Coalitions

    • County Commissioners

    • State Legislators

Considerations for Districts Hosting Upcoming WA Meetings

Host Conservation Districts should work with the WA officers and the CSCB Regional Conservation Specialist to identify potential dates that avoid event conflicts and offer the best chance for maximum member district and conservation partner participation. After the host Conservation Districts chooses the best available date, Conservation Districts staff and board supervisors should work with the WA officers to assure the meeting notice/reservation is timely (6-8 weeks prior to the event) and includes the following details:

• • • Date

    • Time

    • Meal Menu (if offered, including cost)

    • Venue for the meeting (Include specific directions and address to allow for digital navigation to the site.)

    • Program (Depending on other WA business, the host Conservation Districts or WA officers can plan an educational or informational program of interest to the meeting participants. The Regional Conservation Specialist can suggest timely programs.)

    • Registration Cost for the Meeting

    • Registration Deadline to allow the host district to finalize meeting plans.

    • Contact information if there are questions (Include a phone number and email address.)

 The WA officer team will send a tentative agenda prior to the meeting to allow for districts to be informed of the business to be conducted.

Communication with CSCB

Annually please consider sharing the following information with CSCB, primarily for archival purposes:

• • • Meeting notices, agendas and minutes

    • Updated list of officers

    • Changes to bylaws

    • Any other information the WA would like archived, such as reports on projects, partnership agreements, future goals, etc.

 These guidelines are provided to assist Colorado conservation districts in maintaining their Watershed Associations, allowing them to benefit from the increased capacity to do conservation work due to the communication and insight provided by these meetings.

If you have questions or need assistance with your Watershed Association, please call or email your CSCB Regional Conservation Specialist.