A watershed is any sloping surface that sheds water. Often, the term refers to a drainage basin or area of land that discharges its surface waters through a single outlet or stream. A large stream like the Missouri River can drain a huge land area and encompass a watershed of thousands of square miles.

The watershed approach recognizes the geographic basin as a logical organizing entity for natural resource management. Participants in watershed groups come from diverse backgrounds and hold varying perspectives and concerns. Identifying shared values and finding opportunities for agreement is central to the watershed approach.

Watershed groups emerge locally in response to local concerns and issues.

The success of watershed groups is often dependent on cooperative partnerships built on understanding, trust and respect. Because they reflect the needs of the community, on-the-ground projects encompass a wide variety of natural resource issues, but often include a strong education and outreach component. Projects include water quality monitoring, strategies for living with wildlife, noxious weed management, habitat restoration, stormwater rain gardens and more. Watershed groups are developing as more local communities and institutions understand the value of a ground up approach to problem solving.

Montana is recognized as a leader in putting this strategy to work in communities across the state.