Author: James Kraft, Executive Director
It’s hard to believe that WWT started our journey back in 1998! Local water conservation was different then: many rivers and streams ran dry every summer after more than 100 years of development. Lawsuits and conflict were the norm. Collaborative market-based solutions like purchasing water rights from voluntary sellers to protect instream were unproven in Washington.
Twenty-eight years later, the proof is in the pudding, or rather, the river. This approach has resulted in more than 7 billion gallons of water permanently protected in rivers and streams across the state for fish, farms, and communities.
Unfortunately, over-appropriation effects linger and climate change further threatens streamflows. Rising to these challenges will take leadership, perseverance, and fresh solutions. Our new 2026-2030 WWT Strategic Plan shows that we are ready to meet the moment.
WWT will expand successful projects and chart new paths. We will continue buying and leasing water rights while building out tools like our Walla Walla Basin Decision Support Tool to better identify, prioritize, and synthesize conservation opportunities.
Our team will also promote sustainable water management, alternative sources like recycled water, and improved drought planning through deeper collaboration with Tribes, government agencies, and other partners.
WWT will restore water in more areas and expand projects in established basins. Our new priority areas include the Salish Sea region from the Nooksack down to the Green-Duwamish watershed, and northern Oregon.
We will tap into partner networks to increase restoration in the Walla Walla, Yakima, and Upper Columbia, where we will protect millions of additional gallons that are critical to salmon and other wildlife.
We envision protecting 20% more water, or more than one billion gallons, instream by 2030. Making this incredible progress will not be easy, but having dedicated partners and supporters like you guarantees that we will achieve the goals laid out in our new strategic plan.
Washington Water Trust is primed to lead and succeed, just as we did 28 years ago. Thank you for flowing with us towards a sustainable freshwater future!
