During the summer of 2010, a chance meeting of Rural and Urban perspectives regarding the region’s rivers and broader watershed concerns happened on a pontoon ride on the headwaters of the Maumee River. Participants on that tour included: the Supervisors of the Indiana Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District, the District’s Director, and urban water quality/quantity advocates. Two major outcomes from that 2-hour ride were: First, the urbanites’ perspective was increased in learning and understanding what government agencies and NGOs were actively involved in water quality/quantity issues. Second, the SWCD personnel became aware of urban needs and efforts in addressing their water quality/quantity concerns.
The next two years saw a cross-pollination of urbanites serving predominantly rural organizations and Boards. And, rural representatives becoming involved in urban initiatives and organizations. This blending and understanding of the broader watershed concerns and urban concerns began a much-needed holistic view of our region’s rivers.
The Tri-State Watershed Alliance was organized and obtained 501-(c)-3 status in 2012. The name was not ideal but conveyed the intent of the organization. To be an entity that could reach across geo-political boundaries when needed in addressing water quality/quantity concerns. An initial goal of the TSWA was to find an operating formula that would allow other watershed-minded organizations, both governmental and independent, to partner; assist, and be assisted in addressing the water resource needs of the region.
Initial successes of the TSWA were numerous. However, the ultimate goal of bringing more collaborative partner organizations together, while maintaining their individual identity and specific workloads, did not happen quickly. After 6 years of trust-building, demonstrating small collaborative successes, and ongoing communication between organizations, 2018 saw six organizations, both rural and urban, begin an earnest dialog and detailed guidelines that finally lead to the creation of the Maumee Watershed Alliance in 2020.
From this collaborative approach, the MWA desires to support, where appropriate, the region’s collective need to safeguard and improve our precious water resources. To accomplish this we have both Rural and Urban, governmental and independent broad-based viewpoints, creative approaches to solutions, and support to move forward the long-term goals throughout the entire Maumee Watershed.