Upper Merced River Watershed Council, July 2024

With the help of many partners across the region, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council received $300K in funding over the next three years from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. The Alliance, as well as 13 other partner organizations and agencies, wrote letters of support to help bolster the grant application for the UMRWC.

“This grant will enable our small nonprofit organization to hire a part time director, bring on an Americorp volunteer, rally volunteers, and take on the ambitious slate of projects outlined in our 2024-2028 Watershed Work Plan. Thanks to your showing of support–and that of 13 other agencies and organizations–the Bureau shared that our proposal received one of the highest rankings from its review panel.

The funding is expected to be released in early 2025. In the meantime, we are rolling up our sleeves and looking forward to your continued partnership as we seek to protect and enhance the Merced Wild and Scenic River and its watershed for our community and for future generations.” -Kristina Rylands, Board Vice Chair

Congratulations, Upper Merced River Watershed Council! Learn more about their work here.