Our Mission
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council is a nonprofit organization that initiates, encourages, and supports projects that protect and enhance the 122-miles of the Merced Wild and Scenic River and its watershed—from the headwaters in Yosemite’s wilderness to the inlet of Lake McClure at Bagby.
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council was established in 2001 through a watershed coordinator grant awarded to the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District. The Council recruited stakeholders and partners, identified Watershed needs, and formulated a work plan for the watershed. In 2008, it gained 501(c)3 status as a nonprofit organization. The Council does not own or manage any land or water.
Our mission is to protect and enhance the Merced Wild and Scenic River and its watershed through education, stewardship, and partnership-based projects.
As an organization, we . . .
Champion the protection of the river and watershed values
Serve the community as a trustworthy source of information
Embrace inclusivity and diverse perspectives
Cultivate partnership and collaboration
Combat climate change to create resilient communities
Our Values
Our Priorities
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council works with federal agencies, tribes, community groups, and the public to . . .
Protect and enhance water quality in the Merced Wild and Scenic River and its watershed tributaries
Protect and enhance biological diversity of the Merced Wild and Scenic River and its watershed
Implement strategies to combat climate change and the threat of catastrophic wildland fire in the watershed
Promote equitable access and appropriate, responsible recreation in the watershed
Convene and collaborate with all who care about the river to strengthen our collective watershed protection impact
Create a more formal, sustainable structure for the Upper Merced River Watershed Council
Equity & Inclusion Statement
Everyone belongs in the watershed!
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council believes that the Merced Wild & Scenic River and its watershed are places for all. Just as diversity in nature is essential for ecosystems to thrive, we seek to create environments and opportunities that embrace difference and honor the whole person, so that they feel welcomed, valued, and supported to fully and authentically participate in our organization.
We do this through ensuring equitable access to the watershed and inclusion in our work:
Equitable Access:
Ensuring access for all is not only part of our guiding principles, it is at the heart of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. We’re committed to promoting equitable access to the Merced River and its watershed in order to grow a wide-reaching constituency of stewards and a community that cares.
Inclusion:
Central to our mission is engaging and collaborating with the community to realize positive change. We have much to learn from each other. We’re committed to including a diversity of voices and perspectives in everything we do, especially those who have been traditionally marginalized or gone unheard. To that end, we want to make sure that underrepresented communities know they belong and are welcome within all facets of our work–from volunteers to board members to staff.
As the Watershed Council re-ignites its efforts, we are in the process of examining our practices, learning from our community, and dedicating our efforts towards operating as an equitable, inclusive organization.
