Adopt-a-Waterbody: Utah's Watershed Initiative
Who Can Adopt and Where? | What's Involved?
How do I get Started? | Online Application
About Adopt-a-Waterbody
Adopt-A-Waterbody (AAW) is an innovative community involvement program designed to benefit Utah's water resources and be rewarding and educational for the volunteer groups involved. A partnership of three state agencies directs the program.
It includes the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. In addition, Utah State University Water Quality Extension provides local coordination and assistance for water-related education, monitoring, and restoration activities.
Why Adopt?
The Adopt-A-Waterbody program unites a variety of volunteer groups throughout the state to work toward one purpose: To protect and enhance the waters of the beautiful state of Utah. The program's goals are to:
- Promote water education activities.
- Encourage partnerships involving private groups and public agencies.
- Advocate pollution prevention through personal stewardship projects.
- Acknowledge the water quality education/improvement efforts of individuals and groups.
Who Can Adopt and Where?
Any individual or group can adopt a public surface or ground water resource, such as a lake, pond, stream, wetland, or aquifer. Some of the types of groups already involved in the program include individuals; schools; scouting troops; local governments; and civic, environmental, and nonprofit organizations. Most groups adopt small sections of waterways near their homes or organizations.
What's Involved?
Adoption means making a commitment to become an active steward for a specific resource area. Groups can take care of a water resource in a variety of ways, such as:
- Organizing a cleanup day.
- Monitoring water quality.
- Mapping pollution sources in the watershed.
- Writing educational articles.
- Organizing a Clean Water Fair.
- Stabilizing streambanks with vegetation.
How Do I Get Started?
There are several simple steps involved in adopting a waterbody. Here is a sample list of steps a group might go through:
1. SELECT A WATERBODY
Think of what surface or ground water resources are important to you. It may be one that you use for drinking water, one that you use for recreation, one that you think needs to be cleaned up, or one that you think is simply beautiful.
Think about how close your waterbody is located relative to your group and if it is accessible and safe for all participants. If you need help in your selection, contact your regional or county coordinator listed on the contacts page.
2. GET THE FACTS
Find out more about your waterbody. Contact your local coordinator or different agencies who are in charge of water pollution control, water supply, flood control, water-related recreation, and habitat protection.
Ask them about their plans and programs (if you are not sure who to call contact the Division of Water Quality, Department of Natural Resources, or Utah State University Water Quality Extension).
This information will aid in your planning process as well as develop partnerships with different agencies and groups.
3. ESTABLISH A GROUP (if one does not already exist)
While individual efforts often provide the spark for more widespread efforts, a group working with a common interest can accomplish more goals and achieve greater awareness for an environmental issue.
4. SET GOALS
Whether your involvement in the Adopt-A-Waterbody program will be limited or extensive, set goals for you or your group that are achievable. While many efforts fail because of unrealistic goals, environmental success stories often stem from groups merely completing one small project.
5. DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN
Identify those activities your group would like to do to improve the condition of your waterbody. You may look at the project ideas page to formulate your plan. Also, set a timetable of estimated completion for your project.
6. APPLICATION
Submit an online application and a representative will contact you.
7. EXECUTE YOUR PLAN
Follow through each step of our plan. Contact your Adopt-A-Waterbody regional coordinator if you need any help or materials and to inform them of events and activities you are implementing. Please keep a record of how many people are working on your project and how many hours were worked. Also, document your activities with photographs. Money may be available to develop the pictures. Contact your local coordinator about financial help.
Always remember to put Safety First! Safety tips
To Adopt-A-Waterbody, please submit an online application.
A representative will contact you about your application.We all have a stake in keeping Utah's water clean. Help give something back to nature.
Adopt-a-Waterbody Home Page | Watershed Projects
Waterbody Basics
Waterbodies Getting Help | Waterbodies Needing Help
Project Ideas | Find a Partner | Contacts | Calendar | News
Watershed Basics
What is a Watershed? | Find a Watershed
Other Watershed Programs | Learn about Utah's Water
Water Education Resources
Top of page
