RESOURCES
Landowner Guides and more
Check out our Publication Library for technical guides on water and riparian management issues.
Free guides by landowners for landowners
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The West's water crisis is a challenge landowners are rising to, with the right support
Take Action!
LANDOWNER-LED RESEARCH
Data points to trust gap with agencies, willingness to adapt among producers
We asked more than 6,000 agricultural water users in the Colorado River Basin what they thought about the current situation, their use of and interest in conservation practices, and their preferences for how to address water shortages going forward. More than 1,000 responded. Explore the data and read our report on the findings.
What landowners are already doing
Stewardship with Vision: David Spicer
See how David Spicer’s inspiring water stewardship has helped prevent a species from being listed as endangered in this Nevada desert valley.
Stewardship with Vision: Jeff Laszlo
Watch the immense transformation wrought on the Granger Ranches by Jeff Laszlo's commitment to restoring the wetland hydrology of O'Dell Creek in the Madison Valley of Montana.
Agua es Vida
This film begins up high in the Taos watershed and then takes us on a journey through the community of farmers and ranchers who depend on the acequias for their livelihood, and helps viewers understand acequias as a system of governance that, when well-attended and maintained, helps ensure a healthy community, healthy lands and sufficient water for all.
Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative
A collaborative endeavor to improve forest, range and watershed function across jurisdictional lines in the Little Snake and Yampa River drainages.
Look Back at 2025's Water and Working Lands Webinars
These events were presented and recorded live via zoom. You can watch the recording and find a recap post at the links below.
January 15, 2025
Restoring the Western Water Cycle: Can we manage land and water to improve the water cycle in the West?
February 12, 2025
Beneath Our Feet: Are groundwater easements a solution for the west?
March 19, 2025
Neighboring Through Drought: Water sharing solutions and what they might mean for the West
April 16, 2025
Irrigating for Food and Fish: Water infrastructure and healthy streams
May 14, 2025
Soil Solutions to Water Scarcity: Making every drop count
July 2, 2025
Surface Water Conservation Programs: What are they and are they working?
Funding Opportunities
While we know that implementation of critical water projects ultimately comes down to the local level, federal funding is an important resource, providing landowners and communities with the money they need to do the work. Historic federal funding made available via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is available to help meet this need. Western Landowners Alliance is committed to helping landowners and landowner-led place-based groups access these funds.
Reach out for more information.
Current Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (AERP) NOFO provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of…
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The goal of the River Stewardship Program is to fund projects that enhance the health of rivers by addressing the root causes of poor water quality and stream habitat. There…
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Successful projects will help test concepts and collect data that can demonstrate the ability to either reduce water use and/or increase long-term resilience to reduced water supplies. Current projects range…
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This new Planning and Project Design Grant funding opportunity includes Water Strategy Grants, Project Design Grants, and Drought Contingency Planning: 1) Water Strategy Grants to conduct planning activities to…
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The Opportunity Freshwater is essential to the functioning of our planet; it’s necessary to sustain healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, it’s inextricably linked to climate change, and humans depend on water…
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The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals to restore, protect and enhance aquatic and riparian species of conservation concern and their habitats in the headwaters of the…
DETAILSPublications
Download these guidance materials
Rock Weirs
Agricultural Water Users’ Preferences for Addressing Water Shortages in the Colorado River Basin
Western water conservation and drought mitigation on private working lands
Water Rights in the West
Stewardship with Vision
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