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 Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) supports projects that develop or implement on- the-ground measures that directly maintain, enhance and restore Arizona’s river and riparian resources. The AWPF Commission will…
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) annually seeks applications for wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation projects to support the two primary goals of its Wetlands for Wildlife Program: Landowners interested…
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The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local…
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The ACDIF is a program created by the State Legislature at the Interstate Stream Commission. The program makes funding available to acequias for infrastructure projects through an annual funding cycle…
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The LOR Foundation will begin accepting applications for its Field Work initiative on March 20, 2024. Through Field Work, farmers and ranchers in rural parts of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming…
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A grant application may be submitted for locally-based watershed protection efforts. Applicants must be committed to a collaborative approach for the restoration and protection of lands and natural resources within…
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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