Mission, History and Accomplishments

The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) works to advance clean water resources and healthy ecosystems through responsible land and water management. Our experienced staff of scientists, planners and environmental professionals are the technical experts who help municipalities, advocates, policymakers and individuals get clean water projects in the ground. Founded in 1992, CWP began as a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education on watersheds. With an initial focus on protecting urban streams from the impacts of land development, the organization has grown over the years to become a national leader on stormwater management and watershed planning.

Some of CWP’s accomplishments include:

• Published more than 270 guidance manuals, articles and reports to assist our national audience with their watershed and stormwater management needs
• Led or participated on Expert Panels to define the nutrient and sediment removal performance for 12 urban Best Management Practices
• Conducted performance monitoring for 9 emerging or under-studied urban Best Management Practices
• Worked on 12 state/district/regional stormwater design manuals
• Reviewed local development regulations for 124 communities to evaluate how well they work to encourage environmentally-friendly development
• Developed management plans for 122 watersheds in 16 states and territories
• Designed and/or oversaw construction for 129 stormwater Best Management Practices to treat polluted runoff from development sites with no existing treatment
• Helped 27 communities find and track down the sources of illegal sewage discharges to the stream
• Reached over 30,000 professionals through our webcasts, conferences, and trainings
• Established the first of its kind professional membership program for watershed and stormwater professionals, with over 2,000 members