Mission

The mission of the Association is to work collaboratively with communities and landowners to develop and implement voluntary watershed restoration, enhancement, and community engagement activities that promote healthy and resilient ecosystems and economies in the Coquille watershed. 

History

The Coquille Watershed Association (CoqWA) was formed in 1994 by a small group of local citizens who were concerned about the health of the watershed and its natural resources. Since that humble beginning, CoqWA has established programs in restoration, monitoring, and education that are valued and supported throughout the watershed.

The Coquille Watershed Association was registered as a 501c3 non-profit corporation with the Oregon Secretary of State in January 1995. Subsequently, CoqWA was recognized locally by the Coos County Commissioners in 1996. Over the years, CoqWA has grown with the support of multiple funders including: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, Coquille Indian Tribe, and more. Approximately 90% of our funding remains in the county in the form of jobs/contracts for on-the-ground projects and locally-purchased supplies & materials.

Since it’s inception, CoqWA has remained active in all the communities of the Coquille watershed, working with ranchers, farmers, timber companies, the cities & Coos County, non-profits and NGO’s, civic groups, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Ports of Coquille and Bandon.  CoqWA has and continues to serve as a clearinghouse of natural resource information for the community and welcomes all to participate in our programming.