Science Hub

Overview
Why Landowners Participate
Conservation Benefits
Science in Action
Collaboration
Pilot Watersheds

Pilot Watersheds

The Science Hub partners with conservation districts and landowners in pilot watersheds across Washington to apply science, monitoring, and collaborative conservation approaches in real-world settings. Each watershed identifies its own priorities while contributing to shared statewide learning about voluntary conservation and watershed-scale outcomes.

Across the pilot watersheds, this work focuses on:

  • Identifying watershed-specific goals and conservation questions
  • Applying watershed modeling to understand the effects of voluntary conservation practices
  • Documenting and mapping conservation practices across landscapes
  • Utilizing cost-effective monitoring strategies to track change over time
  • Developing tools, training, and resources to support conservation planning statewide

Foster Creek CD / Douglas County Watershed

In an arid landscape dominated by dryland grain production and rangeland, this pilot focuses on reducing soil loss, improving water availability, and supporting habitat health. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient working lands under changing conditions.

Foster Creek Conservation District

Goldsborough Creek Watershed

Within a landscape of working forests, pasture, and rural lands, this pilot focuses on improving water quality and supporting healthy streams and aquatic habitat. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation on working lands benefits downstream waters and long-term ecosystem health.

Mason Conservation District

Little Spokane River & Hangman Creek Watersheds

Across a mix of dryland farming, grazing, and rural development, this pilot focuses on reducing sediment, improving stream conditions, and strengthening riparian areas. Work in Hangman Creek emphasizes keeping soil on the land and improving stream health, while efforts in the Little Spokane River focus on protecting water quality and aquatic habitat through monitoring and low-tech restoration approaches.

Spokane Conservation District

Spring Flat Creek Watershed

In a landscape dominated by dryland grain farming, this pilot focuses on reducing soil erosion and keeping sediment out of streams. By tracking conservation practices and using science-based planning tools, the work helps farmers and partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports healthy soils, clean water, and long-term agricultural productivity.

Palouse Conservation District

Sumas River Watershed

Within a productive agricultural landscape shaped by dairy and crop production, this pilot focuses on improving water quality, managing nutrients, and reducing flood risks. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation supports both farm viability and long-term watershed health.

Whatcom Conservation District

Touchet River Watershed

In a working lands landscape shaped by dryland farming, grazing, and irrigated agriculture, this pilot focuses on reducing erosion, keeping soil on the land, and improving stream and habitat conditions. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient farms and healthy watersheds.

Columbia Conservation District