A Watershed Moment: Five organizations will become one. Jones Falls Watershed Association, Herring Run Watershed Association, Gwynns Falls Watershed Association, Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association and the Baltimore Harbor WATERKEEPER adopted resolutions in the latter part of 2009 signaling their intent to merge into one organization. A clear mandate from our decision making process was to stay true to our roots by maintaining our contacts and activities with local parks, tributaries, neighborhoods and schools.
We anticipate a full merge by this spring. During this interim period, the five organizations are continuing to fulfill their fiduciary and grant obligations while they work to combine programs, staff, operations and finances.
We are confident that this restructuring will increase our:
- capability to accomplish our common mission,
- chance to be heard and change public policy,
- ability to attract and retain quality staff,
- collective program effectiveness,
- administrative efficiency,
- capacity to lead,
- sustainability, and
- impact on our Baltimore waterways
A transition board of directors has been chosen and is comprised of board members from each of our organizations. They are meeting monthly. The board appointed Fran Flanigan as our Transition Director.
Our “working” name is the Baltimore Water Alliance. The board expects to engage a marketing consultant to guide the process of naming and branding the new organization.
There will be opportunities to participate in surveys and other types of conversations to give us feedback on program priorities, branding and other essential details. As we begin the next phase of the process, stay tuned for more detailed information and opportunities.