The greater Henry’s Fork watershed includes some of the most iconic and ecologically important rivers in the American West. Comprised of the Henry’s Fork, Fall River - Lower Henry’s, and Teton River watersheds, the area holds renowned fisheries, provides important habitat within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and carries critical water resources for local farmers. These watersheds also face significant challenges. Increased downstream demand for existing water rights and declining snowpacks have resulted in higher in-stream temperatures and lower late season flows. These changes threaten both the ecological integrity of the watershed and overall agricultural production in the area. 

he Collaborative is an effort to bring the four primary river conservation organizations in the area together to effect the scale of changes needed to meet watershed wide goals. Each of the four partner organizations has a long track record of working in the Upper Snake area to advance conservation goals. They also have a history of close partnership with each other to advance specific projects. The launch of the Collaborative is the first coordinated effort to align the work of the collective group and to pair their complementary skill sets and local relationships. The partners recognize that greater coordination can help scale solutions across the watershed, allow for better sharing of information, avoid overlap, streamline funding, and allow for new projects that build on complementary skillsets and relationships between the partners.