President’s Message:

Several years back some of the current Board of Directors of the Institute foresaw a need for an organization that addresses the special needs and characteristics of urban watersheds. As densely populated areas, urban watersheds have many competing demands on their resources and ecologies and exert significant demands on the environment. What resulted was the creation of a non-profit organization registered in Colorado, named the Urban Watersheds Research Institute (UWRI).

UWRI is dedicated to promote professional advancement through research, seminars, conferences technical support, scholarships, student intern programs and other activities. Its goal is to work with and facilitate technology transfer to administrators, planners, designers, engineers, scientists and other professionals in public and private sectors involved in the planning, designing managing and upkeep of urban watersheds, their water resources and ecosystems for the benefit of the general public and the environment they live in. Topics of most immediate concern include:

• Urban water resources;
• Stormwater system design and management;
• Stormwater quality and quantity management;
• Floodplain management;
• Urban stream and lake protection and restoration;
• Urban ecology;
• Community needs, including aesthetics and function; and
• Other topics serving professional community.  

Since its creation in 2005 URWI focused on the needs of professionals in public and private sectors.The board views this organization as a vehicle for technology development and transfer to professionals dealing with urban watershed problems and issues at all levels. UWRI have gained recognition as a center for science and technology focused on the special needs of urban watersheds and  we ask you to support us and to share your thoughts and ideas with us by emailing us at info@urbanwatersheds.org.

To help UWRI and UWRI's long term goals, the Board of Directors has set up a Board of Advisors and a Technical Advisory Committee consisting of the members listed below. UWRI is grateful for their service and dedication.

Ben Urbonas, P.E., D.WRE, Chairman of the Board