Integrated Watershed Management

Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is a coordinated approach to managing land, water, and living resources within a watershed—a natural area where all water drains to a common outlet. It involves collaboration among communities, governments, and organizations to sustainably use resources, prevent pollution, conserve water, and protect ecosystems. By considering the entire watershed, IWM ensures that actions in one area benefit the whole system, supporting environmental health, community well-being, and economic development over the long term. It emphasizes balancing human needs with nature’s capacity to sustain itself.