To maintain productive, biodiverse riparian ecosystems that provide quality water, habitat, recreation, and power to meet the economic and ecological needs of the Missouri River Watershed region.
At 2,540 miles in length, the Missouri River is the longest river in the United States, and drains about one-sixth of the North American continent. From its headwaters in the northern Rocky Mountains, the Missouri River and its tributaries flow through the western states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. These states rely heavily upon the Missouri River headwaters system for economic and ecological stability. The rivers, streams, reservoirs, and ponds of the watershed support and provide for agriculture, livestock, recreation, tourism, wildlife habitat, irrigation, drinking water, industry, and power generation throughout these states. Invasive species threaten these many uses.
The Missouri River Watershed Coalition was formed in 2005 in response to a need to consolidate resources, share information, and avoid duplication of invasive species efforts in the region. Since its inception, the MRWC has coordinated its efforts with federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, and other entities concerned with the spread of invasive species to achieve these goals:
- Reduce the introduction and spread of saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and other invasive plants in the Missouri River Watershed region;
- Increase regional coordination and communication, and develop regional management strategies and priorities for invasive plant species and water resources;
- Maximize funding efficiency for public education, prevention, management, and restoration projects on riparian corridors; and
- Join government, businesses, universities, conservation groups, landowners, water users, and sportsmen in private-public partnerships.
By taking a watershed approach to management and pooling limited state resources, the MRWC provides an ideal model for other states to use for regional coordination of invasive species efforts.