What We Do
Photo by John Hammond
How We Work
JW Associates works collaboratively with municipalities, non-profits, private companies, local, state and federal agencies, and stakeholders to address challenges facing watersheds in Colorado and throughout the West, including wildfire, drought, insect epidemics, and floods. At the same time, we are working to provide our partners with clear actions to support climate adaptation strategies.
Areas of Focus
Wildfire Planning & Mitigation
Two main areas of focus for wildfire planning and mitigation include pre- and post-wildfire planning/mitigation projects and watershed wildfire hazard assessments. Many of our projects combine these focus areas in a holistic process that prioritizes critical watersheds, and provides plans to manage pre- and post-wildfire hazards in critical watersheds for water supplies.
Climate Adaptation Strategies
We focus on long-term ecosystem and watershed resilience to mitigate or adapt to the impacts of climate change. JW Associates has completed several large watershed planning efforts that included identifying actions that would minimize hazards and disturbances linked to a changing climate.
Watershed & Environmental Planning
These watershed planning projects involve hazard and values assessments, watershed prioritization and targeting watersheds with specific projects to reduce hazards and/or improve watershed resilience. Environmental planning projects involve work with federal agencies and all stakeholders to increase NEPA process efficiency and find creative solutions.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Facilitation
Involving stakeholders and communities in watershed and landscape scale projects is essential to project success. We have designed, organized, and facilitated dozens of public meetings and countless collaborative group meetings. We work hard to hear diverse group perspectives, and work towards common goals.
Examples of Collaborative Projects
Many of our projects span several of the focus areas shown above. Here are some examples of past and ongoing intersectional projects:
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Upper Poudre River Watershed Projects
Starting in 2011, JW has worked on various projects, all in an effort to help protect and restore the Upper Poudre River Watershed.
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Watershed Wildfire Protection Group
In collaboration with stakeholders in Colorado, JW Associates founded the WWPG to identify hazards to water supplies caused by wildfires.
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Colorado Springs Utilities & USFS Partnership
Bridging assessment, planning, and hazard mitigation work, this ongoing project addresses multiple hazards to the important water sources for Colorado Springs.
Photo by John Hammond