History

The Freshwater Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that actively works to preserve and restore our freshwater ecosystems. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, we build, locally implement, and scale the game-changing tools that will achieve freshwater health.

The Freshwater Trust was established in 2009 through a merger of Oregon Trout and Oregon Water Trust. Founded in 1983 by a group of flyfishing conservationists, Oregon Trout started the wild fish discussion in the Pacific Northwest, working to protect and restore native fish and their ecosystems. Oregon Water Trust was founded in 1993 to work cooperatively with water users to keep more water in landowners’ rivers and streams. Oregon Water Trust was the first water trust in the United States.

While remaining true to both organizations’ original missions, the merge allows The Freshwater Trust to address form, flow and function at the same time – creating an integrated and more effective approach in restoring freshwater health.