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Watershed Management Group Inc

Tucson, AZ · EIN 200637567 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE C27 · Environment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.watershedmg.org
revenue
$1.2M
expenses
$1.2M
net assets
$818K
employees
20
volunteers
500
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

Watershed Management Group (WMG) develops community-based solutions to ensure the long-term prosperity of people and health of the environment. We provide people with the knowledge, skills, and resources for sustainable livelihoods.

profile · synthesized from sources

Watershed Management Group Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting sustainable water practices and resilient landscapes through community-driven conservation and education. They serve diverse communities across Arizona and the borderlands, emphasizing engagement with BIPOC, low-income, and underserved populations. Their initiatives include rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and environmental literacy programs.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Community Conservation
Promotes sustainable water practices and resilient landscapes through community-driven conservation, education, and partnerships.
GROW Tucson
A grant initiative focused on creating green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods to combat heat and drought.
Living Lab
A demonstration facility showcasing sustainable desert living practices, including rainwater harvesting and native food forests.
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Youth-Led Environmental Stewardship Projects 16 activities
    • Community Steward and Leader Development
      Develops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects focused on environmental practices.
    • Community Steward and Leader Development
      Develops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects, training residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting.
    • Green Infrastructure and Water Harvesting Training
      Trains residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, including international trainings with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, and for teachers in Nogales and Hermosillo.
    • Green Infrastructure and Water Harvesting Training
      Trains residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, including conducting trainings with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, and training teachers from Nogales and Hermosillo.
    • Green Infrastructure and Water Harvesting Training
      Trains residents, educators, and leaders in green infrastructure and rainwater harvesting, including international trainings with Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, and teachers from Nogales and Hermosillo.
    • International Water Harvesting Training
      Conducts trainings on water harvesting systems with universities, students, and communities in Mexico, including the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz and teachers in Nogales and Hermosillo, leading to implementation of rain gardens.
    • River Run Network Engagement
      Operates the River Run Network, engaging members (4715 in 2025) in actions to achieve strategic plan goals related to river restoration and water management.
    • River Run Network Program
      Operates a network with over 4700 members that implements actions outlined in the organization's strategic plan, including river restoration and community engagement.
    • River Run Network Program
      Operates the River Run Network, which had 4715 members in 2025, to achieve actions outlined in its 50-year Strategic Plan, including installing rainwater harvesting systems in residents' backyards and creating green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods through the GROW Tucson initiative.
    • River Run Network Program
      Operates the River Run Network, a program with 4715 members in 2025, which has achieved many actions outlined in the organization's 50-year Strategic Plan within its first five years.
    • School-based Green Infrastructure Installation and Education
      Installs stormwater-harvesting gardens and rain gardens at schools, plants trees through the Canopy for Kids program, and conducts educational components for students and teachers to create cooler, greener learning environments.
    • School-based Green Infrastructure Installation and Education
      Installs stormwater-harvesting gardens and rain gardens at schools, including five Phoenix-area schools and seven schools in Nogales, Sonora, as part of programs like Storm Smart Schools and Canopy for Kids. This includes educational components for students and teachers to create cooler, greener learning environments.
    • School-based Green Infrastructure Installation and Education
      Installs stormwater-harvesting gardens and rain gardens at schools, including five Phoenix-area schools and seven schools in Nogales, Sonora, as part of programs like Storm Smart Schools and Canopy for Kids. This includes educational components for students and teachers to create cooler, greener learning environments.
    • Water Harvesting and Native Landscaping Workshops
      Offers community classes and workshops on water harvesting and native landscaping in the Phoenix Valley (including Phoenix, Avondale, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Surprise, Glendale, Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Goodyear) and distributes native plant kits and "Build Your Own Basin" kits to participants.
    • Water Harvesting and Native Landscaping Workshops
      Offers community classes and workshops on water harvesting and native landscaping in the Phoenix Valley, including Phoenix, Avondale, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Surprise, Glendale, Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Goodyear, and distributes native plant kits and "Build Your Own Basin" kits.
    • Water Harvesting and Native Landscaping Workshops
      Offers community classes and workshops on water harvesting and native landscaping in the Phoenix Valley (including Phoenix, Avondale, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Surprise, Glendale, Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Goodyear) and distributes native plant kits and "Build Your Own Basin" kits to participants.
  • Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration & Installation 6 activities
    • Community Green Space Development (GROW Tucson)
      Operates the GROW Tucson initiative to create green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods, including the installation of water-harvesting demonstration sites.
    • Community Green Space Development (GROW Tucson)
      Operates the GROW Tucson initiative to create green spaces in Tucson's hottest neighborhoods, including the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in residents' backyards.
    • Living Lab and Learning Center Operation
      Operates an interactive facility in Tucson demonstrating sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting, greywater use, native plant cultivation, and solar energy, serving as the organization's headquarters and meeting staff and visitor water needs primarily with harvested rainwater.
    • Living Lab and Learning Center Operations
      Operates a Living Lab and Learning Center in Tucson that demonstrates sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting (15,000 gallons of cisterns), greywater irrigation, stormwater management, native edible plant cultivation (over 500 species), and solar energy use. The facility meets most of its water needs from harvested rainwater for staff and 3,000 annual visitors.
    • Living Lab and Learning Center Operations
      Operates a Living Lab and Learning Center in Tucson that demonstrates sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting (15,000 gallons of cisterns), greywater irrigation, stormwater management, native edible plant cultivation (over 500 species), solar energy, and composting toilets. The facility meets most of its water needs from harvested rainwater for staff and 3000 annual visitors.
    • Living Lab and Learning Center Operations
      Operates a Living Lab and Learning Center in Tucson that demonstrates sustainability practices, including rainwater harvesting (15,000 gallons of cisterns), greywater irrigation, stormwater management, native edible plant cultivation (over 500 species), solar energy, and composting toilets. The facility meets most of its water needs from harvested rainwater for staff and 3000 annual visitors.
  • Water Quality & Hydrologic Monitoring 5 activities
    • Flow365 Community Science Program
      Engages over 80 community scientists to capture flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, contributing to annual water year reports that highlight data trends and impacts of drought.
    • Flow365 Community Science Program
      Engages over 80 community scientists in the Flow365 program to collect flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, contributing to annual water year reports that highlight data trends and drought impacts.
    • Flow365 Community Science Program
      Engages over 80 community scientists in the Flow365 program to collect flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, contributing to annual water year reports that highlight data trends and impacts of drought on river flow, creek flow, groundwater levels, and habitat.
    • Flow365 Community Science and Water Monitoring
      Engages over 80 community scientists in the Flow365 program to collect flow data for 47 stream sites across the Tucson basin, monitoring river flow, creek flow, groundwater levels, and habitat to understand drought impacts.
    • Water Year Reporting
      Publishes annual water year reports, such as the 2025 report, highlighting data trends from Flow365 Monitors for various locations including the Santa Cruz River, Agua Caliente Creek, Pantano Creek, Cañada Del Oro River, and Ciénega Creek.
  • Wildlife Population Monitoring 3 activities
    • Beaver Surveys and Conservation
      Conducts annual bi-national beaver surveys with partners like Glen Canyon Institute, observing active beaver populations on rivers like the San Pedro, and hosts events like Beavers & Brews to raise awareness.
    • Beaver Surveys and Conservation
      Conducts beaver surveys, including an Annual Bi-National Beaver Survey with Glen Canyon Institute, and hosts events like Beavers & Brews to raise awareness and support for beaver conservation.
    • Beaver Surveys and Research
      Conducts beaver surveys, including an Annual Bi-National Beaver Survey with Glen Canyon Institute, observing active beaver populations on rivers like the lower San Pedro.
  • Wildlife Monitoring & Coexistence Research 3 activities
    • Community Stewardship and Leadership Development
      Develops community stewards and neighborhood leaders through workshops and hands-on projects, including training ranchers and ejido members in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, on coexistence with jaguars and landscape/river restoration.
    • Cross-Border Conservation Training
      Trains ranchers and ejido members in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, on coexistence with jaguars and landscape/river restoration.
    • International Conservation Training
      Trains ranchers and ejido members in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, on coexistence with jaguars and landscape/river restoration.
  • Riparian & Habitat Restoration 3 activities
    • River and Stream Restoration
      Conducts river restoration workshops and removes invasive species like arundo from river and streambeds, replanting areas with native trees. This includes restoring 75 acres of the Tanque Verde Creek.
    • River and Stream Restoration
      Conducts river restoration workshops and removes invasive species like arundo from river and streambeds, replanting areas with native trees. This includes restoring 75 acres of the Tanque Verde Creek.
    • River and Stream Restoration
      Conducts river restoration workshops, removes invasive species like arundo from river and streambeds, and replants areas with native trees, restoring habitats such as the Tanque Verde Creek.
  • Water Conservation Education & Outreach 1 activity
    • Community Water Conservation and Green Infrastructure Consultations
      Provides consultations and speakers to individuals, Homeowners Associations (HOAs), and neighborhood groups on water conservation, creating cooler outdoor spaces, and planning water harvesting systems.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Beaver Surveys and Research
      Conducts beaver surveys, including an Annual Bi-National Beaver Survey with Glen Canyon Institute, to observe and document beaver populations on rivers like the San Pedro.
    • Community Water Conservation and Green Infrastructure Consultations
      Provides consultations and speakers to individuals, Homeowners Associations (HOAs), and neighborhood groups on water conservation, creating cooler outdoor spaces, and planning water harvesting systems.
    • Landscape Stewardship Workforce Development
      Co-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program in 2023 to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
    • Urban Forestry and Landscape Stewardship Training
      Co-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
    • Workforce Development in Landscape Stewardship
      Co-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program in 2023 to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that have led to full-time staff positions.
    • Workforce Development in Landscape Stewardship
      Co-founded the Urban Forestry Accelerator program in 2023 to educate a workforce in landscape stewardship and care practices, and provides apprenticeships that lead to full-time staff positions.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$1.24M
Contributions & grants$897K72%
Program service revenue$340K28%
Investment income$7970%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.21M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$769K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.04M
Cash$575K
Investments$0
Liabilities$226K
Net assets$818K
Liquid reserves5.7 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -24.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Lisa Shipek Executive Dir. 40 $89K
board members · 11
  • Brian Drummond — Director
  • Ceanne Alvine — Treasurer
  • Christopher James — Director
  • Gary Forger — Secretary
  • Jennifre Diffley — Director
  • John Shepard — President
  • Judith LeFevre — Vice President
  • Mark Briggs — Director
  • Nancy Montoya — Director
  • Sara Chavarria PhD — Director
  • Shaina Shay — Director
relationships · 31

who they work with

  • ASU Partner — Partnered to start the Urban Forestry Accelerator program.
  • ASU Sustainability Teachers Academy Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Partners with Arizona State University’s Sustainability Teachers Academy to empower educators.
  • Arizona State University’s School of Transborder Studies Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Partnered to bring the Canopy for Kids program to Phoenix school campuses.
  • City of Phoenix Partner — Partners with the City of Phoenix to implement the Canopy for Kids program.
  • Commission for Environmental Cooperation Funder — Provided funding for work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
  • EcoRise Partner — Collaborated on the Storm Smart Schools initiative and the Canopy for Kids program.
  • EcoRise Partner — Collaborates with EcoRise to bring shade trees and native gardens to schools.
  • El Colegio de la Frontera Norte Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
  • FMI Funder — Sponsored the Baboquivari High School project.
  • Glen Canyon Institute Partner — Collaborated on a beaver survey.
  • HOAs Partner — Provides free cooling consultations for homeowners associations as part of the Cool Tucson program.
  • La Diócesis de Nogales Partner — Collaborated on work with schools in Nogales, Sonora.
  • Living Streets Alliance (LSA) Partner — Aligns with LSA's position on propositions related to sustainable mobility.
  • Microsoft Philanthropies Partner — TEALS is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects industry professionals with high school teachers to bring computer science into Tucson schools.
  • National Phenology Network Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, is a certified local phenology leader with the National Phenology Network.
  • Northern Jaguar Project Partner — Collaborated on training ranchers for coexistence with jaguars.
  • Phoenix International Academy Partner — Partnered to plant 34 new trees on campus through the Canopy for Kids program.
  • Profauna, AC Partner — Collaborated on training ranchers for coexistence with jaguars.
  • ROC#301047 Government — Holds a contractor license with ROC#301047
  • Social Venture Partner’s (SVP) Fast Pitch program Partner — Selected WMG's Co-Founder and Executive Director Lisa Shipek to participate in their Fast Pitch program, where the River Run Network earned the SVP Tucson Award.
  • Sustainable Tucson Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, serves on the core team for Sustainable Tucson.
  • TEALS Partner — Dan Stormont, a WMG member, is the Tucson Regional Manager for TEALS, a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects industry professionals with high school teachers to bring computer science into Tucson schools.
  • Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Collaborated with the university for rain garden training in La Paz, Mexico.
  • Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Conducted a training on water harvesting systems with students and community.
  • Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Partner — Partnered to conduct a rain garden training in La Paz, Mexico.
  • University of Arizona Partner — Founders met through the University of Arizona’s Watershed Management master’s program.
  • churches Partner — Provides free cooling consultations for churches as part of the Cool Tucson program.
+ 1 more