The importance of the Platte River watershed cannot be overstated. It is a water source for five million people across three states. It provides vital habitat for wildlife and birds. And it sits at a critical juncture where water shortages, drought, and weather extremes are becoming the norm.  

With our balanced, results-focused conservation approach, Audubon is an effective convener and leader of diverse stakeholders working towards the same goal. We catalyze action by restoring habitat, we provide decision-makers with the latest science, and we conduct research to more fully understand the ecosystem and what it needs. 

The Platte River Initiative addresses the following challenges: the impact of diminishing snowfall in the Rocky Mountains; three states’ competing water demands on the Platte; and the need to maintain and restore the habitat it creates for birds. Sound Audubon science on the Platte’s water supply under changing conditions will shape and inform projections used to develop this plan. The ultimate goal is to build habitat along the waterways that have historically accommodated high flows and ensure water policy considers and incorporates the impacts of a warmer climate.