Our Mission
Increasing water and climate change awareness and inspiring action by teaching people of all ages how to protect and conserve our precious natural resources for future generations.
We achieve our mission of engaging the community in conversation and action through exhibits, programs and public art.
Our Climate and Water Center
The WaterShed is a certified Gold LEED building, an achievement which recognizes our sustainable energy and water efficiency practices. Special features of our building include:
Using reclaimed water in the toilets and HVAC system
Waterless urinals and water-efficient sinks and toilets
Landscape design to reduce heat islands, including a partial green roof
Permeable paver parking lot to reduce stormwater pollution
Water-wise landscape and pollinator gardens
Water
The WaterShed gives visitors a sense of place in the Boise River Watershed, the essential resource that defines the Treasure Valley. Our exhibits, tours and programs explore Boise’s Water Renewal Services, the utility that renews 30 million gallons of water every day, protects the Boise River and keeps our community clean.
Climate
The City of Boise is committed to taking government and community action by collaborating with local partners, businesses and individuals to move the needle on climate change. The city has set a climate action goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. The WaterShed engages visitors of all ages on raising awareness and inspiring action to help meet the goals laid forth in the Climate Action Roadmap.
Our History
In the 1990’s, the City of Boise saw a need for community education about our local water resources and city water renewal services. To fill this need, Public Works Commissioner Donna-Marie Hayes led a community drive to fund the development of educational exhibits. In 2005, she founded the non-profit Boise WaterShed Exhibits, Inc., which raised $1 million by 2008 thanks to community leaders, organizations and corporations who recognize the importance of free environmental education.
Funding for the $2 million construction of The WaterShed was paid for by the City of Boise water renewal enterprise fund, which is funded by utility rates and fees, in 2008. Tax dollars are not used for the WaterShed.
In 2025, recognizing the impacts of climate change in our community and our water systems, The WaterShed added climate education and action to its mission. A new exhibit hall and additional programming highlight the connection of climate and water and explore how Boise is taking action to create a carbon neutral city by 2025.
Annual Report
Read The WaterShed's Annual Report