It is impossible to overstate how important water is to the health of a region, not just for the animals (including humans) that depend on it, but for the health of the plants and ecosystems it supports and sustains.
But all too often, these essential areas have been damaged in the name of profit by developers, industrial polluters, mining, and other concerns.
Enter the nonprofit watershed groups, organizations whose missions can include cleaning up pollution, advocacy, habitat restoration, native plant protection, and many more actions to protect and preserve these critical ecosystems.
Insurance coverage allows these nonprofits to safely operate — so, what do nonprofit watershed organizations need most when it comes to their insurance?
Let’s find out.
Meet some nonprofit watershed organizations insured by NIA.
We asked some NIA-insured nonprofits whose missions watershed protection and rehabilitation about their missions, what they need from their insurance coverage, and why they trust NIA to provide it.
Here’s what they had to say…
Blue River Watershed Group (Summit County, CO)
“The Blue River Watershed Group was founded in 2004 by a group of local community members who were passionate about protecting and preserving the health of the Blue River Basin, a vital tributary of the Colorado River.
Our mission is to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through cooperative community education, stewardship, and resource management.
We focus on the entire watershed, which drains an area of about 680 square miles covering all of Summit County and portions of Grand and Lake counties.”
— Vanessa Logsdon, Executive Director, Blue River Watershed Group
Treekeepers of Washington County (Portland, OR)
“Our mission is protecting existing trees in Washington County. Other groups plant trees — we empower the community to sustain the trees.
We engage with local communities and advocate together to protect existing trees in unincorporated Washington County, we collaborate with other organizations and volunteers to maintain or increase tree canopy, especially in schoolyards, and we identify watershed areas at risk with tree removal for developments.”
— Fran Warren, Board Chair, Treekeepers of Washington County
Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition (Melbourne Beach, FL)
“Our mission is to educate citizens that border the Indian River Lagoon on how they can help restore its health while advocating for funding to support lagoon restoration.
We use multichannel messaging on Indian River Lagoon restoration programs, and we encourage local citizens to support legislation and funding for lagoon restoration projects, including the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program.”
— Craig Wallace, Board Chair, Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
What did these watershed nonprofits need most from their insurer?
Affordable coverage and insurer integrity.
“The expense was very high with our previous insurance, so we were looking for price and integrity.”
— Vanessa Logsdon, Blue River Watershed Group
Coverage for volunteers and officers.
“We needed coverage that protects our volunteers in case of accident during outreach projects, as well as coverage that protects our officers in case of litigation.”
— Fran Warren, Treekeepers of Washington County
Coverage for board members and for events.
“We needed Directors & Officers Liability, as well as coverage for public events and meetings.”
— Craig Wallace, Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
How did these watershed nonprofits hear about NIA?
A reference from their nonprofit network.
“We first heard about NIA from our cohorts.”
— Vanessa Logsdon, Blue River Watershed Group
Another nonprofit’s recommendation.
“We were referred to NIA by another nonprofit organization.”
— Fran Warren, Treekeepers of Washington County
“Another nonprofit told us they were using NIA.”
— Craig Wallace, Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these watershed nonprofits?
Coverage that enables better focus on the mission.
“NIA has helped BRWG fulfill its mission to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through cooperative community education, stewardship, and resource management.”
— Vanessa Logsdon, Blue River Watershed Group
Policies and tools that makes us feel supported — not just covered.
“NIA seems to be more proactive in assisting nonprofits to simply be more successful. We appreciate their analysis of our insurance needs and planning, as well as the ideas for fundraising.”
— Fran Warren, Treekeepers of Washington County
Good rates, strong services, and easy applications.
“NIA had the best rates and services, and the application process was simple and quick.”
— Craig Wallace, Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition
Nonprofit watershed organizations need an insurer that protects their mission.
Why do watershed nonprofits choose to get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s simple: Nonprofits want affordable insurance, from a provider that understands their mission.
With NIA, your nonprofit gets quality coverage, at a price that’s fair and equitable, resources that help your mission succeed, from a team that’s there for you when they’re needed most.
Your nonprofit protects watersheds and helps them thrive — you deserve insurance that protects that mission and helps it thrive, too.
