Rogue Water Forum
September 5, 2025 | Central Point
Help Shape the Future of Water in the Inland Rogue
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CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Event Overview
WHEN: September 5, 2025 10 AM to 3 PM (doors open at 9:30 for coffee and snacks)
WHERE: Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 568 Hanley Road Central Point Oregon
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Regional leaders, agency and non-profit staff, Tribes, irrigators, water providers, and anyone invested in the future of water in Jackson and Josephine Counties.
COST: Free and open to the public, lunch provided. RSVP requested by August 22nd.
Building a Resilient Water Future
Water shapes everything in the Rogue Valley — from our farms and forests to our homes, health, and economy. But today, we face rising challenges:
- Shrinking summer streamflows
- Rising wildfire risks
- Aging water infrastructure
- Competing demands across users and sectors
The Rogue Water Forum is a chance to act — to come together across boundaries, share what we know, and shape a sustainable path forward for water in our region. Without coordinated planning, these challenges will only grow more severe. But by working together, we can find real solutions that reflect our local values.
Forum Goals
The Rogue Water Forum is a collaborative gathering designed to address the water challenges facing the region. Hosted by the Inland Rogue Water Resilience Group (IRWRG), this event will bring together regional leaders, agency representatives, and community members to share knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and chart a path forward for sustainable water management. Goals for the forum include:
Inform & Educate
- Share information on future water scenarios and current conditions.
- Introduce Oregon’s Place-Based Planning approach.
- Highlight data gaps and vulnerabilities.
ENGAGE & LISTEN
- Gather insights on water needs, priorities, and community concerns.
- Facilitate discussions on lived experiences and future goals.
EMPOWER & ACTIVATE
- Launch meaningful community involvement in water planning.
- Build a shared narrative about water challenges and opportunities in the region that supports action and funding.
While the Forum centers on the “Inland Rogue” region—Jackson and Josephine Counties—we recognize the interconnectedness of our landscapes and invite participants from across the broader Rogue Basin.
What Attendees Gain
By attending the Rogue Water Forum, you will:
- Contribute to early-stage conversations about regional water challenges
- Help shape a shared understanding of current and future water conditions
- Identify data and information needs for informed decision-making
- Connect with others and explore next steps toward inclusive, community-driven planning
This is just the beginning. Your voice could help launch a long-term, inclusive planning process that goes beyond reports and into real solutions.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Forum Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors for helping us offer this event free of charge: The Grange Co-Op, Rogue River Watershed Council, Energy Trust of Oregon, Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon Water Resources Department, and Southern Oregon University Institute for Applied Sustainability.
About the Inland Rogue Water Resiliency Group
The Inland Rogue Water Resiliency Group (IRWRG) is a newly forming partnership of local agencies, watershed councils, and other organizations working together to address water challenges in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The group formed out of a shared concern about water scarcity, climate change impacts, and the lack of a coordinated regional strategy.
IRWRG is co-convened by Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District and the Rogue River Watershed Council, with support from the Oregon Water Resources Department. Together with core partners (Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, Illinois Valley SWCD, and Southern Oregon University staff and faculty), they are working to build a collaborative, community-driven approach to regional water planning. The group will continue to evolve as we move toward a broader Place-Based Planning effort.
IRWRG anticipates applying for Oregon’s Place-Based Planning Fund and is hosting the Rogue Water Forum as a foundational step in that process. This event will help identify shared priorities, build partnerships, and lay the groundwork for inclusive, long-term planning and action.