The Blue River Watershed Association (BRWA) was initiated by a 7th grade science teacher in Kansas City, Kansas in 1996 and began the T.R.U.E. Blue Project (Teaching Rivers in an Urban Environment: The Blue River Watershed Project). In 1997 BRWA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 with a mission to restore and protect watersheds through environmental education, community outreach, partnerships, and collaboration. It has three over-arching goals of community education and outreach; environmental stewardship; and strategic partnerships. In community education and outreach the association works with school districts throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan (Kansas and Missouri) to teach young people about the importance of good water quality to health, recreation and the quality of life in watersheds. BRWA's community programs inform citizens, neighborhood associations, cities, counties and local businesses about ways that all citizens can contribute to healthy rivers and streams. As creeks, streams, and rivers do not stop at political boundaries –- they cross city, county and state lines our work built upon effective, strategic partnerships with citizens, cities, counties, and businesses across the Metro Area. The Blue River Watershed Association believes in the power of partnerships to achieve goals for a healthier watershed.