FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2026
CONTACT: IFC/AFS Center Project: rfiq@h2o-center.org
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM SELECTED TO HOST NATIONAL CENTER FOR ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT (CENTER)
The Instream Flow Council (IFC) and the American Fisheries Society (AFS) are pleased to announce Oregon State University (OSU) has been selected to host the National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (Center). The Center host selection is an outcome of the IFC-AFS Instream Flow and Water Level Conservation (IFWLC) Training Center Project national search effort, a process that involved a public call for letters of interest, invitation to submit a full proposal, and a site visit for the final highly qualified candidates.
Key academic partners affiliated with OSU’s proposal include University of Oregon, Colorado State University, University of Florida, and University of Saskatchewan. OSU’s proposal additionally includes numerous state, federal, tribal and NGO partner affiliate institutions. Importantly, three other highly qualified host candidate institutions that were advanced to the full proposal and site visit stages—Michigan State University, University of Alabama, and University of Idaho and their respective networks of institutions could be additional partners in the Center hosted by OSU.
The Center replaces and updates similar functions that were provided by the former Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group (CIFSG) between 1976 and 2000. The Center will provide critical continuing education water management interdisciplinary training and other related support services. The Center’s core training mission will be supplemented by facilitating research that contributes to improved water allocation conservation and management based on integrating a combination of both human and ecological sustainable water demands and uses of all freshwater and estuarine water sources (surface and groundwater). Center training and other services are based on an interdisciplinary approach integrating a combination of science, legal, institutional, and public involvement elements supplemented by overarching socioeconomics.
Anticipated clientele will include all entities and individuals with formal or informal roles contributing to decision-making processes and outcomes that govern water allocation for human, ecological, and other related uses. This includes entities and individuals that are impacted or potentially impacted by water allocation and use decision outcomes, and any entity or individual with an interest in learning about water uses and management.
The selection of the OSU proposal to host the Center was lauded by AFS and IFC as a strong move forward. “OSU and its partners bring extraordinary capabilities, experience, and serious professional expertise that will lead to an incredibly strong program,” said Gary Whelan, AFS President. Similarly, IFC President Jason Persinger stated “OSU and its partners were impressive in the breadth of expertise they brought to the table. They demonstrated diverse experience and a tradition of providing the highest quality of training and other services that will be necessary for a successful Center. I also applaud the achievements of the IFC/AFS Steering Committee administering this project to select and develop the Center.”
Background information and monthly National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (Center) updates are posted at: https://www.instreamflowcouncil.org/training-center/ and https://www.instreamflowcouncil.org/training-center-rfiq/
AFS published an article on the Center in the Fisheries August 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/fshmag/vuae035
