Several local watershed councils reported declining member participation and a loss of momentum, and council members discussed ways to increase engagement.

Andy Nichols (Sevier River Watershed) said the Sevier council met three times last year with limited participation; he said a field tour of Richfield-area water facilities was the year’s highlight because it gave members a hands-on experience. "The tour was probably the most well attended portion of our year," Nichols said, citing weak engagement at routine meetings.

Members proposed several responses. Trevor and others recommended asking meeting participants at the end of each meeting to propose agenda topics for the next meeting (the Bear River council reported that practice improved ownership). Another common suggestion was scheduling watershed council meetings alongside related water‑user board meetings so attendees need not travel twice; the Jordan River example was cited as a model.

Tammy Pearson described Beaver River Councils’ use of end-of-meeting agenda planning and highlighted shared-stewardship projects and local restoration efforts as content that draws attendance. She also offered to present a stewardship video to other councils.

Warren and others suggested forming a small temporary subcommittee to brainstorm meaningful activities and topics; the chair asked interested members to email staff to arrange subcommittee meetings.

Speakers emphasized that hands-on field activities, clearer agendas tied to basin-level priorities, and better coordination with other boards could help reverse attendance declines; several members volunteered to host tours or joint meetings in remote locations to reduce travel burdens.