Joe Madden: Water Resource Project Manager II + Construction Advisor

Project Manager, Site Assessor, Water Resource Analyst

Joe takes Watershed Progressive projects from conception to fruition—leading project teams, performing site analysis, conducting technical design and advising while engaging directly with clients. He joined Watershed Progressive in 2018, previously lending his talents to water-brethren Greywater Corps and Water LA, among others. While living and working off the grid on a remote island in the South China Sea, Joe became determined to work in the regenerative design realm—a field well-suited for his eclectic interests and background that range from political science and orchestral music, to inner-city culture, underwater sports, and corporate sales/management. With a basic foundation of technical training and seminars, Joe embarked on a path of experiential, hands-on learning including urban regenerative landscaping, local food systems, water harvesting, water recycling. During this time, he worked alongside contractors, engineers, architects, venture capitalists, celebrities, municipal building and health departments, and non-profit activist groups, to understand the process of water project implementation. Joe has designed, facilitated, and built numerous residential and community water projects across California over the past eight years. He sees his work as implementing, developing, and improving upon theoretical strategies. “Implementing these strategies means translating theories and ideas into an impactful reality,” Joe says. “Physically re-hydrating watersheds in a decentralized, pro-biotic, and scalable approach that directly benefits the ecologies that we are a part of.” 

Joe attained a Permaculture Design Certification from the Regenerative Design Institute, professional accreditation from the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, Water Harvester Certification from the Watershed Management Group, and his Qualified Water Efficiency Landscaper certification from the EPA. He also earned a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2006. Joe was born and raised in sunny Southern CA. He moved with his family from Los Angeles to Ojai in 2018, with his wife Lyndsey and pets Chairman Meow and Schwazie.