Members of the Southern Extension-Research Activity-46 (SERA-46) team identified a need for building capacity among watershed leaders to effectively address nutrient pollution in watersheds of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River basin (MARB). A collaborative project was developed to create a network of watershed practitioners and farmer leaders to strengthen the implementation effectiveness of nutrient management strategies that reduce nutrient movement. The project also includes a needs assessment among watershed practitioners, development of training curricula as identified in the needs assessment, and piloting of these materials with two identified watersheds. The project team recently hosted the Great Lakes to Gulf Watershed Leadership Summit in Memphis, TN (Feb 21-22, 2018). Over 40 participants from 12 MARB states representing farmers, farm advisors, state and federal agencies, universities, and NGOs gathered to share ideas, brainstorm solutions, and develop partnerships to tackle nutrient losses in the MARB. One major outcome of the Summit was the identification of the need for the professionalization of watershed coordinators. Work is underway to develop a certification program for watershed coordinators with a nationally-recognized conservation organization. The project team is currently planning a follow-up Summit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to facilitate interaction among upriver watershed leaders with fishers impacted by nutrient pollution and Gulf Hypoxia.