Freshwater Conservation

Big Sur coastline and the mouth of the Carmel River, part of a protected coastal corridor that includes the headwaters of 13 watersheds. © Douglas Steakley

Help Protect the World's Fresh Water!

With your help, we can protect fresh water around the world.

Learn more about what The Nature Conservancy does to protect freshwater ecosystems around the world.

Did you know that deforestation affects an ecosystem's ability to provide clean drinking water to the people who live there? Or that the location of a dam could determine the survival of migratory fish?

This interactive feature lets you explore the different threats that have an impact on watersheds around the world—and the strategies the Conservancy is using to address them. Click on the illustration above to actually see how different changes, such as the building of a dam, can affect a freshwater ecosystem.

In addition to learning about the different strategies the Conservancy uses to mitigate the impacts to threats such as invasive species, increasing water consumption, and agricultural runoff, you can read examples of how the Conservancy is implementing these strategies all over the world.

Deforestation
South America
The Mississippi River Valley

Dams
Magdalena River, Colombia
Penobscot River, Maine
Yangtze River, China

Agriculture
Mackinaw and Root Rivers, Illinois and Minnesota
Flint River, Georgia
Paraguay-Parana River, Brazil

Invasive Species
Q&A with Lindsay Chadderton
San Miguel River, Colorado

Reduced Water Consumption
Colorado River, CO and Murray Darling River, Australia
Great Lakes

Floodplain Conversion
Emiquon, Illinois
Klamath Basin, Oregon

Climate Change Strategy

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © TNC (watershed graphic); Photo © Douglas Steakley (Big Sur coast within park that includes headwaters to 13 watersheds).