The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The J. Strom Thurmond dam photographed from the South Carolina shore of the Savannah River just north of Augusta, Georgia. The dam, built by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1954 to provide hydroelectric power as well as flood control on the Savannah River flood plain from the dam to Savannah, Georgia on the Atlantic Coast. The photograph was taken during a period of controlled water release to provided limited flooding of wetlands. © Mark Godfrey

Reducing the Impact of Dams

Keeping rivers flowing in healthy ways.

Illinois River and its floodplain. As a part of the inland waterway transportation system, the Illinois River is a key component of the Conservancy's Upper Mississippi River program © Doug Blodgett

Water Funds

Protecting land to protect clean water.

The city of Quito, Ecuador. The Quito Water Fund, also known as FONAG, protects watersheds supplying the capital’s 2 million people with 80 percent of their freshwater. The project, which began in 2000, receives monthly contributions from Quito’s water and electric companies to produce nearly $1 million each year in disbursements for conservation projects in the surrounding watersheds. © Erika Nortemann

Protecting Watersheds for Cities

Solutions to reconcile competing demands.

BRANSCOMB, CALIFORNIA - Elder Creek flows into South Fork of Eel Creek in Angelo Coast Range Reserve. The Angelo Reserve is one of the largest intact old-growth douglas fir forests in the world and provides habitat for spotted owls, gray foxes and black bears. This is the first property the Conservancy acquired in California in 1959. © Ian Shive

Global Freshwater Program

Working to improve dams for people and nature.

A large sack of freshly harvest bananas being carried in La Amistad International Park, Costa Rica. Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Costa Rica, the fogshrouded cloud forests and cascading rivers of La Amistad International Park remain one of the largest, least-disturbed areas in Central America. The Nature Conservancy has helped 17 community groups in La Amistad come together as a network known as Red Indígena de Turismo. Through the network, members receive training and resources to develop environmentally friendly economic activities like ecotourism as well as sustainable agricultural practices. © Ami Vitale

Great Rivers Partnership

Conserving rivers through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.

(ALL INTERNAL RIGHTS, LIMITED EXTERNAL RIGHTS) © Bridget Besaw

Sustainable Rivers Project

Working with the Army Corps of Engineers to find sustainable solutions to river health.

We're working to keep water clean for people and nature. © William Britten from iStock photos

Green Economy 101

It will take smart investments in our natural resources to create a sustainable planet.

West Haven, Vermont. Gabe Calvi, the son of a former Vermont Chapter trustee, helps TNC volunteers control Invasive water chestnut on Lake Champlain with TNC's Bald Mountain Preserve in the background. In 11 field seasons, volunteers have removed 243 tons of water chestnut from the lake. © Robert Klein

Green Beer

Just how green is that beer you’re drinking?

Large lake (Lago Vinter) surrounded by the hills of the Poncho Moro Mountain, in Chubut Province, Argentina. The area is a transition ecosystem between the Andes and Patagonian Steppe ecoregion in the temperate grasslands of Patagonia. © Bridget Besaw

Where Does Your Water Come From?

Think you know? Check our map to find out.