Culverts are human-made interruptions to naturally flowing creek ecosystems that prevent local fish populations and other aquatic species from continuing in their migrations. The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service in East Tennessee is continuing aquatic connectivity work in the Cherokee National Forest, and with the support of the Arconic Foundation, funding was leveraged to complete seven culvert replacements and a dam within the Citico Creek watershed, which contains designated critical habitat for 3 federally listed fishes, and more than 60 total fish species. The set of project plans enable barrier removals in this high priority watershed, including reconnection of 15 linear miles of priority habitat for listed species in Citico Creek. The conservation benefits of this work include improved stream network connectivity and aquatic organism passage, reduced risk of sedimentation, and transportation infrastructure resiliency during large rain events.
Country: United States
-
Little River Marbled Darter Fish Restoration
To prevent the loss of a species of unique fish, the Little River Marbled Darter, this project consisted of activities to regenerate the local fish population in the Little River. The Marbled Darter population is considered stable but extremely vulnerable. Without interventions from conservation organizations such as Conservation Fisheries Inc. and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), any adverse event could cause irreversible declines. Arconic Foundation supported the hatching and relocation of Marbled Darter fish in two project locations along the French Broad River and the Little River.
-
Fishing Creek Watershed Restoration and Educational Demonstration
The project site is situated along Fishing Creek, the largest watershed in Columbia County, and a designated Coldwater Fishery with areas of naturally reproducing trout and stocked trout. It is a popular stream for recreation including swimming, kayaking, and fishing, and is utilized as a public drinking water supply for numerous communities, including the Town of Bloomsburg located downstream of this site. The Arconic Foundation contributed support the Columbia County Conservation District for the project’s streambank restoration, and educational signage that points out the life cycle and importance of watershed restoration.
-
South Marsh Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Big Bend State Fish & Wildlife Area is a 2,376-acre area owned and managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The property was drained to facilitate agricultural production prior to IDNR ownership. The wetland habitats at Big Bend SFWA consists of fallow agricultural fields, bottomland forest, emergent marsh, and remnant oxbow backwaters. The Arconic Foundation contributed to the planning and development phase that included staff time, land surveys, and permitting of this large watershed restoration that is planned to complete in 2026. The restoration will install new water control infrastructure capable of both managing floodwaters and providing the IDNR with active wetland control to promote production of desirable moist soil plants and maintain healthy bottomland hardwood forests.
-
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) System Conservation Project
Established in 1865, the Colorado River Indian Reservation was set aside for indigenous residents of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Today, the Reservation includes approximately 300,000 acres of lands and is primarily home to four distinct tribes – the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) have territory that stretches along 56 miles of lower Colorado River lands with the majority of their reservation located in Arizona.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) System Conservation Project is a key part of Arizona’s interstate commitments under the Drought Contingency Plans and is one of the most important projects needed to achieve water security for Arizona. The CRIT System Conservation Project is designed to compensate the Colorado River Indian Tribes for leasing up to 150,000 acre-feet of water—the CRIT have pledged to lease this water and leave up to 50,000 acre-feet per year in Lake Mead for a multi-year period in order to achieve decade- scale water supply benefits for the Colorado River, Lake Mead, Arizona and southern California.
-
Flat Creek Flow Restoration
Flat Creek is a tributary to the upper Flint River located in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. Project partners, including American Rivers, are working to identify changes to reservoir management that have historically restricted river flows during critical dry periods of the year. The final project will ensure that future dam release operations will continue to meet community needs while sustaining healthy streamflow conditions, stream and floodplain habitat and species of concern during critical low flow periods.
-
Foster Meadow Habitat Restoration
The headwaters of the Middle Fork Cosumnes River lie in Foster Meadow, situated in the Sierra Nevadas. The natural hydrology of this smaller but diverse meadow ecosystem was significantly altered by over 100 years of channel modifications, decreasing water quality and limiting wildlife habitat. This project re-hydrated native soils and meadow plants, and improved habitat diversity at varying water depths, as well as removed barriers to habitat connectivity for seamless transition from meadow to the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes. The results are improved water quality and timing of flows, with enhanced aquatic and terrestrial habitats onsite and downstream. -
Jordan River to Farmington Bay Flow Restoration
The Jordan River Flow Restoration project focuses on Environmental Water Transactions (EWTs) as an important conservation tool for restoring and maintaining flow in the Jordan River, and water delivery infrastructure improvement projects. The project focuses on Farmington Bay of Great Salt Lake in Utah. Water transaction efforts in this section of the Jordan River are year-round industrial and municipal water rights.
-
Merced County Seasonal Wetland Habitat
The Merced County Seasonal Wetland Habitat project will expand a successful pilot program by Audubon California to create shorebird habitat in the Grasslands Ecological Area (GEA) of Merced County through the flooding and gradual drawdown of seasonal wetlands during spring shorebird migration. Seasonal wetlands that have been managed exclusively for waterfowl and left dry during the spring will be flooded from April – May to create shallow water habitat during the peak shorebird migration. The project will provide 4,200 acres of crucial habitat.
-
Pine Tree Brook Habitat Restoration
Located just two and a half miles from Boston, in Milton, Massachusetts, Pine Tree Brook is home to a rare and beloved population of native brook trout and the last remaining population that is easily accessible to city residents. This project involved the removal of a series of three dams within the headwaters that will allow the trout access to high value habitat further downstream and permit them to return to the headwaters to reproduce in autumn. Additionally, this project bolsters previous downstream investments of green-infrastructure upgrades aimed at cleaning up stormwater pollution, alleviating some of the impacts of urbanization, and helping to restore water quality in Pine Tree Brook.
-
Prickly Pear Creek Flow Restoration
Prickly Pear Creek had gone dry over the past century as a result of increased irrigation needs. Today, this project provides enough water for Prickly Pear Creek to maintain connectivity throughout the irrigation season—for the first time leaving natural flow in Prickly Pear Creek during the late summer season. The project restores approximately two river miles of additional useable habitat for fish and wildlife.
-
San Saba River Flow Restoration
The San Saba River Water Agreement project focuses on Environmental Water Transactions (EWTs), as an important conservation tool for restoring and maintaining flow in Texas rivers. Water transaction efforts in the San Saba river have primarily focused on the reduction of agricultural water use during the irrigation season under low and critical low-flow conditions, mitigating water scarcity and creating essential aquatic habitat when it’s needed most.
-
Mason Lane Automated Headgate
The Verde River is a major tributary of the Salt River. It is about 170 miles and is one of the largest perennial streams in Arizona. The Mason Lane Automated Headgate project replaced an outdated and inefficient irrigation diversion system with a modern, automated headgate system. The new headgate allows irrigators to more precisely control the amount of water that they divert out of Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River, and into the Mason Lane irrigation ditch.
-
Middle Deschutes River Flow Restoration
Thanks to partnerships between the Deschutes River Conservancy, and local irrigation districts, new solutions have been developed to restore over 115 cubic feet per second of flow to the Middle Deschutes during the summer months. Water leasing agreements with irrigators keeps the river flowing, fostering a healthy ecosystem for people, plants and wildlife. The project covers a a 35-mile section of the river between the city of Bend and Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon.
-
West Jordan Big Bend Urban Fishery and Habitat Restoration
City of West Jordan will work to implement the restoration work on the West Jordan Big Bend Urban Fishery and Habitat Restoration along the Jordan River. The urban fishery will provide a centrally located fishing area along the Jordan River Corridor. It is easily accessible from the Jordan River Parkway, public transit, or along local roads. The main features of the project are a 4.3-acre urban fishing pond, trails, recreational amenities, riparian and river habitat restoration that are important to a variety of plant and animal species.
-
Urban Conservation in Wasco County
We are partnering with the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to install more efficient irrigation systems in The Dalles, Oregon. 17.5 acres of lawn, landscaping, and cemetery will be equipped with five smart controllers that use local weather to adjust irrigation. This will help conserve water in a region experiencing historic drought and failing reservoirs.
-
WRD LVL Advanced Water Treatment Injection Wells Project
The Water Replenishment District of the City of Downey will construct a new injection well to increase groundwater recharge within the source aquifer to improve local water resilience. Project benefits include reducing imported water use to maintain the Alitmos Barrier, increase water supply through groundwater recharge, and maximize re-use of recycled wastewater produced by the LA Sanitation Districts.
-
WRD Robert W. Goldsworthy Desalter Water Treatment Facility Improvement
In partnership with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) and corporate sponsors, we supported the acquisition of a brackish water well to bolster regional water supply. The well is a component of the Torrance Groundwater Desalter Expansion Project (TGDE), which will use reverse osmosis to remove the salts from brackish groundwater and will provide high-quality drinking water to local water customers. This initiative is part of WRD’s Brackish Groundwater Reclamation Program, which seeks to optimize underutilized water resources and reduce dependence on imported water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
-
Wuda Ogwa (Bear River) Water and Habitat Eco-Restoration Phase 2
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation is implementing Phase 2 of this restoration project which focuses on restoring hydrology and habitat along Battle Creek in Franklin County, Idaho. This phase includes constructing a new diversion structure, installing enhanced culverts to improve fish passage, and constructing two miles of new stream channel to reconnect Battle Creek with the Bear River. These efforts will restore 1,951 acre-feet of water to the creek and improve water quality, fish passage, and riparian habitat, while also utilizing water rights for streamflow enhancement. This project is part of a broader strategy by the Shoshone Nation to restore the landscape and watershed to its pre-1863 condition, enhancing ecological health and preserving cultural heritage.
-
Yuba II Forest Resilience Bond
The Yuba II Project is a large-scale forest restoration project that will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve ecosystem health in the Yuba River watershed through treatments implemented within 48,000 acres on the Tahoe National Forest. This project is a multi-year partnership with the National Forest Foundation, Tahoe National Forest, University of California Merced, Yuba Water Agency.
-
Toilet Leak Detection Mercy Housing San Francisco
In partnership with Sensor Industries, Pacific Institute and Mercy Housing, a senior and low income development in San Francisco’s Mission Bay district installed 203 toilet sensors to collect toilet leak data in the building and prevent water loss with leak repairs. This collaborative project is tackling water waste using an innovative toilet leak detection system. A small, non-obtrusive sensor attached to the toilet water supply line can identify toilet leaks in real time. The sensors connect to an online dashboard that sends immediate alerts to property managers and generates work orders for maintenance teams, creating an efficient process to find and fix toilet leaks. Each installation helps save water, streamline property maintenance, and reduce water and wastewater costs.
-
Saint Mary’s Irrigation System Upgrade
This project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, conserve water, and protect local water resources in Oregon’s Mill Creek watershed. By upgrading irrigation systems, it will help reduce water use while supporting the environment. As part of the project, Saint Mary’s Academy’s 17.5-acre irrigated area will receive five smart controllers that adjust water use based on real-time weather data. Additionally, an existing water diversion will be replaced with a modern pumping system and underground sprinklers, which will work with the smart controllers to optimize irrigation. To further support the local ecosystem, the project will also install advanced fish screens approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to safeguard steelhead and other native fish.
-
San Gabriel River Watershed Arundo Donax Implementation Program
The Council of Watershed Health, in partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation is working to remove four acres of arundo donax in high-priority target areas within the San Gabriel watershed to increase water availability in the basin and enhance native habitat. Additionally, the Council for Watershed Health will update its baseline survey to inform plans for removing more acreage of this highly invasive plant. This initiative is part of a larger statewide effort to eliminate this detrimental species.
Arundo donax, a giant cane plant, has been listed as one of the top 100 Worst Invaders of the World by the Invasive Species Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union. It proliferates along waterways across much of coastal and central California. Arundo has significant negative impacts on water availability, water quality, habitat, native species, fire regimes, and infrastructure, and it transpires water at a rate five times higher than native vegetation. -
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Wetland Enhancement Project
Seasonal Wetlands in Central Valley California are important for flood control, water quality and access, and wild life habitat. They are a vital part of the Pacific Flyway, supporting 60% of California’s migratory birds. This project aims to replace dilapidated water control structures, remove unnecessary levees, and construct new swales to better manage Blue Goose Slough, a 60-acre wetland complex in the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. The goal is to manage the wetland as a semi-permanent or seasonally flooded hemi-marsh, depending on surface water availability. The improvements will also allow U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service staff to more efficiently irrigate and manage 215 acres of seasonally flooded areas. This project complements a recent North American Wetlands Conservation Act project on the nearby Triangle and Schwab Ponds.
-
Sawhatchee Creek Sedimentation Abatement and Riparian Repair
In partnership with the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council along with US Fish and Wildlife Service, this project will continue to work with farmers along Sawahatchee Creek to implement best management practices. Management measures include Stream and riparian stability, along with erosion protection and abatement — these practices will reduce soil loss and sedimentation from leeching into the watershed. This project will focus on a road/stream intersect riparian restoration, along a 1 (one) mile section of Sawhatchee Creek, with the goal to correct slope erosion and protect critical habitat for the federally listed mussel species.
-
Shea Island Habitat Restoration
The Shea Island Restoration Project, led by Chico State Enterprises in partnership with the Sacramento River Forum, aims to restore critical habitats for at-risk salmon populations in the upper Sacramento River Basin. The project will remove stranding pools, open historical channels, and restore a network of side channels on Shea Island to enhance juvenile salmonid rearing and spawning habitats. With an estimated 20 acres of juvenile habitat and 5 acres of spawning habitat, the project will also stabilize banks with large rocks and use removed vegetation to enhance instream habitat.
-
Sierra Eight Meadows Restoration
Trout Unlimited initiated the Sierra National Forest Bass Lake 8 Meadows Restoration Project in 2018, partnering with the North Fork Mono Tribe (NFMT). The NFMT has been managing their homeland for thousands of years, including ecological restoration in the Sierra National Forest since 1991. The project aims to restore eight degraded meadows in the Bass Lake Ranger District, with a focus on high-priority sites for the NFMT. The restoration involves removing encroached conifers, conducting fuels management around the meadows, and restoring instream conditions using woody structures. These efforts will expand the wet meadow perimeter and protect the sites from future wildfires. By summer 2023, Trout Unlimited and the NFMT successfully restored four meadows (Beehive, Benedict, Meserve, and Poison). Restoration of the remaining four meadows (China, Chipmunk, Peckinpah, and Texas Flat) is underway.
-
Tarrant Regional Water District Aquifer Storage & Replenishment (ASR) Pilot Project
The Tarrant Regional Water District will develop an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well to increase groundwater recharge and storage, support regional climate adaptation, and demonstrate there are opportunities to scale this technology. The ASR well will increase groundwater supplies at Trinity River Authority’s water treatment plant in east Fort Worth, Texas. Water will be sourced from Richland Chambers and Cedar Creek Reservoirs and the George W. Shannon Wetlands in East Texas. This project will recharge an aquifer with extra water that will regenerate ground water resources by repurposing water by putting it back into a depleted aquifer.
-
Three Creeks Mono-Owens Watershed Restoration Project Phase 1
This project aims to implement a landscape-scale approach to restore forest health in Inyo National Forest near the headwaters of the Owens River. Ecological forest management practices will be employed across 1,302 acres that have suffered greatly due to bark beetle infestation and are now highly at risk of destruction from catastrophic wildfires. The outcomes of this project aim to support watershed resilience, improve forest health, and restore natural ecological variation.
-
Toilet Leak Detection in New York City Transitional Housing
Following up on the successful pilot project with remote leak detection implemented in Southern California, we scaled the partnership to New York City. Implementing partners Sensor Industries and RJ Block installed leak detection sensors on 395 toilets in transitional housing in New York City. Toilet leaks are difficult to detect and are the primary source of water waste in multi-family buildings. Installing this technology will result in quicker toilet repair or replacement and a strong water savings profile.
-
Soil Health work in the Red River Watershed
Approximately 98 miles in length, the Red River is one of the major tributaries of the Cumberland River. The 1,453 square mile watershed includes lands in both Kentucky and Tennessee. Within this watershed, roughly 371 miles of waterways are found to be impaired, where agriculture is listed as a suspected source. With assistance from KY Energy & Environment Cabinet, National Resource Conservation Services, and county Soil & Water Conservation District offices, our partners at the Cumberland River Compact will work with farmers to implement agricultural best management practices on farms in the Red River watershed. Agricultural practices will focus on nutrient load reduction and will prioritize historically underserved farmers.
-
Tuolumne River Reforestation
In partnership with the National Forest Foundation, we funded the restoration of approximately 200 acres in the Stanislaus National Forest that burned during the 2013 Rim Fire. A large portion of the Stanislaus National Forest is in the Tuolumne River Watershed, which is the primary drinking water supply for Bay Area residents. The Rim Fire burned over 257,000 acres of forest, making it the third largest wildfire in California history at the time. Restoring this land reduces the risk of future fire by removing the dead trees, brush, and plants that can act as fuel. It also reduces erosion, improves water quality, maintains habitat for local wildlife, and provides outdoor recreation opportunities.
-
Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Restoration
The Program led by the Council for Watershed Health focuses on removing the invasive, water-intensive Arundo donax (giant reed) from critical areas within the watershed, including the City of Los Angeles and the surrounding San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica Mountains. Arundo transpires water at five times the rate of native plants, significantly impacting water resources, quality, and habitat. By removing Arundo, this project aims to restore approximately 82 acres, improving water availability for downstream capture/recharge and in-stream flow, with each acre cleared providing 20 acre-feet per year of water savings. The eradication will also reduce fire risks and promote the recovery of native vegetation and wildlife habitats.
-
Madera County Forage Crop Irrigation Project
Netafim Irrigation, Inc. is partnering with agricultural growers in Madera County, California, to transition 215 acres from flood to subsurface drip irrigation to address water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The new drip system will efficiently irrigate a crop rotation of tomatoes and wheat, replacing high water-use crops like cotton and wheat under less efficient flood irrigation. This project will significantly reduce groundwater withdrawals while improving water delivery precision. The shift aligns with sustainable agricultural practices, supporting both local ecosystems and the resilience of California’s critical agricultural sector amidst increasing climate variability.
-
Mountain Meadow Habitat Restoration
Plumas Corporation is restoring 441 acres of meadow habitat at Mountain Meadows Creek in California to improve hydrological and ecosystem functions. The project will reconnect the creek to its historic floodplain, reduce erosion, and enhance wetland habitat for migrating birds and gray wolves. It will also address forest health through fuel reduction, reforestation, and the removal of conifer encroachment, ensuring resilience to future wildfires. These efforts aim to restore the balance of water flow, vegetation, and wildlife habitat in the area.
-
Navajo Water Access Home Water System
The Navajo Nation spans over 27,000 square miles across Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Many Navajo residents live far from water lines, with 30% of homes lacking running water. Those without access often rely on hauled water from contaminated wells or expensive bottled water. Dilkon Chapter, in the southwestern part of the Navajo Nation, faces significant water access challenges, with 24% of residents living in homes without plumbing. DigDeep, the only non-governmental organization active in the area, is working to provide piped water connections for 50 homes.
-
Navajo Water Access Home Water System
The Navajo Nation covers over 27,000 square miles of land in the Four Corners region, in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Traditionally, Navajo (Diné) are semi-nomadic people, herding livestock and tending crops in the land between the Four Sacred Mountains. To this day, many Navajo live scattered across the Nation, miles from major water lines, making plumbing water to individual homes prohibitively expensive. Roughly 30% of homes in the Navajo Nation do not have running water. Residents without running water rely on water hauled over long distances, either drawn from potentially contaminated wells or expensive bottled water from grocery stores.
Dilkon Chapter is one of 27 chapters in the Fort Defiance Agency of the Navajo Nation. It is located in the southwestern part of the Navajo Nation, in Navajo County, AZ. The closest towns are Holbrook and Winslow, AZ, about 50 and 40 miles away, respectively. Census data indicates 24% of Dilkon chapter residents live in homes that lack complete plumbing facilities.1 According to preliminary research by the Navajo Water Project Director, there are at least 332 families in Dilkon chapter that do not have running water in their homes.
Currently, DigDeep is the only non-governmental entity actively working in the Dilkon area to install Home Water Systems, deliver water, and offer bill pay assistance and plumbing fixes at no cost. DigDeep is providing support for piped water connections to approximately 50 homes that are eligible for piped water supply and need help with the in-home plumbing, funding and/or required documentation.
-
North Eden Creek Flow and Fish Passage Restoration
Trout Unlimited is leading a project to restore stream flow and fish passage in Utah by reconnecting ten miles of North Eden Creek to Bear Lake, replacing an impassable road culvert, and drilling a new agricultural well to replace an irrigation diversion. The restoration will support spawning and rearing of migratory cutthroat trout, enhancing the Blue Ribbon Fishery and recreational use of Bear Lake. This innovative project, with broad community support, will provide significant ecological and economic benefits through improved water stewardship and habitat restoration.
-
North Fork Stillaguamish Floodplain Acquisitions Project
The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians plans to acquire and protect 100–150 acres of critical riparian and floodplain habitat along 2.7 miles of the North Fork Stillaguamish River. These properties, prioritized under the Stillaguamish Watershed’s Floodplain Acquisition Strategy, support key Chinook salmon spawning and rearing areas and will help connect previously protected lands. Focusing on properties between Cicero Bridge and Fortson, this effort advances the long-term goal of restoring a continuous habitat corridor from salmon spawning grounds to tidewater, strengthening the Stillaguamish Chinook Recovery Plan and recovering land back to the Stillaguamish tribe.
-
Quechan Tribe Water Delivery and Plant Nursery
The Quechan Tribe will use BEF funding to design, engineer, and construct a water delivery pipeline within the Bard Water District, near the California/Arizona border in Yuma, to address a bottleneck in the canal system. This improvement will enhance water access for Tribal farmers, supporting agricultural productivity and water management within the district.
-
Rancho Caleta Habitat Restoration
River Partners is restoring 56 acres at their Rancho Caleta site in the Sacramento River Valley to restore native habitat and retire riparian water rights, dedicating 168 acre-feet of water annually to environmental purposes. The restoration will include planting over 12,700 native plants and creating a 5-acre swale to support salmon migration. This landscape-scale effort will improve water quality, floodplain inundation, and habitat for endangered species, with long-term plans for public access and potential tribal collaboration on land management.
-
Reforestation of Previously Mined Lands
The Reforestation of Previously Mined Lands project, led by the Cumberland River Compact (CRC), aims to restore 50 acres of mined land within the Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest in Tennessee. The project will involve removing invasive species, “ripping” the compacted soil to improve water infiltration, and planting 35,000 native tree seedlings, including oaks and shortleaf pine, to enhance water absorption and cool nearby streams.
-
Rock Creek Longleaf Pine Restoration
Through the Texas Water Action Collaborative facilitated by Texan by Nature, we were matched with a Texas Longleaf Team project to restore 2,000 acres of longleaf pine forest in East Texas. Once spanning over 90 million acres in the southeastern U.S., including East Texas, longleaf pine forests have been drastically reduced by urbanization and land use changes. The native longleaf ecosystem is characterized by a rich grassland savannah underneath the towering pine trees, and research has shown that this ecosystem is more effective at capturing and filtering water than traditional production forestry. Partners at Stephen F. Austin State University and Raven Environmental Services are conducting environmental monitoring to demonstrate how healthy ecosystems improve water quantity for Texans. The project will remove noxious invasive shrubs and woody vegetation, replant 100,000 longleaf pine trees, and use prescribed burns to restore habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Ultimately, the benefits of this restoration will enhance the ecosystem’s resilience to drought, pests and diseases, severe weather, and wildfires.
-
Sacramento River Water Replenishment and Habitat Corridor Revitalization Project
This River Partners led project is expected to provide volumetric water benefits and a variety of co-benefits, including improved fish and wildlife habitat, reduced flood risk, and increased public access to nature for disadvantaged communities. The portfolio includes four floodplain restoration projects and six side channel restoration projects to collectively retire agricultural irrigation to conserve water and replenish freshwater ecosystems, enhance wildlife habitat that supports the potential downlisting of threatened or endangered species, and improve flood management.
-
Lytle Creek Nitrate Removal
Led by the Deschutes River Conservancy, this project supports the coordination of a water quality monitoring partnership as well the implementation of a water quality improvement project on Lytle Creek in Central Oregon. Coordination activities will include finalizing the Crooked River Water Quality Partnership Strategic Action Plan, establishing a governance framework for the Partnership, and producing reports documenting progress towards the Partnership’s goals.
-
Lower Colorado Resilience Project
This project, led by Restauremos El Colorado, Centro Luken, BlueCommons, and BEF, aims to reduce water use from the Colorado River in Mexico and help preserve storage levels in Lake Mead through farmer agreements on water leases in the Mexicali region of Mexico. Restauremos El Colorado has developed relationships with farmers in the Mexicali watershed, these farms will temporarily pause activities to decrease reliance on river water. The saved water will be used to lower Mexico’s withdrawals from Lake Mead, supporting conservation efforts and creating new storage reserves.
-
Green River Demand Management and Resilience Project
With this project, Trout Unlimited (TU) aims to enhance water supply for Colorado River reservoirs and promote climate resilience through nature-based solutions in the Green River, Wyoming. This project focuses on two key actions: implementing multi-year demand management agreements with local ranchers to conserve water and constructing Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) and other structures to restore hydrologic function, improve water infiltration, and enhance habitat. By reducing irrigation withdrawals and increasing stream flows, the project will support federal reservoirs and stabilize water supply for downstream communities, while also increasing resilience in Colorado River tributaries.
-
Green Streets Clean Streams II Metro Atlanta
Since 2020 Trees Atlanta has been working with communities to design install and maintain 22 stormwater tree planters (rain gardens) at 11 distinct residential locations in Fulton County targeting Proctor Creek and Utoy Creek watersheds.
These green infrastructure installations are not only capturing and managing stormwater runoff from the adjacent roadway, thereby influencing the quantity and quality of runoff that reaches waterways; they are also enhancing Atlanta’s urban canopy, reducing flooding, enhancing property values and making a significant difference in the lives of residents in underserved communities.
-
Guayule Drip Irrigation Efficiency Project
Tempe Farming Co. is converting 52 acres of farmland in Pinal County from furrow irrigation to a water-saving drip system, with 30 acres dedicated to growing guayule for Bridgestone Americas in 2024. This conversion supports Bridgestone’s efforts to expand guayule production, a water-efficient crop. The project will provide long-term water savings and help scale commercial production of guayule.
-
Haigler Forest Health Phase 1
In partnership with the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, this project seeks to improve Haigler Creek watershed, which ultimately flows into Roosevelt Lake in the Salt River watershed. Forest health is crucial to reducing fire risk by thinning vegetation and removing excess fuels. These efforts will help boost habitat quality, water yield, and protect water sources from the impacts of large wildfires.
The project area drains into the Salt River, which is the main water source for the Phoenix metro area, making these improvements critical for protecting local water supply.
-
Howard Coffin Park Living Shoreline Project
Georgia Conservancy will implement this living shoreline project to combat erosion along the tidal stream’s banks using bioengineered materials and native vegetation. By promoting oyster recruitment and natural stabilization, the project will restore ecological function while preserving the park’s recreational and community value. Additionally, it will protect a nearby water supply wellhouse from further erosion. As a recommended action in the Shoreline Protection Implementation Plan, the project aligns with the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative’s goal to expand living shorelines. Expected benefits include habitat restoration, improved water quality, community resilience, and educational outreach.
-
Hoxworth & Buck Springs Restoration Northern Rim Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon Trust is leading a restoration effort in two priority areas: the Lake Mary Watershed which supports key water resources, including supplies for Flagstaff communities, and the East Clear Creek Watershed on Arizona’s Mogollon Rim. These riparian areas are vulnerable to overuse, trampling from introduced animals, post-wildfire erosion, and other degradation.
In partnership with volunteers and Trust staff, construction of 19 Zuni bowls will address soil erosion and prevent further erosion upstream at 14 sites across three important wetlands. Zuni bowls are a riparian restoration tool that uses rock structures to fortify a waterway against harmful erosion that can damage streams and nearby ecosystem health. Habitat restoration in these areas will lay the groundwork for sustained, long-term restoration strategies. -
Icicle Creek Irrigation Efficiency Project
The Washington Water Trust is a key partner in this project which enhances instream flows and supports ecosystem restoration in Icicle Creek, a critical habitat for ESA-listed steelhead in Washington state. By permanently removing an upstream irrigation diversion, replacing it with a downstream diversion, and implementing efficiency upgrades, the project will significantly increase water flow to the creek. This initiative is part of the larger “Icicle Strategy,” aiming to meet flow targets, enhance habitat, and improve the reliability of agricultural and domestic water supplies. It also facilitates future projects, such as the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery upgrades, critical for sustaining tribal fisheries and restoring the watershed.
-
Infiltration Trenches in the Mystic River Watershed
We are partnering with the Mystic River Watershed Association to implement four stormwater infiltration trenches adjacent to roadside storm drains in the Mystic River watershed. The trenches are designed to capture the first flush of stormwater runoff which carries the majority of pollutants during a storm event, supporting the reduction of Phosphorus pollution, a known concern in the watershed. These trenches are part of a large-scale effort to implement over 200 infiltration trenches in the Mystic River Watershed which recharges the groundwater in our highly urbanized watershed and provides benefits to downstream communities and water users.
-
Innovative Cooling in Community Spaces
In partnership with Waterstart, this project funds a pilot program to deploy an evaporative cooling technology in public use facilities, starting with the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada. This the first project to qualify for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s wet-to-dry cooling incentive. If proven effective, there is potential to roll out this technology to other community facilities. It will also demonstrate the tangible benefits of innovative water conservation technologies and highlight the power of community partnerships in achieving conservation goals.
-
Jicarilla Apache Nation Water Sharing Agreement
The Jicarilla Apache Nation Indian Reservation is in north central New Mexico. The Jicarilla Apache Nation use their water rights for community drinking water supply, cultural practices, and economic development activities. The Jicarilla Apache Nation Water Sharing Agreement is a partnership between the Jicarilla Apache Nation, The Nature Conservancy, and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission that will allow the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to lease up to 20,000 acre-feet of water per year from the Jicarilla Apache Nation’s water right in the Navajo Reservoir. The leased water will be used in New Mexico’s Strategic Water Reserve to increase instream flows in the San Juan River. In return, the lease amount will support the tribe’s general budget, which can be used for education and healthcare.
-
Kapusta Island Habitat Restoration
Chico State Enterprises and the Sacramento River Forum are restoring habitat at Kapusta Island to support juvenile salmon. The project will create 2 acres of rearing habitat through the excavation of low and high flow side channels, while also enhancing 3 acres of spawning habitat. Monitoring and community engagement are key components of the project, which aims to aid salmon recovery in the Sacramento River.
-
Kern Plateau Meadows Restoration Project
The Kern Plateau Meadows Restoration Project aims to restore degraded meadow systems located in the headwaters of the Kern River and the Owens River in southern California. On the ground partners, Trout Unlimited, will utilize low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques to restore the meadows that have been degraded by erosion and overgrazing. These techniques rely on hand-built structures made from local natural material to support the natural processes that a healthy meadow system provides. The long-term goal of the project is to restore natural processes that shape the land – such as erosion, sedimentation, and the movement of soil and rocks – as well as those that move and distribute water in the environment, including rainfall, river flow, groundwater movement, and the interactions between water, soil, and plants. Additionally, the project will enhance biotic processes, which involve the activities of living organisms, including plant growth, animal interactions, and nutrient cycling.
-
Ladybug Project Forest Health
The Ladybug Forest Health Project, led by the National Forest Foundation (NFF), spans 2,500 acres in the Truckee Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest. Located near Stampede Reservoir, the project focuses on hazardous fuels reduction through forest thinning, biomass removal, and other treatments to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk. The project will improve water supply and quality by removing encroaching conifers, enhancing snowmelt infiltration, and restoring degraded roads in the Hoke Valley drainage. It is supported by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) and has catalyzed the Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership to address watershed restoration.
-
Laramie County Mariah Pasture Rehabilitation
The Laramie County Conservation District (LCCD), in collaboration with the City of Cheyenne, is restoring hydrologic and ecological function in Sand Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River. The project involves dredging a sediment-filled reservoir on city-owned land to restore its storage capacity for recreation, irrigation, and stock watering. Additionally, LCCD will install Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) along 1,800 feet of Sand Creek to improve floodplain connectivity, increase groundwater recharge, and enhance aquatic habitat. By addressing sediment buildup and stream channelization, the project aims to stabilize streambanks, support riparian vegetation, and provide long-term ecological benefits for water resources in southeastern Wyoming.
-
Leak Detection in Senior Housing Development Phoenix
In partnership with Pacific Institute, and the City of Phoenix, we are helping to install leak detection devices from Sensor Industries on toilets in low-income senior housing, enabling building management to quickly detect and repair toilet leaks in Phoenix, Arizona. The project is expected to save an estimated 2.3 million liters of water annually through leak detection and repair and it builds on successful leak detection pilots conducted in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities.
-
Longleaf Pine Brazos River Program Expansion
Texan by Nature (TxN) launched the Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC) to connect funders with conservation projects that benefit Texas’ water resources. After a successful pilot in the Trinity River Basin, funding from our partnership will support expansion into the Brazos River Basin. This effort will prioritize projects, engage diverse industries, and fund at least two new initiatives in its first year, amplifying conservation impact statewide.
-
Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Canal Lining
On their Tribal lands, the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) used geomembrane and concrete to line a segment of a canal measured to have the highest seepage rate on the CRIT Irrigation Project to reduce conveyance loss, more efficiently and reliably deliver water for irrigation, and reduce demand at the CRIT Point of Diversion on the Colorado River. Over time, the project, in combination with a larger suite of irrigation modernization and fallowing actions, will generate “conserved water” that could be used for a variety of purposes that will benefit the CRIT community.
-
Colorado River Indian Tribes Irrigation Modernization
Established in 1865, the Colorado River Indian Reservation was set aside for indigenous residents of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Today, the Reservation includes approximately 300,000 acres of lands and is primarily home to four distinct tribes – the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) have territory that stretches along 56 miles of lower Colorado River lands with the majority of their reservation located in Arizona.
Irrigation infrastructure on the CRIT lands are in a significant state of disrepair. The CRIT are implementing a number of projects to improve irrigation efficiency. These projects will increase resilience for tribal farm operations by maintaining irrigation for economic development; open the door for tribal water management that can support system conservation agreements to leave water in Lake Mead; open pathways to lease water to support non-tribal water uses in central Arizona; and create the potential to advance/expand environmental benefits on the CRIT reservation.
-
Crab Creek and Odessa Aquifer Agricultural Efficiency Program
To tackle falling water levels in the Odessa Aquifer, state, federal, and local partners have launched the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP). The plan aims to shift up to 87,000 acres of farmland from groundwater to more sustainable surface water from the Columbia River. With $48.5 million already secured, this effort will conserve about 55,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually, benefiting 25 mid-Columbia communities that rely on this vital resource. In addition, CBCD is helping farmers improve irrigation in the Odessa and Quincy areas by promoting efficient technologies like mobile drip irrigation (MDI). This system delivers water directly to plants, reducing waste from evaporation. Over the next five years, CBCD plans to upgrade up to 42 irrigation systems with MDI, partnering with local vendors to make it happen.
-
CRIT Irrigation System Modernization
Established in 1865, the Colorado River Indian Reservation was set aside for indigenous residents of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Today, the Reservation includes approximately 300,000 acres of lands and is primarily home to four distinct tribes – the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) have territory that stretches along 56 miles of lower Colorado River lands with the majority of their reservation located in Arizona.
In an addition to our 2022 CRIT Irrigation Modernization project, CRIT will expand in installing precision drip irrigation on CRIT agricultural lands. The drip irrigation will replace the current flood irrigation system for alfalfa and cotton production. Drip irrigation is an efficient irrigation method compared to conventional flood irrigation and is expected to reduce water withdrawn from the Colorado River for farming on CRIT lands by 25-50%. Additionally, the improved irrigation is expected to produce a 10% increase in crop yield.
-
Crow Creek Stream Restoration
The Laramie County Conservation District (LCCD) will implement a stream restoration project on Crow Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River in southeastern Wyoming. The project will install barbs, Post Assisted Log Structures (PALs), and Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) along a 2-mile stretch of the creek, aimed at improving floodplain connectivity and stream meander. These structures will enhance hydrologic and ecological function by raising the water table, increasing bank storage, and promoting riparian vegetation growth.
-
Denver Water Exchange Project Frasier River Tributaries
The Colorado Water Trust (CWT), in collaboration with other organizations, is implementing a water exchange project to restore flows to Fraser River tributaries. This innovative trade involves leasing water from Meadow Creek Reservoir and exchanging it with Denver Water for a reduced diversion from Fraser River tributaries. This coordinated effort restores critical habitat, improves water quality, and supports local water users and recreational economies in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The project aligns with the Colorado River Cooperative Agreement, balancing ecological restoration with water supply needs for Front Range communities.
-
Drip Irrigation Conversion Howell Farm
The Great Salt Lake has seen a significant decline in surface elevation, dropping over 11 feet due to water withdrawals from the three major rivers supplying it, which account for 45% of annual surface flows. Restoring the lake’s water levels is critical for wildlife habitat, preventing harmful dust storms, and maintaining regional precipitation patterns. In response, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) established the Agricultural Water Optimization Program (AWOP) to help farmers improve irrigation efficiency. With subsidiary drip irrigation (SDI), water loss due to evaporation can be nearly eliminated. Netafim and partners are supporting a Box Elder County alfalfa farm with 80 acres to implement SDI, aiming for water savings of 0.5 acre-feet per acre based on a 2021 study by Utah State University Extension.
-
Fairmead Groundwater Resiliency Project
The Fairmead Groundwater Resiliency Project aims to address critical water challenges faced by the Fairmead community, an unincorporated and historically underserved area in California’s Central Valley. This initiative, led by Faimead community members and supported by Sustainable Conservation, combines groundwater recharge, agricultural land repurposing, and strong community engagement to secure clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water for residents while building climate resilience. Building on the progress of Phase 1, which developed foundational studies and conceptual designs, Phase 2 will focus on finalizing project designs, engaging community members, and securing funding for implementation. This collaborative effort seeks to demonstrate how integrated solutions can address groundwater depletion, climate adaptation, and community health in vulnerable regions.
-
Francis Marion National Forest Longleaf Pine Restoration #2
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is bolstering Francis Marion National Forest (FMNF) US Forest Service efforts focusing on restoring fire-adapted longleaf pine ecosystems in South Carolina’s FMNF. By applying prescribed fires to 90,000 acres of land, the project aims to replace loblolly pine plantations with longleaf pine, enhancing habitat for endangered species and improving water conservation. This restoration will reduce water consumption, benefiting wetland water supply and groundwater infiltration. TNC’s efforts will support the goals of FMNF’s Forest Plan, contributing to the health and resilience of the forest over the next six years.
-
Gila River Indian Community Casa Blanca and San Tan Canal Feasibility Study
The Gila River Indian Community (known as the “Community”) proposes to undertake a project in response to the Community’s vision to become the first Native American irrigation project in the Nation to be carbon neutral and lead by example in meeting the challenges of the water and energy nexus in the southwestern United States. This project will include feasibility studies for two Canal Energy Systems (CES). One feasibility study will focus on the expansion of the current Casa Blanca Canal CES Project and the second feasibility study will focus on the development of the San Tan Canal CES Project. When completed, the two feasibility studies will support future CES project development, which will in tern reduce evaporative losses from the canal and would generate clean, renewable energy to benefit the Gila River Indian Community.
-
Gila River Indian Community Solar Over Canal
The Gila River Indian Community proposes to undertake a project in response to the Community’s vision to become the first Native American irrigation project in the Nation to be carbon neutral. This project will include the design, development and implementation of a Canal Energy System. A network of solar panels will span over the Casa Blanca Canal and will reduce evaporative losses from the canal while generating clean, renewable energy to benefit the Community.
-
Great Salt Lake Resilience & Agricultural Modernization Project
Trout Unlimited (TU) will lease at least 1500 acre-feet of senior agricultural water rights over a three-year period to improve habitat conditions in the Weber River and sustain the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The leased water will restore flows in the river and increase water inflow to the lake, while also supporting critical infrastructure upgrades at the Riverdale Bench irrigation diversion. These upgrades will enhance Bonneville cutthroat trout passage and bolster the sustainability of the local agricultural economy.
-
Great Salt Lake-Ogden Bay Wetland Enhancement
The Great Salt Lake Ogden Bay Water Transaction Project will facilitate a permanent acquisition of 110-acre feet of water rights to enhance freshwater inflows to Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area to benefit wetland habitat and Great Salt Lake water supply.
The project is a partnership between the Utah Division of Wildlife, Audubon, and The Nature Conservancy. The project links with and supports the newly chartered Great Salt Lake Watershed Trust’s overall mission and objectives of retaining and enhancing water flows to the Great Salt Lake as well as preserving hydrologic connections along the shores of the lake and preserving wetlands.
-
Dude Forest Health Project Phase 3
Salt River Project (SRP), in partnership with state, federal, local, NGO, and private entities, is implementing a forest restoration project in the Verde and Salt River watersheds in Arizona to mitigate wildfire risks and protect water infrastructure. Focused on the 2,338-acre Dude Phase 3 area, the project aims to address high-severity wildfire threats caused by dense undergrowth following the 1990 Dude Fire. Mechanical treatments will reduce overabundant shrubs and small trees while preserving large and riparian trees, restoring the forest to a fire-resilient state. This work will enhance forest health, improve water quality and flow, and support SRP’s ability to provide reliable water supplies to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
-
Caddo-LBJ Grasslands Habitat Restoration
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is facilitating the restoration of Cottonwood Creek Watershed on the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland in Wise County, Texas. The watershed spans 5,700 acres, including 4,000 acres of National Forest land and 1,700 acres of private land, with 29 miles of mapped streams. This project will be completed in phases, with phase 1 focusing on two stream reaches totaling 80 acres and 1.3 miles of primary stream channel. Restoration will bring stability to the ecosystem preserving it for future generations to reconnect with nature.
-
Alta Harris Side Channel Connection
Barber Dam is located on the Boise River, and acts as a barrier to migrating fish. In 2005, construction of a side channel was initiated to provide fish passage around Barber Dam and provide off-channel habitat. The side channel was connected to the Boise River downstream of Barber Dam but work to connect the side channel to the Boise River upstream of the dam was not completed. The channel’s potential connection to the Boise River is currently obstructed by the Barber Dam. Flow in the partially completed side channel is minimal and is due to springs and irrigation system overflow.
In partnership with Trout Unlimited, this project will complete the side channel connection with the main stem of the Boise River, to bypass Barber Dam. It improve habitat for native salmonids, and improve water quality and riparian conditions within the Boise River corridor.
-
Amana Academy Bioswale
Amana Academy serves nearly 800 students in grades K-8. The school focuses on project-based learning, design-thinking, and hands-on education, with an emphasis on outdoor learning. However, the large asphalt parking lot and outdated design presented safety challenges for students and families. After extensive planning with the City of Alpharetta and Goode Van Slyke Architects, the school decided to renovate the parking lot, incorporating green infrastructure like a bioswale to manage stormwater runoff. This environmentally friendly design will not only improve safety and aesthetics but also enhance the school’s STEM curriculum, offering students a real-world example of environmental stewardship.
-
Aquisense UV-LED Reactors
By working alongside Waterstart and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), this project funds a pilot program that makes drinking water from Las Vegas wells safer. The program leverages LED UV technology from the U.K. based company Aquisense that kills microbes at the wellhead, providing an additional treatment to protect the quality of groundwater, an issue for SNWA wells. Our hope is that this technology will be implemented in the future at state- and nationwide levels, providing additional storage and security in water-scarce regions.
-
Arapaho Ranch Forest Resilience
In partnership with the Boulder Watershed Collective, and Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), regional government agencies, and neighboring landowners, the project aims to manage 43 acres in Arapaho Forest, in the Colorado Rockies. The project will maintain an area that has a high potential for fire danger, in order to prevent a forest fire the area will thin out tree density. Thinning out tree density and overgrown underbrush will create a healthier and more diverse ecosystem. This work protects critical drinking water sources and is in an area particularly vulnerable to drought, wildfires, and land development.
-
Arkansas Mountain Fire Fuels Reduction
The Arkansas Mountain Fuels Reduction Project is a 92-acre forest restoration and wildfire mitigation initiative located in a dense mountain neighborhood west of Boulder, CO. Situated about two miles from the City of Boulder water treatment plant at Betasso Preserve, the project spans over 10 private properties and connects to a 300-acre fuels reduction effort completed by Boulder County in 2017 on Parks and Open Space lands.
-
Arundo Donax Removal in the Los Angeles Watershed Sepulveda and Porter Ranch
The Council for Watershed Health is implementing a project to remove Arundo donax, an invasive species severely impacting California’s waterways and biodiversity. Focused on the Los Angeles River basin, with targeted removal in Porter Ranch and Sepulveda Basin, the project will reduce excess evapotranspiration of water and mitigate downstream ecological damage. Removal methods include biomass removal and targeted herbicide application, followed by monitoring and passive revegetation to support native species recovery. This effort aligns with California’s 30×30 Conservation Plan and LA County’s Integrated Water Resources Management goals to enhance riparian habitats and protect threatened species.
-
Arundo Removal in the Los Angeles River Watershed Box Canyon and Chatsworth Nature Preserve
The Council for Watershed Health will remove 3.25 acres of Arundo donax from targeted stream sites within the Los Angeles River watershed, specifically in the West Valley areas of Box Canyon, Chatsworth Lake Manor, and Chatsworth Nature Preserve. This invasive species removal will help improve water availability, enhance habitat for native wildlife, and reduce fire risks by eliminating dense Arundo stands.
-
Arundo Removal in the Los Angeles Watershed Falls Creek
The Council for Watershed Health (CWH) is targeting the removal of Arundo donax, a high-water use invasive plant, in the Falls Creek area of the Devil’s Canyon subwatershed to conserve water and restore native habitat. By removing 2.4 acres of Arundo, the project will save 48 acre-feet of water annually and prevent further expansion downstream into the Los Angeles River. This effort will improve water availability, reduce fire risks, and support the re-establishment of native vegetation, enhancing both water quality and habitat for local wildlife.
-
Bear River Canal Company Measurement and Telemetry Project Phase 1
The Bear River Canal Company (BRCC) is implementing the Measurement and Telemetry Project to install flume gates, slip meters, and telemetry equipment at 14 canal sites in Box Elder County, Utah. This project aims to improve irrigation efficiency by automating water flow monitoring and reducing manual adjustments, which currently result in significant water loss due to over-allocation and spills. The project will benefit local environmental interests, including the Bear River Bird Refuge and recreational duck clubs, by optimizing water distribution, reducing contamination, and improving water quality. This will also enhance water management, providing more efficient use of water resources across BRCC’s 126 miles of canals.
-
Black River Aquatic Restoration & Thompson Meadow Restoration
Located northeast of Phoenix and 25 miles west of Alpine, the West Fork Black River drains White Mountain, runs right through Thompson-Burro Meadow, and is a major tributary of the Black River. The Black River watershed is part of the largest, contiguous Ponderosa Pine Forest in the United States. It is a crucial headwater source of water supply to the Salt River, a significant water source for Phoenix Valley.
The Thompson-Burro Meadow Restoration is currently being planned and designed through a collaborative grant funded by Bureau of Reclamation. The project is part of a larger, multifaceted forest management plan for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest that was addressed by a recent U.S. Forest Service NEPA process.
The Black River Aquatic Restoration Project presents a suite of integrated ecological restoration activities designed to reduce fire related risks and restore ecological resilience that will benefit fish and wildlife and improve water security. The project is innovative, comprehensive in scope, and collectively applies forest health and meadow restoration activities, such as thinning, riparian exclusion fencing, tree planting, barrier removal, and construction of process-based restoration structures to improve wetland and hydrologic function. The project’s climate resilience solutions are proactive and forward-looking: restoring natural systems and processes in this location will demonstrate ways to solve risk and water resilience issues in Arizona.
-
Blacksmith Fork Fish Passage and Flow Restoration
This project aims to reconnect fish passage on approximately 25 miles of the Blacksmith Fork River, from its confluence with the Lower Logan River upstream to the Blue Ribbon Fishery in the canyon. The project addresses long-standing challenges at two irrigation diversions, improving both fish passage and water flow. Key actions include rebuilding diversion structures, restoring 1,500 feet of river channel and riparian habitat, and leasing water to enhance flow downstream. The project will eliminate dangerous conditions at the Nibley diversion and provide long-term ecological and recreational benefits. A diverse partnership, led by Trout Unlimited and including canal companies, local agencies, and landowners, is driving this innovative restoration effort.
-
Carmichael Water District La Sierra ASR Well Rehabilitation Project
The Carmichael Water District aims to equip a new well with aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) capability to enhance groundwater sustainability. Completed in 2023, the well will store treated drinking water during wet periods, helping to recharge the aquifer and provide a reliable water supply during dry years. This project will improve water supply reliability for over half a million residents in the Sacramento region, reduce emergency response impacts, and support the health of the American River ecosystem, benefiting the larger Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin.
-
Chattahoochee RiverLands Gateway Park
The Trust for Public Land and partners, Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Trust for Public Land (TPL), Cobb County, and the City of Atlanta designed and constructed 100 miles of RiverLands trails, pedestrian parks, trailheads, and kayak launches along the Chattahoochee RiverLands. Our support of the project will add 3-miles of the greenway that will link metro Atlanta to RiverLands spaces. This project is a delicate balance of activation and conservation, the RiverLands seeks to introduce the metro-Atlanta region to its greatest ecological asset, the Chattahoochee River. The park’s construction will include wetland restoration, capturing water from neighboring industrial complexes, removing invasive species, and restoring woodlands, grasslands, and the riparian corridor for improved wildlife habitat.
-
Collin County Agricultural Best Management Practices
The Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is supporting farmers in adopting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff into Lavon Lake, a vital water source for North Texas. These practices, such as cover crops and no-till farming, are designed to lower bacteria, nutrient, and sediment levels in the watershed. Funding enables the SWCD to provide financial incentives and technical assistance, driving voluntary efforts to improve water quality and protect this critical resource.
-
Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project
Ackerson Meadow is part of the largest mid-elevation meadow complex in Yosemite National Park, California. It is one of the largest mid-elevation montane meadows in public ownership in the Sierra Nevada and a critical biodiversity hotspot and wildlife corridor. Due to over a century of landscape manipulation, including domestic water diversion, farming, ranching, and timber harvest, wetlands within Ackerson Meadow have been lost and are continuing to be threatened.
In partnership with American Rivers, The restoration will re-establish the natural connection between the stream channel and the floodplain by slowing down the flow of water and spreading it out onto the floodplain surface and encouraging sediment deposition. The project is the largest ‘full fill’ meadow restoration attempted in the Sierra Nevada to date, with the promise of restoring biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem of the Sierra Nevada.