The Santa Clara River watershed supports many rare natural communities and special-status species which depend on the waters and ecosystems of the river. It is currently facing challenges, including the widespread invasion by giant reed, which displaces native vegetation and wildlife, exacerbates erosion and flooding, promotes wildfire, and consumes excessive amounts of water. This project will focus on removing all giant reed across 10.2 acres of wetland habitat. Project implementing partners will then plant at least 4,000 native species to restore the land and support local biodiversity.
Project Partner: The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
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High Andes Weltand Regeneration
We partnered with The Nature Conservancy Chile on a project that seeks to study wetlands across the High Andes with the goals of deepening local (and global) understanding of water quality, ground water storage, and agricultural best practices that can positively impact the ecosystem. The hope of the project is to leverage the understanding of the Andean Wetlands to develop a National protected status for the region. This is the 3rd year of the project conducting restoration efforts on 70 hectares of land, limiting livestock grazing in 4 protected areas (Langosta, Cruz de Piedra, Lagares, and Aparejo). Biodiversity has increased in several areas, and in 2024 a new plant species of viola has been discovered in the andean wetlands!
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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.
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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.
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Big Meadow Bog Restoration Project
Brier Island, at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, is rich in unique biodiversity including being home to the eastern mountain avens, an endangered plant found only in two locations globally. It’s core habitat, Big Meadow Bog, was compromised by water ditching in the 1950s, disturbing eastern mountain aven habitat.
A partnership of conservation organizations, including Nature Conservancy of Canada, has undertaken restoration work in the bog where eastern mountain avens is most populous and faces the greatest threats from habitat loss. The project vision of the partnership is that “…the Big Meadow Bog wetland ecosystem is restored, leading to the recovery of sustainable populations of Geum peckii (mountain avens).” This two year project is aimed at recovery efforts for the endangered eastern mountain avens: eliminating threats, monitoring water quality and quantity in the bog, and mechanically assisting avens germination and survival.