Revitalize watersheds through
Reforestation
From forests to urban areas, watersheds are threaded through the landscapes we depend on. They are areas of land that drain precipitation, such as rain or snow, into a connected water body — which might be a river, lake, or ocean. These areas play a critical ecological role as they collect, store, and transport water, shaping the surrounding landscape and influencing the quality of water resources downstream.
Watersheds are impacted by a range of factors, including stormwater runoff, deforestation, dams and other infrastructure, human development, air pollution, industrial pollutants and spills, household pollutants, and agricultural runoff. When a watershed is unhealthy, everything that lives in or depends on it is impacted. Erosion and flooding increase, fish populations dwindle, water quality is degraded, toxins accumulate in seafood, making it unsafe to eat, and more.
Watersheds Stats
20%
OF POPULATION
Nearly 20% of the world's population will be at risk of experiencing floods by 2050.
1 in 9
people
Globally, 1 in 9 people get their drinking water from unimproved and unsafe sources.
2.3B
"Water-stressed"
2.3 billion people live in “water-stressed” countries — including 721 million in areas where the water situation is “critical”.
1 in 5
River basins
1/5th of river basins on Earth are experiencing dramatic fluctuations in water availability.
40%
water bodies polluted
Of 75,000 bodies of water surveyed in 89 countries, over 40% were severely polluted.
Project Highlights
Protecting and restoring watersheds around the world is critical to safeguarding the wildlife and communities that depend on them (hint: that's all of us!). Strategically planting trees within watersheds can help improve water quality, reduce erosion, restore habitats, and enhance ecosystem health. Learn about three recent reforestation projects that planted trees along watersheds.
Sorsogon Biodiversity & Watershed Restoration, Philippines
This project planted trees to establish biodiversity habitat and promote the growth of diverse species of plants, including ferns, orchids, rattan, and ginger. As the trees grow, they will prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure in an area that has experienced significant erosion. This will increase healthy water flows, rehabilitate streams, and prevent flooding by intercepting rainfall and reducing the intensity of surface runoff — preventing natural disasters downstream.
Restoring Watersheds & Agroforestry, Dominican Republic
The Artibonite watershed impacts water supplies in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Artibonite River flows through Caña and into Haiti’s only major reservoir, which provides water and irrigation for more than 3.5 million people. As the trees are planted, soil and water tables will stabilize, which will help reduce the risk of flooding and improve land downstream.
Watershed management in the state of Veracruz, Mexico
This project will have a powerful impact on the region, both at the environmental and socio-economic level. At an environmental level, it will help improve air quality, the water cycle, and biodiversity, providing shelter for wildlife and contributing to the fight against climate change. At the socio-economic level, the project will support local communities by providing employment in tree nursery production, nutritious food, and resources for income generation through the sale of wood and fruit.