America’s waters are the lifeblood of our nation. The rivers, streams, lakes, aquifers, springs, and wetlands that course through our landscape support countless species of fish, mussels, salamanders, turtles as well as most species on land and in the sky. People also need healthy waterways, as water underpins every element of our way of life--from drinking water to recreation, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Unfortunately, run-off pollution and extreme weather driven by climate change are growing threats to our waters, harming their ability to support people and wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation works to protect and restore our nation’s waters for future generations.
Protecting Our Water Resources
Clean water is the lifeblood of healthy ecosystems and healthy communities, from headwaters to the sea. The health of our coastal estuaries, rivers, streams, bays, wetlands, and lakes are intrinsically linked to the strength of the Clean Water Act, one of our nation’s most foundational environmental laws. The National Wildlife Federation works with our affiliates and other partners to defend the Clean Water Act and shape other policies that affect America’s waters on the federal, state and local level to protect and restore clean water, floodplains, coasts, and wetlands.
We engage with Congress on a wide range of federal legislation -- from annual budgets, the Farm Bill, infrastructure spending, the Water Resources Development Act and funding for programs outlined by the Clean Water Act and Safe Water Drinking Act. We work with federal agencies to enforce and strengthen existing laws and to equitably expand access to federal resources in communities struggling to meet clean water needs. When necessary, we take legal action to protect our waters from harm.
In our work, we strive to lift up partners from underrepresented communities, because all too often, the same policies that harm our nation’s wildlife and water resources also disproportionately harm frontline communities.
The National Wildlife Federation seeks to support efforts to:
- Restore key aquatic habitats for wildlife, such as Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, the Everglades and the Prairie Potholes
- Ensure that wetlands and streams nationwide remain protected by the Clean Water Act
- Encourage the use of natural habitats as such wetlands, grasslands, oyster reefs, sand dunes, and forests in water infrastructure projects that aim to reduce flooding, protect drinking water supplies or treat wastewater
- Support programs that allow farmers, ranchers and other landowners to protect water quality by protecting and restoring habitats on their lands
- Ensure that all communities have clean sources of drinking water and 21st century wastewater treatment facilities.
- Connect riparian corridors -- as these are essential pathways for wildlife.
- Ensure that projects such as dams, pipelines or mines that are funded or permitted by the federal government do not cause unnecessary harm to our nation’s waters
Our nation’s water quality has improved dramatically since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. Unfortunately, elements of this landmark legislation are under threat. Specifically, there are ongoing efforts at both the state and federal levels to remove federal protections from roughly half of our nation’s wetlands and streams and to short-circuit the scientific review of projects that can harm our waters. The National Wildlife Federation defends the Clean Water Act in Congress and in the courts.
Restoring America's Great Waters
Across the United States, large aquatic ecosystems with particular value to fish and wildlife face significant ecological threats. The Everglades, Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Mississippi River Delta, Gulf of Mexico, and other major water resource areas—what we think of as the nation’s Great Waters—have become degraded over the years by pollution, changes to way water flows in the system, the destruction of wetlands, and more. The Federation plays a leadership role in many coalitions dedicated to the protection of these special places. Our strategies include securing funds, advocating for supportive policies, and developing on-the-ground projects to restore these waters for people and wildlife.
Learn more about national and regional water coalitions here.
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