Stories
Forests Protect Our Waterways
Healthy waterways are at the heart of thriving landscapes, and as a landowner, you play a crucial role in keeping these waterways clean and vibrant. Streams and rivers do more than carry water; they nourish crops, support livestock and wildlife, and help maintain the health of our communities. One of nature's most effective guardians of these waterways is the riparian buffer—a belt of trees, shrubs, and grasses alongside rivers and streams. These forested buffers are powerful natural solutions that filter pollution, stabilize stream banks, and provide vital habitats for many species—all while adding value to your land.
A New Partnership between the ACF and SARP
The Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) and the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) are excited to announce a new partnership to enhance aquatic habitat connectivity on private lands across the Southeast. This collaboration leverages the unique strengths of both organizations to address barriers that obstruct aquatic organisms from accessing critical habitats.
The Southeast is Perfect for the Aquatic Connectivity Framework
The Southeastern United States is an absolute gem in terms of freshwater diversity. The rivers and streams here are bursting with life, making this region one of the country's most biodiverse places for freshwater species. The Southeast is home to around 600 freshwater fish species, 500 of which are endemic. This region is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity, making the Aquatic Connectivity Framework (ACF) an excellent fit for the Southeast. We aim to protect and restore these incredible aquatic habitats through a landscape-scale Working Lands for Wildlife approach.
Addressing Sedimentation Threats
Rivers and streams are the lifeblood of our environment, home to a stunning array of wildlife, from fish and amphibians to the aquatic insects that form the foundation of the food chain. However, these ecosystems are under growing threat from sedimentation and siltation. When excess soil and fine particles wash into waterways, they cloud the water, smother habitats, and disrupt the delicate balance that sustains aquatic life. The consequences ripple throughout the food chain, from the tiniest insects to the largest fish, threatening sensitive species like the Eastern hellbender and endangering fisheries.
