Protecting River Systems and Wildlife through Conservation

Around the world, the effects of human activity on rivers are evident. Erosion, sedimentation, and contamination seriously endanger the ability of freshwater systems to support wildlife, aquatic life, and people. Ultimately, we are all dependent upon healthy rivers and streams.

The Monsanto Fund is working with the Nature Conservancy to restore river habitats and encourage water conservation. Through the organization's River by River program, we have helped to protect several river systems in the United States. Conservation work on these rivers has focused on environmentally friendly farming and land management practices, erosion control, reforesting buffer zones, and wetland restoration.

The Tippecanoe River in northern Indiana is but one example of the Nature Conservancy's priority areas. This river supports one of the most diverse communities of aquatic life in the United States, including many endangered species. Through this project, the team has restored riverbank forests and wetlands, educated farmers on conservation practices (resulting in 7,500 acres of farmland being converted to conservation tillage) and implemented federal conservation programs. "A no-till cornfield in northern Indiana may seem like a minor thing, but 87 percent of the Tippecanoe watershed is agriculture," said Kent Wamsley, field representative for the Nature Conservancy. "Conservation agriculture is essential for the protection of both water quality and life."

Significant improvement has been made to water quality and wildlife habitat on the Tippecanoe and other river systems. The projects also help educate the local community and the public at large about how to be good stewards of rivers. The goal is a heightened public appreciation for the value of wildlife habitats.

$1.1m
The Monsanto Fund paid a grant of $1.145 million over three years to the Nature Conservancy for its river restoration program.