Water

We protect water resources for birds and people.

Audubon’s Water strategy focuses on ensuring clean and abundant water in rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, and marshes in landscapes where this is paramount to birds’ survival. Audubon connects science, policy, and advocacy to provide measurable and scalable impact.

On the ground, Audubon helps restore freshwater wetlands, riparian areas, and land around the saline lakes of the Intermountain West, and works with federal and local officials to secure funding to keep these vital areas protected and productive.

 

Audubon's Work on Water Issues

Western Water News

Water Policy Council Recommends Improvements to Arizona's Groundwater Management

By Haley Paul
November 29, 2023 — Water Policy Council delivers recommendations to Governor Hobbs
A Ridgway’s Rail swims in a wetland, reeds and tall grass reflected in the water.
Western Water News

Cocopah Indian Tribe Secures $5.5 Million for Habitat Restoration in the Colorado River Delta

By Julia Morton
November 15, 2023 — Audubon partners with Cocopah Tribe to bring more resources to key riparian area.
Groundwater in Coconino County event in Flagstaff
Western Water News

Groundwater in Coconino County

By Erika Flores
October 27, 2023 — Event in Flagstaff highlights importance of Arizona’s groundwater and discussed ways to manage and protect it.
A group of phalaropes swim in a lake with out of focus mountains in the distance.
Western Water News

Wilson’s Phalaropes and their Journey from Canada to Argentina

By Emily Hamel
September 25, 2023 — Key stopovers at Great Salt Lake and Mono Lake allow for 10000 mile migrations.
Western Water News

Horseshoe Reservoir: An Opportunity to Restore 

By Elija Flores
September 25, 2023 — Audubon StoryMap explores riverside habitat rehabilitation options within footprint of reservoir on the Verde River 

Great Lakes

Audubon is creating a cohesive strategy across the region to address these threats to the birds of the Great Lakes. With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline in Michigan alone, the greatest conservation opportunity is the active restoration and protection of coastal habitats. By analyzing historical data, modeling bird populations, and engaging our chapters and members, Audubon will map out a detailed plan for how to best conserve indispensable coastal areas. Focused restoration and habitat management is essential to protect and recover ecological systems that support bird species. Active stewardship of habitats by Great Lakes Audubon chapters will play a key role in sustaining the health of these areas over time.

Water

Audubon's Great Lakes Strategy

Read more about our Great Lakes strategy and how we are protecting the largest freshwater lakes in North America.
News

Audubon Announces Plan to Restore the Great Lakes for Birds and People

Largest freshwater coastal wetland restoration effort to stabilize declining bird populations and improve water quality
News

Success! Piping Plovers Nested in Pennsylvania for the First Time in 60 Years

The two nests were the result of years of conservation work along the shores of Lake Erie by Audubon Pennsylvania and its partners.
News

Dramatic Swings in Great Lakes Water Levels Make Life Tough for Birds

On Wisconsin's Cat Islands and around the region, wildlife managers are working to create avian safe harbors from the climate-fueled fluctuations.

Water in the Arid West

Precipitous declines in Western water quantity and quality risk the economic and environmental health and vitality of America’s West—putting communities and birds in jeopardy. Audubon continues to advocate for healthy rivers and lakes, as well as the wildlife, habitats, and people who depend on them.

Water

Audubon's Western Water Initiative

Read more about how Audubon works with conservation partners and others to ensure a secure water future for birds and people.
Audubon in Action

The Fate of the Salton Sea Is in Our Hands

Now that Prop 68 has passed, the Salton Sea gets $200 million to help safeguard the health of people and birds. But that’s just the first step.
News

From Toxic Dustbowl to Vital Bird Sanctuary

Can the lessons learned from restoring California's Owens Lake help save other saline lakes?
Summer Tanager. Becky Matsubara/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Western Water News

Planting along the Colorado River with the Cocopah Indian Tribe and Yuma Audubon

Collaborative Restoration in the time of COVID-19

The Everglades

Audubon has worked for over a century to protect and restore America's Everglades. Our science and policy staff works throughout the ecosystem to ensure that sound science underpins plans for restoration and that projects stay focused on increasing target bird populations as a measure of success.

Water

Audubon's Work in the Everglades

Read more about how Audubon works with conservation partners to restore Florida's Everglades.
News

Last Year’s Everglades Breeding Bonanza Was the Biggest in More Than 80 Years

An official report says that South Florida's wading birds had an even better 2018 than we thought.
Audubon in Action

A Unified Voice Advocates for the Everglades in Tallahassee

At Everglades Action Day, advocates work together towards a common goal: full restoration of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.
Press Room

Congress Approves Critical Water Projects: Natural Infrastructure and Everglades

Bill Provides Important Wins for Birds, People and Ecosystems Nationwide. “More cement isn’t the answer.”

Delaware River Watershed

Covering 13,500 square miles and four states—Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware—the Delaware River Watershed is a diverse landscape of more than 35 ecological systems and 185 natural communities. It provides important year-round habitats and critical migratory stopovers for approximately 400 bird species.

Water

Audubon's Delaware River Watershed Program

Learn more about how Audubon works to protect the watershed that provides drinking water to millions of people in four states.
Red Knots.
Delaware River Watershed

Audubon Pennsylvania Supports Increased Funding for the Delaware River Watershed

The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program was created by federal legislation in 2016. This innovative program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife...
Delaware River Watershed

Audubon Applauds U.S. Congress for $9.7 Million of Funding for Delaware River Watershed Restoration

Funding for the protection, restoration and healthy growth of the nationally significant watershed helps birds, people and local economies.
Delaware River Watershed

Audubon Finds Unified Voice for Clean Water in Brewers for the Delaware River

Brewers depend on clean, reliable water to survive and thrive, just like birds.