Texas is at a crossroads with a rapidly growing population and extremities in climate, challenging TNC to balance the needs of both nature and people.
With these two evolving spheres of people and climate, managing freshwater is at the forefront of TNC’s strategy in Texas. Specifically, our freshwater conservation approach is composed of three main strategy areas: Water Management and Policy, Market-Based Solutions, and Conservation of Healthy Lands and Waters.
Texas is entering into a period of unprecedented population growth during a time of increasing climate variability—with more extreme drought and flooding events. These shifts in climate and population are a harbinger of the complex challenges Texans will face in the management of scarce freshwater resources under increased pressure and uncertainty. Water scarcity, where water demands outpace existing supplies, is already occurring across most of our state creating conflict between users. The result has been aquifer depletions and river flow reductions that are the leading cause of freshwater species imperilment and increasing stress on water supplies. Restoring and protecting our freshwater systems under these critical conservation threats will require new and innovative changes in the way Texas manages our resources, and it is essential that these management strategies consider and address the balance of water needed for both people and nature.
The Nature Conservancy is leading in the development and implementation of novel and adaptable strategies to address the threat of increasing water scarcity and related freshwater conservation issues across Texas. The overall goal of these efforts is to reduce the frequency of river and aquifer depletions and protect and restore unique surface and groundwater dependent ecosystems. These developing conservation strategies build upon the chapter’s foundation of land and water protection efforts, landowner partnerships, and leverage our network of preserves for their contribution to priority conservation strategies.
Goals and Objectives
Our work to conserve Texas aquifers for nature and people is focused on these specific objectives.
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Use our preserves and landscape projects that conserve critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems to address critical science needs and build partnerships with landowners, water users, and water managers to strengthen the use of best practices for groundwater management at the local, regional and state levels.
MORE TO COME ON TEXAS'S TOOLS, REPORTS AND LITERATURE.
Texas Groundwater Resources
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Edwards Aquifer Protection Website
TNC has helped protect more than 96,000 acres of land above the Edwards Aquifer, one of the most important water resources in Texas. Learn more here
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Diamond Y Spring Preserve Website
The Diamond Y Spring Preserve protects one of the largest cienega systems in West Texas. Learn more here
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Sandia Springs Preserve Website
This spring complex contributes to one of the largest and most important of the remaining desert spring systems in Texas. Learn more here
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Texas Water Program Website
Water is the lifeblood of the State of Texas and The Nature Conservancy has worked to protect and preserve the state's freshwater ecosystems and water resources over many decades. Learn more here
If you have questions or comments about anything you see here on the Groundwater Resource Hub, please send an email to gwrhubcontactus@tnc.org, or contact any of our staff listed below.
To connect with TNC Texas, please reach out to:
Ryan Smith
Director of Water and Science
ryan_smith@tnc.org
Kyle Garmany
Water & Agriculture Program Director
kyle.garmany@tnc.org