Environment
The foundation believes that when people take care of nature, nature takes care of people. That’s why we’re investing in projects that use the power of nature to improve water outcomes for people and ecosystems alike.
Our Environment Program focuses on work that builds lasting capacity and attracts public and private investments that help natural solutions take root across the systems that shape how land and water are managed.
We focus on water because that’s where climate change is felt most directly – through drought, wildfire, flooding and declining ocean health. Healthy wetlands, coastal habitats and headwater forests, alongside climate-resilient fish populations and improved farming practices, protect communities, support economies and build long-term resilience. By improving water outcomes, we can lift up nature and the people who rely on it.
Our goal is to back ideas that can grow beyond individual projects and help reshape systems so those ideas can grow successfully and sustainably.
Our work creates the conditions that allow nature to thrive — now and for future generations. We work to align policy, legal protections, financing and markets to advance nature-positive solutions for rivers, oceans and land.
Drive Innovation
We invest in scalable, nature-based solutions and work on the ground to remove barriers and strengthen community champions.
Advance Accountable Markets
We push past voluntary commitments to ensure accountability across value chains.
Modernize Legal Protections
We establish new models for stronger legal protections for rivers and oceans.
Align Policy for Impact
We work to support long-term environmental and economic resilience through durable policy and funding solutions.
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April 16, 2025In southern Arizona, the Cocopah Indian Tribe is reconnecting with its roots by bringing neglected stretches of the river’s floodplain back to life -
July 16, 2025In the Quad Cities, C-RAC is bringing local community advocates together for lasting solutions
Time and again, polling on climate change shows us what we already know from experience – water brings people together.
- 95% of Americans say that protecting the water in our nation’s lakes, streams and rivers is important.
- 84% believe protecting the health of our water is essential to address climate change.
- 3 in 5 voters say drought, increased temperatures, wildfires, extreme weather and flooding are a product of climate change’s effect on water.
- 3 in 4 adults are concerned about having access to safe drinking water over the next 10 years.
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November 11, 2025Conservation easements in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley are helping landowners like Peyton Daniel preserve a way of life while returning unproductive land to its natural state -
December 12, 2025By working with nature, communities across the country are improving water quality and rebuilding critical habitat -
March 10, 2025Could the world’s second largest rodent really be one of our greatest partners in climate resilience? Emily Fairfax says the answer is emphatically yes
