NWNL MISSION

No Water No Life combines the powers of photography, scientific research and stakeholder knowledge to expand awareness of the importance of our freshwater supplies, watershed degradation and sustainable natural resource management solutions. As a long-term and globally focused project, No Water No Life’s goals are to:

      • Document the availability, usage and quality of our freshwater resources,
      • Educate stakeholders through publications, lectures, exhibits and other means.
      • Foster partnerships within and across geo-political and watershed boundaries.

NWNL GOALS & WATERSHED METHODOLOGY

NWNL chose six watersheds to convey and cover today’s global freshwater concerns. Our methodology involves research, expeditions and in-depth interviews with scientists, stewards and stakeholders.

IN NORTHEAST AFRICA

The Nile, Omo and Mara River Basins

IN NORTH AMERICA

The Columbia, Mississippi and Raritan River Basins

Asset 7 Omo River Basin Nile River Basin Mara River Basin
Asset 8 Raritan River Basin Mississippi River Basin Columbia River Basin

NWNL Watershed Issues

 

 

Values
Fresh Water and its Ecosystems

Threats
Watershed Degradation & Consequences

Sustainability
Watershed Management Solutions

 

The six NWNL case study watersheds and four spotlights (Kenya’s Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, California Megadrought, Northern India and Ancient Rome) offer contrasts and comparisons regarding their values and services, as well as the impacts of the extraction of natural resources, pollution, habitat degradation/loss, climate change, infrastructure and development, and other threats.

Using extensive research and hundreds of interviews with scientists, stewards and watershed stakeholders, NWNL shares sustainable solutions in developed and developing regions that promote greater water-use efficiency, environmental restoration, transboundary agreements, community-based conservation and watershed education

 

Issues NWNL Considered in Choosing Its Case Study Watersheds

NORTHEAST AFRICA RIVER BASINS

NORTHEAST AFRICA RIVER BASINS   

Nile

Transboundary Conflicts

Ancient Water Use & Needs

Irrigation needs/flooding

Omo

Indigenous cultures

New hydro-dams

Endorheic (no exit to oceans)

Mara

Biodiversity need for water

Headwaters Deforestation

Population Growth leading to dams & rapid development

NORTH AMERICA RIVER BASINS

NORTH AMERICA RIVER BASINS   

Columbia

Transboundary Hydro-Dams

Native Americans/First Nations
Irrigation needs/flooding

Mississippi

Agriculture & its pollution

Levees & loss of flood plains
Degradation of its Delta

Raritan

Upper/Lower Basin disconnect

Legacy of industrial pollution

Urban storm-sewage overflows

NWNL Unit of Study = The Entire Watershed


NWNL expeditions investigate rivers, tributaries, estuaries and springs.  We cross floodplains, forests, deserts and wetlands. Our trips have produced over 120,000 photographs and extensive video footage. We have over 900 “Voices of the River” (in-depth interviews of scientists, stewards and stakeholders).  Their insights and vision form a unique archive of historic, current and yet-to-come challenges and solutions for protecting our water resources.

NWNL has carried Expedition Flags from The Explorers Club and WINGS WorldQuest. Funding has come from grants, foundations, private contributions and generous in-kind donations. The NWNL fiscal sponsor is iLCP/International League of Conservation Photographers, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

iLCP Video on the Values of Conservation Photography