New local resource for water security and sourcewater protection

I have the great privilege of serving on the board of a premier land and water conservation organization called Clearwater Conservancy.

At our board meeting this morning, we heard about this really cool new resource: the Spring Creek Watershed Atlas. I don't know to what extent other watersheds around the world have such a resource.

As Capetown, South Africa runs out of water and places like Israel and California find creative ways of living on little water, the world becomes aware of the fragility of this resource. Remember that 70 percent of the planet is water but only 1 percent is freshwater and most of that is snow and ice (think: glaciers and snowfields). So only 0.007 percent of the world's water is available to 7 billion, then 8 billion, perhaps 9 or 10 billion people by centuries end.

Here's a short back story and description (from the website):

"This Atlas Project is a public outreach and educational service of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission.

The Spring Creek Watershed Atlas began in 2015 thanks to the vision of Barbara Fisher and the initiative of a workgroup of volunteers including Barbara and Bob Donaldson, Bob Carline, Bob Eberhart, Todd Giddings, Bill Sharp, Bob Vierck, Betsie Blumberg, Paul Bartley, Michele Halsell and Judi Sittler.

The human population and consequent development in the Spring Creek watershed has been steadily growing. From 2000 to 2010 the population in Centre County increased by 13.4%, and there is no reason to assume that this growth rate will precipitously decline in the near future. This continued development will result in conversion of agricultural and forestland to urban infrastructure.

As this conversion proceeds, we will be faced with a strain on the quality and quantity of water resources, a loss in natural areas and sensitive plant and animal habitats, a reduction in recreational opportunities, and a general decline in the quality of life that we now enjoy. Threats to our water resources are of particular concern, because our drinking water supply is tightly coupled with the quantity and quality of groundwater. Decisions that are made today will have profound effects on our natural resources far into the future. Therefore, it is imperative that we have an informed citizenry making these critical decisions."

Check it out. And if you want to do something similar where you drink and bath and shower....let me know and I can connect you with the people behind it.