Preserving the Incredible Wildlife of the Colorado River Basin
From amazing mammals to migratory birds to fish species found nowhere else on Earth, the vast array of wildlife in the Colorado River Basin represents the wonders of the West.
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Celebrating the Colorado River
The Colorado River is one of the hardest working rivers in the West. The Nature Conservancy is working hard across the entire Colorado River Basin to protect this amazing river and resource.
Grand Canyon North Rim
Toroweap Point above the Colorado River on the Grand Canyon's North Rim.
© Stephen Alvarez/National Geographic Image Collection
Maybell Irrigation Project
Yampa River
TNC and partners completed a $6.8m project aimed to ensure irrigators have water for their livelihoods, protect riparian habitat for fish and improve recreational access.
Water Security for Arizonans
Verde River & beyond
Beyond Arizona’s vast deserts are a rich network of rivers, tributaries and streams that fuel our economy, environment and daily life.
Restoring Water Levels
Nevada
In Nevada, we're elevating the importance of maintaining water levels in Lake Mead and restoring important Colorado River tributaries like the Virgin River.
A Win-Win-Win Solution for the Colorado River
San Juan River
This first-of-its-kind agreement between a Tribal Nation, state government and conservation NGO led to a historic release of water designed to benefit both nature and people.
Utah's Nursery for Endangered Fish
Matheson Preserve
At TNC’s Matheson Preserve, scientists and engineers are protecting razorback sucker larvae in the preserve’s sheltered habitats during their most vulnerable stage of development.
Restoring the Colorado River Delta
Mexico
Most of the Colorado River's water is used up by farms and cities before reaching the sea. What's being done to return water, and life, to the Delta?
Explore
Discover Different Approaches, State by State
Our Work in the Basin Discover projects we're working on throughout Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Mexico.
The Latest in the Basin
Discover current projects, partnerships, good news, and more happening throughout the Colorado River Basin.
Add a Podcast to Your Queue
In partnership with Mountain & Prairie, we're bringing you exclusive conservation stories, updates, advice and more from TNC leaders and host Ed Roberson.
© © Matthew Staver
Innovation in the Basin
March 2023 | Taylor Hawes, TNC's Colorado River program director, provides background on the river basin’s challenges and how TNC is working to solve these problems by building community support, working collaboratively with Tribal Nations and helping agricultural producers become more efficient.
© Roberto Rosales
Building Trust w/ Indigenous Communities
Celene Hawkins, Tribal Water Partnerships Program Director at The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Program, and Izabella Ruffino, Tribal and Indigenous Engagement Program Manager at TNC in Colorado, join Ed to discuss building trust and solid relationships, recent collaborations with Tribal Nations and recommended resources for deeper learning.
© Jason Houston
Rivers, Agriculture and Communities
November 2023 | Water experts Diana Lane and Aaron Derwingson join Ed Roberson to discuss some of Colorado's most urgent water-related challenges and opportunities and how TNC is working with a wide range of stakeholders to find mutually beneficial solutions.
© Jeremy Wade Shockley
Solving Challenges with Tribal Wisdom
July 2023 | As vice chair of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, trustee for TNC Colorado and the first-ever Tribal member on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, discover how Lorelei Cloud is applying her expertise to complex challenges in the basin.
© Jean Wallace/TNC Photo Contest 2022
Simple Approach to Riparian Restoration
Do you like beavers? Well then, you'll enjoy this episode. Discover how TNC experts are improving our streams in the West by adding simple structures made of natural materials to simulate processes like beaver dams in streams and wetlands.
© Mountain & Prairie
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On the fourth Tuesday of every month, the Mountain & Prairie podcast brings you conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, and collaborators, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities and solutions here in the West.
Together, we find a way
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