Charting New Waters

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive and lasting change leading to healthier environments and communities.

Charting New Waters

A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges

Is the U.S. facing a looming freshwater crisis that could affect the nation's economy, the livability of our communities and the health of our ecosystems? In 2010 a diverse coalition of leaders in industry, agriculture, environmental not-for-profits and government unanimously agreed we are, and in response, issued a landmark call to action to ensure the quality and abundance of U.S. freshwater. Their intensive two-year collaboration gave birth to what has become an expanding network of organizations dedicated to catalyzing new solutions to U.S. freshwater challenges.

Together, we are "Charting New Waters."

Financing Sustainable Water Infrastructure

As part of our work with Charting New Waters, we have focused on discovering different approaches to financing structures that incorporate new perspectives and input. The Financing Sustainable Water Infrastructure report is the product of a meeting convened by The Johnson Foundation, in collaboration with American Rivers and Ceres, that brought together a group of experts to discuss ways to drive funding toward the infrastructure needed for the 21st century. The report has led to testimony before Congress, amid other important work. Click here to learn more and download the full report.

New England Regional Freshwater Forum

On May 30 and 31, 2012, 36 participants representing diverse interests gathered for the Charting New Waters New England Regional Freshwater Forum at the Langham Hotel in Boston. This Forum brought together water experts and stakeholders from New England and other regions of the United States to explore the concept of “one water” – that is, planning and managing public drinking water, groundwater, stormwater and wastewater as an integrated system – as a pathway to holistic, resilient solutions. While technical solutions for many of New England’s freshwater challenges are available, existing governance structures and fragmented decision making regarding water are impeding the development and implementation of innovative, holistic solutions.

The New England Regional Freshwater Forum was the second Charting New Waters regional forum seeking to highlight innovative freshwater solutions and share them among leaders in different regions of the United States and with federal decision makers.

Colorado Regional Freshwater Forum

On October 18, 2011, nearly 100 participants representing diverse interests gathered for the Charting New Waters Colorado Regional Freshwater Forum at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The Forum brought together water experts and stakeholders from Colorado and other regions to explore Colorado’s experience developing solutions to a selected set of complex freshwater challenges.

The discussions centered on how solution-oriented efforts in the state can inform freshwater problem-solving in Colorado as well as other regions of the United States. The Colorado Regional Freshwater Forum was the first in a series of Charting New Waters regional forums seeking to highlight innovative freshwater solutions and share them among community leaders and federal decision makers.

Watch Video The Johnson Foundation's Lynn Broaddus and other experts discuss critical freshwater issues on Rocky Mountain PBS’ Colorado State of Mind.

Charting New Waters