The Nature Conservancy
Organization background

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a seventy year old organization which was started with the goal of protecting and caring for nature. It now works in over 75 countries around the globe. TNC's mission is to conserve the lands and waters by addressing the biodiversity and climate crises over the next decade. For more information, see here.

Project Description - Long Lsland, NY

In New York, TNC manages dozens of public preserves that protect habitats and wildlife across the state. In addition to managing these preserves, TNC also aims to make them more accessible to the public, and to provide an educational experience for visitors, that emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural environment. With these goals in mind, TNC is redesigning amenities & trails, installing new interpretive and bilingual signage in these preserves and launching programs that better engage nearby communities.

Project Description - Chennai, India

Wetlands are a very important part of the environment as they provide freshwater, food, natural habitats, water security and biodiversity. Wetlands provide water during droughts, and also absorb excess water during floods, thus serving to protect against both types of severe weather events. However, due to over-development, India has lost more than 50% of its wetlands in the vicinity of cities, and the majority of the remaining wetlands are degraded & heavily polluted. One consequence of the loss of these areas is severe flooding and drought. For instance, Chennai, the largest city in south India, experienced devastating flooding in 2015, and one of the worst water shortages in India’s history in 2019.

Lake Sembakkam is one of 54 lakes around Chennai that cascades into the famous Pallikaranai marshland, one of the last remaining natural marshlands in south India and the wintering grounds of many migratory birds. Encroachment around Lake Sembakkam, and the dumping of sewage and solid waste into the lake has caused significant degradation of the lake. TNC is working with local partners to eco-restore the lake by installing a nature-based wastewater treatment system that will transform the lake into a healthy, functioning wetland.

GKF contributions to TNC