More About Freshwater

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    A Freshwater Story Interactive

    Earth is a water wealthy planet, but only a tiny portion of its water is available to support people and aquatic species. Learn more about how much freshwater there is, and where it's found.

  • Photo: Girls playing in the Dead Sea

    Parting the Waters Photo Gallery

    Water has always been precious in this arid region, but a six-year drought and expanding population conspire to make it a fresh source of conflict among the Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians vying for the river's life-giving supply.

  • Photo: People waiting for water truck

    Drinking Water and Sanitation Quiz

    For much of the world, drinking a glass of water is not as easy as filling up at a water cooler or even the kitchen sink.

  • Photo: searching streams for fish

    Silent Streams Photo Gallery

    Freshwater animals are vanishing faster than those on land or at sea. But captive-breeding programs hold out hope.

In the Field

Why Care About Water?

The National Geographic Society’s freshwater initiative is a multi-year global effort to inspire and empower individuals and communities to conserve freshwater and the extraordinary diversity of life that rivers, lakes, and wetlands sustain.

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Freshwater Advocates

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    Sandra Postel

    Sandra is a leading authority on international freshwater issues and is spearheading our global freshwater initiative.

  • Shannon Switzer.

    Shannon Switzer

    Shannon Switzer is an inspring young photographer and conservationist.

  • Photo: Zeb Hogan holds a taimen in Mongolia

    Zeb Hogan

    Zeb travels to the most endangered freshwater ecosystems striving to save critically endangered fish.

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Freshwater Blogs

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Explore Freshwater

The World's Water

  • Photo: Rio Pinquen river

    Amazon Headwaters

    Help protect this watershed—for the species that live there and the livelihoods that depend on it.

  • Photo: Person holding a crocodile

    Cambodia's Crocodiles

    Help give the endangered Siamese croc a fighting chance by combating hunting and habitat loss.

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