Water wins are all around us, but reading about the latest policy rollback can be disheartening. So when we come across a headline that leaves us feeling hopeful, we think it’s important to share.
Every few months, we highlight a few pieces of good news for the water movement––efforts to strengthen ecosystems, protections for clean water, and local policy wins––that can help us all envision a better future.
Here are four stories worth celebrating:
Nature-based solutions in an iconic park
“Facing extreme rainfall and flooding, NYC is turning Brooklyn’s Prospect Park into a natural buffer” by Robyn Griggs Lawrence for Smart Cities Drive. Published Dec. 8, 2025.
“A $68 million ‘Bluebelt’ system includes drainage upgrades, ponds and rain gardens designed to manage intensifying rainfall while easing pressure on the city’s aging sewer system.”
Read the full story here.
New protections for Colorado waters
“Colorado water regulators approve historic stream, wetlands protections” by Jerd Smith for the Colorado Sun / Water Education Colorado. Published Dec. 12, 2025.
“After three days of hearings and a late-night vote, officials gave the green light to rules that will protect Colorado’s waters even as the EPA pulls back.”
More on this story here.
Inside one Tribe’s efforts to restore salmon habitat
“The Stillaguamish Tribe gives its river north of Seattle room to roam” by John Ryan for KUOW. Published February 7, 2026.
“The Stillaguamish Tribe has been buying up riverfront land in its traditional territory and removing levees to turn farmland into wetland.”
Listen to or read the full story here.
A massive tree planting project bulks up Louisiana’s coasts
“What can toughen Louisiana coast against worsening storms? 4 years and 30,000 trees” by Melina Walling for The Associated Press. Published February 13, 2026.
“In wetlands near New Orleans, a coalition of local conservation groups are in the final year of a four-year project to plant 30,000 trees, to better protect the shorelines from storm surges due to extreme weather and prevent further erosion and saltwater intrusion.”
More on this story here.
What’s next?
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