The processes of nature that sustain all life, including human beings, are often called “ecosystem services.” A healthy forest ecosystem provides abundant clean water and helps regulate the climate. It is a cradle of untold scientific discoveries and the source of future medicines.

Since the beginning of human history, people have recognized the value of nature’s services. Only in recent history have we failed to remember that our survival is joined with that of our natural environment. With every project, Nature and Culture International reinforces understanding of this ancient connection.

For example, in a section of Quito, Ecuador, people found their water supply was growing increasingly dirty as cattle grazed the upper slopes of the mountains above the city. Nature and Culture found a way to remove the sheep and cattle from the water source by structuring a deal among local governments, citizens and ranchers. Now, a distinctly Andean ecological zone called the Paramo, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, is returning to health, and nearly 700,000 people are once again drinking clean water.

Nature and Culture International also catalyzed creation of an innovative regional water trust fund–FORAGUA–that serves the Ecuadorian Provinces of Loja, El Oro and Zamora Chinchipe. Early assessment verifies that FORAGUA has already meant healthier water for about 400,000 people in this region while simultaneously conserving highly-threatened ecosystems with tremendous biodiversity.

The fund provides the legal structure to: 1) assist municipalities in creating watershed reserves that protect their drinking water supply and 2) create a repository for fees charged to water users that are used to safeguard these watersheds. FORAGUA is addressing a number of pressing issues in the region including persistent water deficits, deforestation, deteriorating water quality and the illegal harvesting of timber as well as the poaching of fish and game. The seven largest municipalities in the region are now participating in FORAGUA, and ten more are expected to be fully implementing the model by the end of 2012.

The other 22 communities in the region want to join the consortium, and communities in neighboring regions and countries are eager to adopt this model, so Nature and Culture is seeking the resources required to expand this very productive approach to protect drinking and other water resources and ecosystems throughout Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. In addition, we have recently been asked to help bring small, multi-family, potable water systems to rural areas that are not served by municipal water programs. We are now beginning to seek funding (less than $1,000 per family for installation of systems designed to last 15-20 years) for that important work.