The Appalachian region, covering 198 million acres from Alabama to Canada, is a climate-resilient, biodiverse area that serves as a vital corridor for wildlife. Its rivers support over half of U.S. freshwater fish species and provide drinking water for 36 million people, while also underpinning a $25 billion recreation industry and holding cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples.
However, more than 70,000 aging dams threaten these ecosystems, with only 2% of U.S. rivers remaining free-flowing. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working to tackle this through its Free Rivers Accelerator initiative, designed to expedite dam removals and restore critical river systems. By facilitating collaboration among various stakeholders, TNC aims to address funding and technical challenges.
The Accelerator aims to remove barriers faster and develop a sustainable model for river conservation. By 2030, TNC hopes to free nearly 200,000 kilometers of rivers globally, contributing to a goal of conserving one million river kilometers.
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