Water
Less than 1% of global water is accessible freshwater, the sole source for drinking water and crop irrigation. Accessible Freshwater is found in rivers, lakes, aquifers, and groundwater. Non-accessible freshwater is found in glaciers and polar ice caps, and not accessible for human use. Freshwater comes primarily from rivers, lakes, and aquifers and is the sole source for drinking water and crop irrigation. It is also used significantly in industry. In the U.S., only 13% of all water used is saline; 5% of that is used for industry and 56% of that is for mining.
Forest
Forests provide oxygen, store carbon, and purify water. They filter air and water to remove pollutants and increase biodiversity, which helps ecosystems and habitat thrive. According to a 2012 study, “50% of the earth's biodiversity occurs in forests.” As deforestation increases, so do frequency and severity of floods, drought, forest fires, and water pollution. Natural forests are the largest source for drinking-water supplies, a compelling reason to protect and replenish forests.
Sand & Dunes
Sand dunes protect coastlines and watersheds and create buffers that insulate land from high winds, storm damage, and flooding. Grasses, vegetation, trees, shrubs, and fences help to hold the sand in place, reducing erosion of dunes. They are habitat for endangered species and there is an incredible range of biodiversity from flora and fauna to birds and aquatic life. For example, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore protects 30% of plant species that are listed as rare, threatened, endangered, and special concern.
Preservation Acts
This in-progress guide highlights preservation Acts that have informed some of the topics for my drawings and the writing in my forthcoming book. The resources that follow are a few of many that I have used for better understanding pathways to protecting land and water. Each Act protects a lengthy list of objectives; the definitions or protections that I find to be primary or significant have been excerpted. Over time, more preservation Acts, including Acts from other regions, may documented here.
Public Protections
This in-progress guide highlights preservation Acts that have informed some of the topics for my drawings and the writing in my forthcoming book. The resources that follow are a few of many that I have used for better understanding pathways to protecting land and water. Each Act protects a lengthy list of objectives; the definitions or protections that I find to be primary or significant have been excerpted. Over time, more preservation Acts, including Acts from other regions, may documented here.
Reading List
This reading list includes essays, stories, and books on land, water, ecosystems, intersectional environmentalism, and spiritual ecology that continue to inform Loose Leaf projects.
Maps: Wetland Ecosystems
These interactive maps provide reference for location of wetlands and its ecosystems.
Maps: Wild & Protected Rivers
These interactive maps provide reference for understanding rivers, how they flow, and their national designations. Focus on Wild & Scenic Rivers.
Maps: Geologic
An ongoing collection of geologic maps showing interactive data in the U.S. and by state showing mining, fracking, natural gas wells, injection wells, earthquakes, and other data.