We're pleased to announce that exceeded our goal of raising $4.0 million for global and local clean water projects this year; bringing us to a cumulative total of over $22 million raised since 1999, $16 million for our clean water initiatives.

THANK YOU, WATER WARRIORS!

ALL FOR ONE GREAT CAUSE

Reaching this goal means that over the last 5 years we have touched the lives of tens of thousands of families worldwide by helping Global Greengrants fund water projects like these: converting 55,000 acres of land to sustainable agriculture; protecting or improving more than 550,000 people's access to clean water; supporting 16,000 women to be activists for clean water in their communities; enabling 275 communities to take action against toxic industrial pollution and hundreds of other projects, like those listed below, that have helped protect water rights and water access around the world.

• 550 watersheds protected
• 3,000 women trained in community environmental management
• 55,000 acres converted to sustainable agriculture
• 350 communities taking action against toxic pollution
• 26,000 people benefitting from wells and water infrastructure.
  • Protecting water quality of the Mississippi, Columbia and Potomac Rivers for people and wildlife.
  • Developing plans for ecological restoration of Florida's Everglades.
  • Promoting water conservation programs in the Rocky Mountain region.
  • Protecting the freshwater resources and cleaning up toxic contaminants in the Great Lakes.
  • Protecting and enhancing water quality of beaches in California and New Jersey.
  • Supporting coastal communities impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill and advocating for effective and thorough clean-up.
  • Building water systems and sanitation facilities in East Africa.
  • Developing community-based water systems in Madagascar and India.
  • Building rain-saving water cellars and providing accessible drinking water to rural villages in Northwest China.
  • Supporting the construction of water systems in Nepal and Ethiopia.

YOU CAN STILL HELP
There are many simple actions you can do to protect clean water. Here are a few of our favorites:

Support Organic Farming
Runoff from conventional farming contains nutrients and pesticides that pollute the fresh water supplies into which they empty. In many places this is the largest source of water pollution. Organic farming is heather for our water supply*.

Conserve Electricity
Every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of traditional electricity that we use takes about 2 gallons of fresh water** to make. Conserving electricity-and opting for renewable energy-saves water, too.

Go Meatless More Often
It takes up to 5,000 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat***. Enjoy a veggie meal and use less water.

Connect with your local Earth Month Clean Water Partner all year long
Interested in learning more about clean water issues in your area? Find your local Earth Month Partner organization and stay involved all year long.

*United Nations Environment Program: "Global Environment Outlook", February 2009,
**River Network: "Clean Energy."
***Eating well: "6 Reasons to Eat Less Meat."

VISIT AN EARTH MONTH LEADER SALON
If Earth Month activities are close to your heart you might want to find a salon that shares your values. Simply click to find a location; enter your zip code and state and check EM for Earth Month Leader. We'll find the name of an Earth Month Leader salon near you.