Whether in the fight against the pollution of Spanish lagoons as a result of intensive agriculture, for the preservation of precious river systems in Colombia, healthy mangrove forests in Bangladesh or a microplastic-free Lake Constance: the Living Lakes network and its partners have been campaigning for living and livable waters for 23 years.
A successful model gets fit for the future Founded and coordinated by the Global Nature Fund (GNF), the network also benefits from the commitment of its Spanish sister organisation Fundación Global Nature and the German Lake Constance Foundation as Living Lakes members from the very beginning. Furthermore, the network has grown into a global success story: In the meantime it comprises more than 130 partner organisations all over the world and over 110 associated lakes on seven continents – even in Antarctica with the fascinating Lake Vostok as a symbol of committed lake protection even in remote regions of the world.
In order to put the cooperation of the founding partners on a firm footing and make it ready for a future in which challenges become greater, but also awareness of ecological issues grows, Global Nature Fund, Fundación Global Nature and Lake Constance Foundation have now signed a "Memorandum of Cooperation". Among other things, it confirms the will to cooperate for the conservation of drinking water resources and biodiversity. To this end, contact with companies that strive for sustainable resource management in the agricultural sector and the food industry also plays a role. In addition, the memorandum states the mitigation of climate change and adaptation to its consequences as a goal of the joint effort.
Nature-based solutions for sustainable water protection "A key concept in our memorandum is nature-based solutions," explains Udo Gattenlöhner, Executive Director of the Global Nature Fund and co-signatory of the document.
"GNF, Lake Constance Foundation and Fundación Global Nature share the approach of using what nature itself offers us in projects. A good example of this are green filters, which we use just as successfully in South America as in Asia. The filters clean wastewater with plant power without relying on complicated techniques. This is just one of many approaches that the three partners are taking for their supporters worldwide on the path to sustainable protection of lakes and wetlands." On the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum and on behalf of all Living Lakes partners around the globe, Global Nature Fund and Fundación Global Nature are releasing a video today that illustrates the challenges and goals of the network. Under the motto "We save the Lakes and Wetlands of the World" it shows the network with fascinating pictures of lakes and wetlands the way to a hopefully successful future - but it also makes clear what is needed for effective protection of aquatic ecosystems: the determined commitment of all people who depend on the ecosystem services of waters worldwide.
To the new living lakes video To the GNF Living Lakes website Contact Global Nature Fund (GNF)
Udo Gattenlöhner, Executive Director
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
D-78315 Radolfzell am Bodensee
+49 7732-9995-80
Email:
info@globalnature.org Website:
www.globalnature.org