The Rio Grande River

Over the past 50 years, we’ve laid claim to so much water from [Texas] systems that a third of our natural springs have stopped flowing, aquifers in some areas are slowly being pumped dry, and the flows in some rivers have diminished to the point where they could dry up at least part of the year.

— National Wildlife Federation

Within the next 50 years, the population of Texas will double to 40 million, and water, a vital element of life for people, plants and animals, will become increasingly and dangerously scarce throughout the state. Texas has 15 major river systems, 80,000 miles of streambeds, 25 aquifers and seven major Gulf Coast estuaries that maintain life and health for their inhabitants. Even so, nearly 900 Texas cities will not have enough water from current sources to meet their needs in 2050. Flourishing natural habitats that support animal and plant life, along with local economies, are also threatened. By managing, conserving and protecting water throughout the state, organizations are preserving an essential current and future resource.

To help maintain the vitality and availability of current and future water resources in Texas, Houston Endowment has supported:

. Houston Advanced Research Center

. National Wildlife Federation

. The Nature Conservancy of Texas

. San Marcos River Foundation, Inc.

. Southwest Texas State University

. Texas Center for Policy Studies, Inc.

. Texas Committee on Natural Resources

. Texas Cooperative Extension

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