ROCKINGHAM — A regional water replenishment project is one of several being implemented by Amazon around the world.
Last month, Amazon announced that it was working with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to "replenish and protect” 20,000 acres of longleaf pine forests in the Pee Dee River basin.
“By bringing these forests back to health, such as by using prescribed burns to remove competing vegetation, the project will help more rainwater soak into the ground and nearby rivers — resulting in an expected 1.6 billion liters (more than 422 million gallons) of water replenished annually,” reads a press release from Amazon.
Counties in the basin where project work may occur include Richmond, Moore, Montgomery, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties, according to Amazon officials.
"Investing in the conservation of natural habitats that directly impact the health of our freshwater supply will support a prosperous future for wildlife, communities and our nation’s economy," Jay Jensen, director of the Southern Regional Office at NFWF, said in a separate release on the project.
"Forests play a vital role in ensuring abundant, clean sources of fresh water,” Jensen added. “When forests are healthy, they allow more water to filter into the soil, replenishing groundwater and increasing the amount of clean, cool water reaching streams and rivers."
According to NFWF, more than 3,500 acres will be improved through prescribed burning and other management practices, which enhance both wildlife habitat and water conservation.
Jesse Wimberly, of the NC Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association, said prescribed fires are “critical to restoring and maintaining healthy longleaf pine forests that benefit wildlife and help conserve and replenish water for communities.”
“These forests act as natural water towers — capturing rainfall, reducing erosion, and slowly releasing filtered water to streams and aquifers,” said Will Hews, Global Water Stewardship Lead at Amazon. “This project demonstrates how Amazon is working closely with our communities to solve their unique water challenges."
The other three recent projects are: along the Rio Grande in New Mexico; along the Santiago River Basin near Guadalajara, Mexico; and the Thames River basin in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this month, Amazon Web Services awarded NFWF a $50,000 AWS IMAGINE grant.
