By WaterStories.com, a learning, training, and action platform focused on Water Cycle Restoration.
People around the world are learning how to quickly create real substantive change for the health of their landscapes and communities – by working for water.
A Path to Thriving Landscapes
What Is Water Cycle Restoration?
Water cycle restoration is the art and science of revitalizing the movement of water through our landscapes to encourage infiltration and vegetation growth. At its core, water cycle restoration mimics and supports natural processes to create resilient and abundant landscapes for generations to come.
By capturing rainfall, slowing its flow across the land, and encouraging it to infiltrate deep into the soil, we can reverse the destructive cycles of drought, flood, and fire. Healthy water cycles recharge groundwater, mitigate extreme weather impacts, and create lush, resilient ecosystems teeming with life.
Decentralized water retention systems offer practical solutions to many of our modern crises. These techniques are based in nature and can be implemented on any scale. Every intervention has a ripple effect, rehydrating the land, improving soil health, mitigating climate change, increasing biodiversity, and supporting local communities.
Elements of
Water Cycle Restoration
Our understanding of the water cycle, including how the small and large water cycles interact, has grown so much in just the last few decades. Here are some core concepts that are pertinent to understanding how the water cycle has been broken and how we are working to fix it. (Click images to enlarge)
Click images to enlarge
Local Actions, Global Impact
Water Cycle Restoration and Climate Resilience
Healthy water cycles are one of the most effective tools in addressing climate change. Landscapes rich in water and vegetation act as natural air-conditioning units, regulating temperatures and creating localized weather patterns. Every pond built, every tree planted, and every wetland restored contributes to a global cooling effect.
The most powerful solutions often start small. By addressing water-related challenges in our own backyards, we create cascades of positive change that extend far beyond our immediate surroundings. Restoring water cycles isn’t just about preventing disasters—it’s about building thriving communities, abundant futures, and landscapes resilient to a changing climate
Learn more and get involved at WaterStories.com
Upcoming event:
An Evening of Water Stories
Join NM Healthy Soil Working Group in Taos for a presentation by Zach Weiss, founder of Water Stories, followed by a local resource fair! Learn about restoring the water cycle to rehydrate the land and meet local community organizations who can help apply those concepts.
When: Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 5:00 – 7:30pm
Doors and bar open at 5:00pm
Zach Weiss presentation and Q&A at 5:30pm
Local Resource Fair and networking at 6:30pm
Where: Amigos Locale, 330 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Suite A in Taos, NM
All proceeds benefit the non-profit A.I.R.E. Programs (Agriculture Implementation Research & Education): Supporting Local Farms & Ranches, Producing 800 USDA Local & Organic School Meals Daily, Planting School Gardens and Offering Culinary Arts & Farm Internships
Valerie McCaffrey
Hi Healthy Soil & Working Group,
I am very interested in attending Zack’s Water Stories presentation, going to the local resource fair and networking. We have had severe fire and flooding to the point of evacuation here this year in Grant County on the Mimbres River.
I have a small ranch that is part of an historic acequia with fields along Hwy 152. I have been severely flooded on both sides of my 22 acre property. I also would like to learn how to work for water in every way I can on my ranch/farm/orchard and on the 4 acre Mimbres Marketplace we are establishing along Hwy 35 in Mimbres in this resource-poor and un-incorporated part of the county. You are doing so much of what our Mimbres Food & Agriculture Co-op hopes to do.
I love it that the Healthy Soils Working Group is addressing water. Of course! Water is life.
Looking for inspiration and practical stuff that works.