Our Programs / Freshwater Biodiversity & Resources

Overview Freshwater Biodiversity & Resources

Freshwater resources in Africa are insecure in quantity and quality, and water resource development is a high priority for governments and international donors. Audiences for data and knowledge of freshwater biodiversity include the conservation sector to help in the protection of wetlands and influence policy decisions. Investors in water infrastructure for hydropower and human use also rely on biodiversity and fisheries information to reduce risk and plan development. Scientific researchers in many disciplines also use freshwater biodiversity data as a key component of research involving landscapes, terrestrial ecosystem health, and climate change.

We seek projects in which there is a partnership between knowledge providers and users. Successful applicants for a JRS grant must a strong case that the resulting data and information services will improve human lives and have a positive impact on the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development.

  • We are pursuing grantmaking initiatives to meet the need to monitor freshwater biodiversity in priority areas for resource conservation, and to increase data access for policy and investment decision making. Grants may focus on creating access to data, developing data systems and mobile technologies, and filling knowledge gaps for conservation purposes, particularly as they apply to vital biodiversity areas.
  • Our grants work to strengthen informatics systems, accessibility, and use of freshwater biodiversity data for use by policy and decision-makers to achieve conservation goals.

Recent Freshwater News and Stories

Lake Tanganyika Featured in Global Media

The BBC recently interviewed JRS grantee, Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic/ Water-Based Aid, Value, Engagement (LTFHC/WAVE) to highlight the unique research being done by the LTFHC team on this critical African lake ecosystem. Staff member Justin Kongolo Saliboko discussed the…

In with the New Year: Madagascar Wetland Knowledge Base

JRS is proud to start 2024 by announcing support to Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in its work to prepare Madagascar’s first National Wetland Strategy, to address gaps in the national data and biodiversity information infrastructure for its 21 Ramsar…

Freshwater Grants

Project Title

Grantee

Amount / Months

Year

Southern African Development Community – Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI)
$308,100 / 36 months
2020
Threatened Species Conservation Alliance (THRESCOAL)
$75,636 / 24 Months
2021
Frankfurt Zoological Society - U.S. (FZS-US)
$280,000 / 24 months
2020
University of Florida
$279,885 / 36 months
2022
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
$250,000 / 36 Months
2023
International Crane Foundation, Zambia
$249,359 / 36 Months
2023
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
$385,907 / 36 Months
2023

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