U.S. Southeast Rivers and Streams

People have been living near the southeastern rivers and streams for at least 12,000 years. We have relied on them for food, transportation, drinking water and spiritual solace. These places have witnessed eons of human and natural history and are testaments to the resilience of life on Earth.

This region is a land of contrasts where bustling cities like Nashville, Birmingham and Mobile coexist with some of the country's poorest counties. Mining natural resources has always been part of the culture of this place whether it is coal, limestone, phosphorus, timber, water or wildlife. This is a part of the world where property rights are sacred and over 85 percent of the land is held by the private sector, ranging from large timber holdings to small family farms. Land ownership is becoming more and more fragmented.