What Finish and WWF returned to the Rio Grande
© Day's Edge / WWF-US
The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo doesn't ask for much; it just needs enough water to keep moving. For decades, it hasn't had it, and the river's natural flow has been depleted by 85%, leaving many stretches running dry for months at a time. This river is one of the world’s most at-risk rivers, suffering from water scarcity due to climate change and overuse. Without urgent interventions, the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo may cease to support the millions of people and wildlife who rely on it and impact its ability to support the production of the commodities that many of us enjoy.
For three years, World Wildlife Fund and Finish Dishwashing have partnered together to help restore the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo’s degraded ecosystems, optimize how we use water that is available, and promote water-resilient farming. Throughout this partnership, Finish built awareness about the importance of water conservation by encouraging consumers to adopt simple, water-friendly habits in their homes, such as skipping the rinse when loading the dishwasher.
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
Finish has also provided on-the-ground conservation funding within the Rio Grande
To date, accomplishments include:
-
More than 4.8 billion gallons of water replenished
More than 4.8 billion gallons of water replenished annually, for up to 5 years after project completion*
-
148 acres of land or wetland restored
One hundred forty-eight acres of land or wetland restored, conserved, or protected
423 miles of river or stream with improved river flows -
1,000 people engaged and benefiting
-
90 native species benefited
Partnering to restore a river
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
Restoring a river the size of the Rio Grande isn't a job for one organization. From the start, this partnership was built on the understanding that meaningful change at basin scale requires coordinated action across many hands. Finish's funding supported four on-the-ground conservation projects implemented by local organizations with deep roots in this river system.
Wild Trout Fishery Conservation led by Trout Unlimited
Wild Trout Fishery Conservation led by Trout Unlimited worked in the Upper Rio Grande Basin to work with farmers and restore natural river flow to protect wild trout fisheries, a bellwether species whose health signals the health of the whole system.
- 14,605,616 ft.3 (413,585 m3) of water was restored, critical to maintain minimum river flows throughout three winter seasons as part of their Winter Water Leasing Program.
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
Rio Cebolla Wetland and Watershed led by Rio Grande Return
Rio Cebolla Wetland and Watershed led by Rio Grande Return focused on restoring ecosystems in the Rio Grande headwaters through wetland restoration and riparian management, specifically designed to increase natural water distributed storage and encourage beaver populations to return to their ancestral habitats.
- The Rio Grande Return crew has installed over 200 artificial beaver dams, and we replenished over 3.43 billion gallons (13,000 million liters) of water through increased infiltration and wetland water storage in 49 acres (20 ha). In only two years, the restoration work created adequate habitat conditions for beavers, and the first group of beavers moved back into the project area in 2025.
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
Northern New Mexico Rio Grande Tributary Restoration led by Defenders of Wildlife
Northern New Mexico Rio Grande Tributary Restoration led by Defenders of Wildlife combined agricultural water conservation with sustainable production practices, wetland restoration, native vegetation planting, and beaver coexistence strategies, recognizing that healthy Rio Grande tributary streams depend on working with, not against, nature's engineers.
- WWF and Defenders of Wildlife, in partnership with Santa Fe County, the Santa Clara Pueblo, and local communities, installed 33 beaver dam analogs to restore wetlands in the Santa Cruz River, critical for water supply for agriculture, flood control, wildfire protection, and beaver habitat.
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
The Big Bend Tributary Stream Storage Enhancement led by The Rio Grande Joint Venture
The Big Bend Tributary Stream Storage Enhancement led by The Rio Grande Joint Venture tackled tributary stream storage enhancement in the Big Bend region of Texas, working to restore perennial creek flow and recharge the aquifers that communities and ecosystems depend on.
- This project developed a biodiversity baseline to assess the impacts of the restoration efforts on bird species, counting up to 43 different bird species in 2025. Riparian zones in grassland habitats are critical for bird species, often supporting more species than their adjacent upland grassland ecosystems.
© WWF-US/Diana Cervantes
The collaboration emerged from the shared understanding that corporate investment in water plays a vital role in the health of our planet, and in turn, the health of business. Three years of partnership moved the needle, yet it also revealed just how big the needle is. This vital waterway is still recognized as one of the 10 most endangered rivers globally and faces significant challenges.
Yet, projects like this, where many partners came together to help protect the river and its tributaries, give us hope. By continuing to restore degraded ecosystems, optimize available water, and promote water-resilient farming, we can continue our work to secure a healthier future for the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo and all who depend on it.
WWF's work in the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin is ongoing. Learn more about the river and how you can get involved.