The Value and Importance of Water Retention on our Land

One of the most valuable things to do for ourselves, future generations and all life on earth, in this climate crisis, is to find ways to capture rainwater on the land to soak into the groundwater and aquifers as it is meant to and regenerate the life of our planet.

“Water Retention Landscapes are the healing impulse urgently required by the Earth and all her creatures. They can and must arise in every place where people regain the courage, strength and also of course, the knowledge needed to create them. (…) We must not get accustomed to a state where something that is actually self-evident appears to us as an unrealistic utopia. A world in which all people have free access to sufficient water, energy and food is completely feasible.” (Bernd Mueller)

“We humans have the knowledge of how to transform deserts and semi-deserts back into living landscapes traversed by fresh spring water streams. In most cases desertification isn’t a natural phenomenon but the result of incorrect water management on a global scale. Deserts don’t arise because of a lack of rain, but because humanity treats water in the wrong way.” Source Tamera.org

(Source: Tamera.org

“There are plenty of ways to hold the rainwater on the land that can be used in various combinations. Creating retention areas can involve building check dams, swales, terraces, deep plowing along the keylines or using land stewardship techniques such as reforestation, organic farming and special pasture management, e.g. Holistic Planned Grazing.The basic principle of a Water Retention Landscape is that no rainwater should run off, but rather infiltrate into the soil where it falls. The absorbed rainwater goes into the aquifers and is purified, energized and mineralized. All outflowing water is spring water, steadily supplying humans, flora and fauna with liquid life – even during long periods without rainfall.” Tamera.org

Key Learnings

Water is the missing link for reversing climate change.
It’s possible to achieve water autonomy in our region and everywhere in the world.
When restoring the natural water cycles, we take the first, indispensable step for restoring ecosystems and lay the foundations for self-sufficiency.
Wherever you are, make sure rainwater doesn’t run off, but instead filters into the aquifers.” Source Tamera.org