The Global Clearwater Challenge
A Worldwide Invitation to Restore the Waterways We Love
The Global Clearwater Challenge is a living, open invitation for communities everywhere to reconnect with their local waterways and help restore them to health. Every river, creek, lake, wetland, and coastline carries a story. This challenge exists to honour those stories, protect the ecosystems they support, and empower people to take meaningful, measurable action.
The challenge is designed to be universal, accessible, and deeply place‑based. Whether you live beside a vast river system or a small urban stream, your contribution matters.
Purpose and Vision
The Global Clearwater Challenge aims to:
- Strengthen ecological resilience in waterways across the world.
- Encourage community‑led restoration, monitoring, and storytelling.
- Build a shared global map of waterway health and human connection.
- Inspire long‑term stewardship through simple, repeatable actions.
The vision is a world where every community feels empowered to care for its water, and where thousands of local efforts combine into a global movement.
How the Challenge Works
Participants choose a local waterway and complete one or more Clearwater Actions. These actions range from simple observations to advanced restoration work. Every action contributes to a growing global archive of stories, data, and ecological improvements.
Each contribution is submitted through a dedicated form on EcoReefProject.co, where it becomes part of a shared map and community record.
Clearwater Action Pathways
The challenge offers three pathways so anyone can participate, regardless of experience or resources.
Beginner Pathway
- Photograph a local waterway.
- Share a short story, memory, or observation.
- Conduct a simple litter removal.
- Note visible conditions such as clarity, flow, or wildlife presence.
Intermediate Pathway
- Perform basic water testing using accessible kits.
- Document changes over time with repeat visits.
- Organise a small group cleanup or observation walk.
- Record temperature, turbidity, or weather patterns.
Advanced Pathway
- Lead or join habitat restoration efforts.
- Conduct long‑term monitoring with local experts.
- Collaborate with councils, schools, or environmental groups.
- Contribute structured data to citizen science platforms.
Submission and Recognition
Participants submit their Clearwater Action through a simple form, including:
- Location
- Story or observation
- Photos
- Optional data (testing results, measurements, notes)
To celebrate contributions, the challenge offers recognition tiers:
- Clearwater Contributor – for completing any action.
- Clearwater Guardian – for sustained or intermediate‑level involvement.
- Clearwater Steward – for advanced or long‑term restoration work.
Selected contributions may be featured on EcoReefProject.co to inspire others.
Safety and Care Guidelines
All participants are encouraged to:
- Prioritise personal safety around water.
- Avoid disturbing wildlife or sensitive habitats.
- Follow local regulations and land access rules.
- Use gloves and appropriate equipment during cleanups.
- Work in groups when possible.
These guidelines ensure that every action supports ecological health without causing harm.
Global Map and Shared Archive
Every submission contributes to a growing global map that visualises:
- Participating waterways
- Stories and observations
- Restoration efforts
- Seasonal and long‑term changes
This map becomes a living archive of global waterway health and community action.
Partnership Opportunities
The challenge welcomes collaboration with:
- Schools and universities
- Local councils and water authorities
- Environmental NGOs
- Community science networks
- Outdoor and eco‑tech organisations
Partnerships help expand reach, deepen impact, and support long‑term stewardship.
Pilot Phase and Global Rollout
The challenge begins with a pilot phase focused on a small number of regions. This phase tests:
- Submission flow
- Engagement patterns
- Data quality
- Story resonance
Insights from the pilot shape the global rollout, ensuring the challenge is robust, inclusive, and ready for worldwide participation.
A Movement Built on Local Stories
The Global Clearwater Challenge is more than an environmental initiative. It is a collective storytelling effort, a celebration of place, and a commitment to the waterways that sustain life.
Every contribution, no matter how small, becomes part of a global tapestry of care.
Communities everywhere are invited to join, share, restore, and protect. Together, we can build a clearer, healthier future for the world’s waters.