Building Resilience Across Freshwater Systems
Seneca supports nature-based solutions that protect and restore freshwater systems while advancing long-term ecological and financial resilience. Our focus includes watersheds, wetlands, and water security, with an emphasis on models that demonstrate potential for bankability through ecosystem service monetization, blended capital structures, and other scalable financing approaches. We prioritize initiatives that align conservation with land-use planning, community stewardship, and climate adaptation, especially where financial models can support scale and durability.
We work with partners and enabling institutions to advance freshwater solutions that deliver watershed-scale restoration, ecological integrity, and financial durability.
What We Shape
Wetlands
Wetlands offer powerful nature-based solutions for water filtration, carbon storage, and flood mitigation. Seneca works with partners on projects that restore marshes, swamps, and peatlands, especially where they anchor broader watershed strategies or serve as biodiversity hotspots. We prioritize models that demonstrate commercial potential through ecological performance and long-term resilience, and may be supported through performance-based finance, ecosystem service monetization, or other mechanisms suited to local contexts.
Watersheds
Seneca engages with watershed-scale approaches to restore and manage river corridors, headwaters, and broader catchment systems. These efforts support climate resilience, water quality, and biodiversity, and may be structured through ecosystem service monetization, blended capital, or other models that link ecological integrity with financial viability.
Wastewater and Circular Water Systems
Seneca supports nature-based approaches to wastewater treatment and reuse, especially where circular systems can reduce pollution, recover nutrients, and enhance ecological resilience. These models offer growing potential for commercial viability—particularly in agriculture, energy, and industrial reuse—by transforming wastewater from a liability into a resource. We focus on solutions that show measurable ecological impact and are structured to attract investment through scalable, outcome-driven models. These efforts often complement broader watershed and urban water strategies.
Water Security
Seneca supports upstream interventions that improve the reliability and ecological sustainability of freshwater access. These efforts contribute to climate adaptation and long-term resource management, and may be structured through nature-positive finance models that reward measurable outcomes. We prioritize approaches that demonstrate financial viability through bankable structures and clear links between ecological performance and durable returns. This includes models that expand access to clean water and sanitation, such as decentralized WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) systems, especially where they complement watershed and wetland restoration and support community resilience.
Why It Matters
Freshwater ecosystems support 10% of known species but are disappearing faster than forests. Wetlands are vanishing three times faster, and freshwater vertebrate populations have declined by over 80% since 1970. Nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration and watershed management can reduce flood and drought risk, improve water quality, and support biodiversity.
Despite their value, freshwater solutions receive only a fraction of the investment needed. Seneca supports projects that structure watershed recovery as investable, linking ecological performance with financial durability. This includes monetizing ecosystem services and designing blended finance approaches that support long-term stewardship.
What We’re Learning
Watershed-scale planning requires cross-sector coordination and patient capital. Monetizing services like water filtration or flood mitigation can unlock new finance, but accurately measuring and pricing these outcomes remains challenging. Data gaps and fragmented governance often slow progress.
We are also learning that inclusive governance and adaptive management are essential. Seneca is focused on enabling projects that demonstrate tangible environmental benefits, offer viable revenue streams, and are structured to attract long-term investment. We are exploring how freshwater restoration can be integrated into broader climate and biodiversity strategies.
