Our Mission
The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, seeks to advance the integration of land and water management to meet the current and future water needs of Colorado River Basin communities, economies, and the environment. We help communities to effectively manage their land and water resources.
Programs of the Babbitt Center
Integration of Urban Land and Water Policy
Many times, as land use plans are developed, current water availability and projects for future water demands are not taken into account. This has led to overdevelopment, strain on water supplies, and limited access to water for both urban and rural needs—affecting economies, environments and food supplies. Through this program, the Babbitt Center seeks to ensure that any land or water use plan that is either in development or review takes the other into account in a uniformed fashion—addressing current and future needs of each natural resource.
Water and Agriculture
Globally, around 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture, making it the largest consumer of water. In addition to this water use, agricultural production also accounts for more than one-third of global land use. Decisions made regarding how, what, and where crops are grown are often devoid of the water resources necessary to sustainably grow those crops. Additionally, more pressure is being placed on agriculture than ever before to provide a safe and reliable supply of food, feed, fuel, and fiber for the global population. Taking in to account global shifts in population, decreasing amount of land available for agriculture, and increasing pressure for different types of crops, water should be part of all decisions related to land use and production.
Nature-Based Solutions
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that restore, manage, or protect natural ecosystems, which in turn help address societal challenges such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, and human health. While the interventions and outcomes of nature-based solutions are not new, the concept of integrating nature-based solutions in policy is. Land as a natural resource can and should be a driver in opportunities associated with addressing societal challenges through nature.