A Sustainability Now Interview with Water Stories Founder, Zach Weiss
What if the key to impacting climate change isn’t as much about carbon as it is about water? In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Zach Weiss, visionary water restoration expert and founder of Water Stories, for an exploration of how and why healing the water cycle can regenerate the planet. From extreme weather events—droughts and wildfires to catastrophic mudslides and floods—our planet’s most pressing climate crises are symptoms of a broken water cycle—a situation that we have the ability to heal. Zach shares why water cycle restoration is the most effective, immediate, and scalable solution to stabilizing our climate, cooling landscapes, reversing desertification, and restoring thriving ecosystems.
Drawing from real-world success stories, Zach shares how farms, cities, and even entire river systems are being revived through simple, nature-based interventions. In Montana, a parking lot became a thriving wetland in just two years, providing habitat for a rare and endangered salamander species. In India, through the work of Rajendra Singh, communities restored 13 rivers that had been dry for decades. These projects aren’t just theoretical—they’re proof that by working with nature, rather than against it, we can restore balance to the planet.
With a community of 6000 and growing, Water Stories is spreading the word through education and action, providing extensive resources for individuals, professionals, and policymakers alike. They also offer a once-a-year six-month training that equips participants with the knowledge and skills to get involved in this regenerative work—work that has been successfully implemented by everyone from individual land stewards to government agencies.
Resources
Water Stories Website | Community
Zach’s Consulting Company: Elemental Ecosystems
Permaculture Land Users Group of Oregon (PLUG-Oregon)
Brad Lancaster Harvesting Rainwater
