Let's ask our Board member, Bern Sweeney, Director of the Stroud Water Research Center. Dr. Sweeney says, "Forested land plays a huge role with respect to the quality and quantity of fresh water in surface streams. Our research shows that percent forest is often the single best predictor of water quality for streams in a given watershed.  There are two main reasons: first, an intact upland forest not only infiltrates rain water significantly better than lawn or farm land but the process of rainwater leaching through forest litter (leaves, decaying wood) carries an enormous amount of dissolved food that supports much of the life of nearby streams. Second, streamside forests shade the stream, promoting natural temperatures and high quality algae, providing substantial food like leaves, seeds, and fruits, while helping filter out pollutants before they can get into the stream."