Many rural communities in Latin America depend on the use of surface water for their water supply. However, these vital water-producing ecosystems are increasingly being influenced by changes in the climate and agriculture. Watershare agreements with the upstream forest owners ensure sustainable management in the interests of nature and are also to the benefit of the landowners. Since 2003, around 80 local Andean governments have adopted the Watershared program, which has helped over 10,000 landowners maintain 400,000 hectares of “water factories”.