About Us
Our Story
Since 1988, River Network has been at the forefront of expanding national interest in protecting US waters, encouraging diversity in the environmental movement, and helping community members and local organizations take a stand for their waters.
River Network strengthens organizations and leaders to improve and protect their waterways, create climate-resilient communities, and ensure equitable access to safe, affordable drinking water. We accomplish this locally and nationally by responding to the capacity and training needs of organizations and communities, and by synthesizing, elevating, and activating proven and promising practices from the field.
As a backbone to the national network of water, justice, and river advocates, we have a unique role to play to influence water leaders to become more equitable, our organizations more diverse, and our practices more inclusive. Explore our equity, diversity, and inclusion journey to learn more.
We Believe…
Joy and hope for our planet flows through our rivers.
All living beings share a common home and a fundamental right to clean water.
People, places, and nature are interconnected and must adapt to survive in a rapidly changing world.
Equitable and enduring solutions start with community – created with, by, and for the people most impacted.
Mission, Vision, & Values
River Network grows and strengthens a transformational national network of water, justice, and river advocates. We envision a powerful and inclusive movement that ensures abundant clean water for all people and nature to thrive. We believe that joy and hope for our planet flows through our rivers. Find out more about our values.
Our Strategic Plan
Building upon our three decades supporting community members and organizations working on the ground to protect waters across the US, River Network developed a refreshed Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 to focus our efforts and clearly define our future for collective impact through a powerful, inclusive network. Explore the complete 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
Our Team
The River Network team consists of talented and dedicated staff and board members who boldly drive this organization forward and work together to build a welcoming culture for our entire staff, the network, our partners and supporters, and all who care about water.
Our Water, Our Future
Our ultimate goal is to deliver a future of clean and ample water for people and nature in which everyone is guaranteed the right to affordable clean water and healthy rivers. Whether through this website, River Rally (our national conference), River Voices (our monthly e-newsletter), or the grants and services we deliver, we constantly strive to expand and strengthen our community, our approaches, and our coalitions in order to build this future together.
To reach the future we seek, our solutions must become more equitable and inclusive. And to remain relevant, we must diversify our community and our organizations too. We are committed to the journey this implies and to delivering ongoing exposure to best practices, new ideas, tools and resources for everyone interested in making a difference in their communities and for their waters. Find out more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
