This October marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. In the past half century, over 12,000 miles of 200+ rivers have been designated wild and scenic, affording extra protection to some of the country’s most spectacular and valued river stretches. Federal agencies are tasked with managing these… Read More ›
Blog
Building Resilient Communities: Insights from Puerto Rico
by Radha Marcum
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island of Puerto Rico, wiping out nearly all public access to power, water, health facilities, and supermarkets. Before Hurricane Maria made landfall in 2017, Puerto Rico was already struggling with environmental issues, and it was clear that the problems were tied to social and economic issues…. Read More ›
River Network Launches Searchable Map for Water Protectors
by River NetworkApril 27, 2018 [Boulder, Colorado] – River Network, the foremost national nonprofit connecting water-focused groups, will launch Who Is Protecting Your Water?, an interactive, searchable map of thousands of organizations, agencies, and Indigenous communities protecting water across the U.S. The map will launch in beta at River Rally (Olympic Valley, California, April 29–May 2, 2018), the… Read More ›
River Network Announces 2018 River Heroes Award Winners
by River NetworkApril 20, 2018 [Boulder, Colo.] – Six leaders have been recognized by national nonprofit organization River Network for exceptional achievements in river and water protection and restoration. Since 2001, River Network has recognized over 80 individuals with River Hero Awards, which honor transformative work on a particular river or geography. Letters of support from community… Read More ›
2018 Urban Waters Learning Network Awards Celebrate Four Leaders
by Amy BoalApril 20, 2018 [Boulder, Colorado] – Four leaders have been chosen for recognition by the Urban Waters Learning Network (UWLN), a partnership of the national nonprofits River Network and Groundwork USA. The Urban Waters Learning Network Awards, sponsored by the U.S. EPA, celebrate significant achievements of individuals who have improved urban waterways and revitalized the… Read More ›
Our Voices Heard: Congress Funds Clean Water, Air and Land Programs in Spending Package
by April IngleAround this time last year, I was asked to give a presentation on environmental issues at a workshop being held by Georgia Women (and Those Who Stand With Us). The session’s focus was on cuts the new administration was proposing to US environmental programs and what could be done about it. The news was bleak:… Read More ›
Wild and Scenic Rivers at River Rally
by Sam Cohen
From the trout filled waters of Michigan’s Au Sable River, to the Amargosa—flowing mirage-like through the Mojave Desert, national wild and scenic rivers are shining examples of the waterways that course through the country. As the Wild & Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act turns 50 this October, River Network and many others are celebrating the Act’s… Read More ›
River Rally 2018 Explores Future of Wild Rivers, Clean Water
by River NetworkMarch 20, 2018 [Boulder, Colorado] – River Rally 2018 will take place at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, California, from April 29–May 2, 2018. Now in its 19th year, River Rally is a national conference hosted annually by River Network. It connects, educates, and celebrates people standing up for healthier rivers and… Read More ›
National Conference Celebrates Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 50th Anniversary
by River NetworkMarch 20, 2018 [Boulder, Colorado] – River Rally 2018, the annual gathering of water protectors and conservationists hosted annually by River Network, will take place at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, California, April 29–May 2, 2018. The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act turns 50 this October, and River Rally 2018 will celebrate… Read More ›
Wild and Scenic 50th Anniversary Community-Building Grants: Proposals Due 3/30
by Radha Marcum
Is your organization looking to launch initiatives or events that engage community around the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act? To aid in the planning and execution of anniversary events, River Network is offering financial support to a limited number of grassroots organizations. River Network will provide 2-3 small grants ($3,000 –… Read More ›
Leveraging Our Voices to Protect Clean Water Policies At Risk
by Katherine BaerDuring River Network’s annual conference River Rally (May 2017) the Trump Administration was taking public comment on which environmental regulations it should eliminate. It was perfect timing to ask our nationwide network of community water advocates to let the Administration know that they want regulations to protect people, not polluters. We mailed in hundreds of… Read More ›
‘A River’s Reckoning’ Highlights Unusual Partners, Remarkable Success for Colorado Headwaters
by Nicole SeltzerThe headwaters of the Colorado River in Grand County, Colorado is not the state’s largest river, but its importance as a water source looms large. A litany of federal agencies, regional authorities, local governments, and individual land owners rely on the river to meet both human and wildlife needs. This quiet stretch of mountain stream… Read More ›
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – A 2017 Federal Policy Wrap
by Katherine BaerIt’s felt like a pretty long year – and now with a few days to go until 2018 we thought we’d take a sec to reflect on 2017: The Good – In 2017, it’s been so encouraging to see the immense numbers of people who are engaging with their decision makers about the issues that… Read More ›
Why National Monuments Matter to Our Rivers
by Nicole Silk
Nearly 20 years ago, in the late summer, an unexpected storm sat somewhere over Bears Ears National Monument. I was guiding a trip down the San Juan River with friends and family. We had just returned from a hike up Slickhorn Canyon, one of the creases in the goosenecks that define this section of river,... Read More ›
Junction Function: Community Engagement Done Right
by Paco OllervidesAs River Network’s Great Lakes Leadership Development Manager, I recently had the opportunity to join 66 community members for a two-day event organized by Junction Coalition in Toledo, Ohio. Junction Coalition is in the Swan Creek subwatershed that is part of the greater Maumee river that empties into western Lake Erie. Thanks to a grant… Read More ›
