The 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 ›
Blog
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 ›
Endurance Run: The Clean Water Act turns 45
by Gayle Killam
I joined River Network almost 20 years ago when the Clean Water Act was celebrating its 25th year, having endured the full-on attack during the mid-90s by Newt Gingrich and House of Representatives and their proposed “Dirty Water Act.” The watershed community was growing in size and strength–thanks in part to River Network’s first decade of work–and it… Read More ›
Times Like This Show Us How Much We Need the EPA
by April IngleAs I see the tremendous devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, I am heartbroken for all those who are suffering and I am heartened by all those who are stepping up to help, however they can. The impacted communities have many needs and a lot more support will be required to help them… Read More ›
Local Knowledge: The Key to Restoring Proctor Creek
by Erin WallOriginally posted in the Urban Waters Learning Network blog Growing up in Savannah, GA, I always felt a strong tie to water. There was the Savannah River I would see when I would walk down River Street, the many bike rides to the marsh close to my house, and the countless trips to the beach… Read More ›
River and Water Conservation Organizations’ Role in Disaster Management
by Jorie EmoryNatural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. Between 1995 and 2015, the United Nations estimated that a staggering 4.1 billion people worldwide were injured, left homeless, or required emergency assistance as a result of weather-related disasters 1. The majority of victims were impacted by flooding, which claims approximately 200 lives each year in the… Read More ›
New Great Lakes Map Shows Organizational Capacity and Threats to Water
by Jorie EmoryRiver Network has worked in the Great Lakes region since 2000, providing valuable capacity building services and exposure to 200 watershed groups. Since 2010, we have used our Organizational Assessment Tool to assess the capacity of individual river and watershed conservation groups in the region. In 2015, thanks to support from the C.S. Mott Foundation,… Read More ›
Water Neutral Growth? Check out Net Blue
by Katherine BaerHere in North Carolina, water levels in streams and rivers are declining. Rapid growth, increased consumptive water use and climate change are all contributing factors that place drinking water supplies at-risk. This mirrors what we found across the Southeast in our report on Protecting and Restoring Flows in this region. Water scarcity now threatens many… Read More ›
Fight the Attempt to Kill the Clean Water Rule
by Katherine BaerThis is a guest post by River Network Board Vice-Chair Rebecca Wodder. In his February address to Congress, President Donald Trump promised clean water for all Americans. Why, then, is his administration intent on dismantling protections that cover a third of the nation’s drinking water? Trump has directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S…. Read More ›
Congratulations, 2017 Urban Waters Learning Network Award Winners!
by Diana ToledoThe Urban Waters Learning Network Awards celebrate Learning Network members making significant achievements toward improving their urban waterways and revitalizing the neighborhoods around them. These members embody the spirit and value of the Learning Network and exemplify the Urban Waters Learning Network’s goal of providing peer-to-peer support, solving challenges through collaboration, and sharing. Award… Read More ›
River Network and Coca-Cola Expand National Rain Barrel Program to Save Water
by Travis FryBOULDER, COLORADO -- April 5, 2017 -- The rainwater that falls on your roof could play an important role in protecting our nation’s rivers and streams. In celebration of Earth Month (April), River Network, a non-profit organization that supports the protection and restoration of rivers and watersheds throughout the United States, has teamed up with... Read More ›
Cutting Water Loss and Protecting Rivers is Smart Business for Asheville
by April IngleWhen we were developing the “Protecting and Restoring Flows in Our Southeastern Rivers: A Synthesis of State Policies for Water Security and Sustainability” report, we went looking for examples of southeast cities that are doing a great job reducing their demand for water. We developed the report to support efforts to protect and restore flows… Read More ›
Infrastructure Investment? Time for some Integrated Thinking
by Katherine BaerEight years ago, Congress invested big-time in infrastructure, including water infrastructure through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Investing in our crumbling water infrastructure creates jobs and generates money throughout the economy. Already, there are the beginnings of infrastructure proposals on the table from both Democrats and the Trump Administration. Undoubtedly lots of fighting… Read More ›
