We say it a lot: River Network connects local watershed organizations across the country, empowering them with tools, training, and resources. But what does this really mean? What does it look like to “build strong champions,” as our strategic plan puts it, and to support Leadership Development, Organizational Sustainability & Planning, and Professional Development for… Read More ›
Par for the course in 2020, the Clean Water Act (the Act) has seen better days. As we mark its 48th anniversary on October 18, 2020, it is now more important than ever to keep fighting for our rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. This year began with major rollbacks to protections for small streams and… Read More ›
Last spring, we made an extraordinary decision to take River Rally 2020 virtual in order to protect our community and our team from the health risks of COVID-19. With only six weeks to completely remake our annual event, learn new technology, and reframe expectations, River Rally 2020 was a success, thanks to the patience and… Read More ›
Over the course of the past decade, River Network’s work on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has deepened significantly, focusing on both internal aspects of our organization and external programming. Initially, much of that work happened organically and, admittedly, somewhat haphazardly. A staff person tweaking one aspect of a program here (often in response to… Read More ›
As we near the fall and continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all adjusted to new ways of living and working. Creativity in programming has come to the forefront and new, exciting initiatives are popping up all over the network and the world. At River Network, we knew there had to be… Read More ›
In the days of the Clean Water Act, the Lower Schuylkill River was a hub of industry and development. Many point sources of pollution have since been shut down or heavily regulated, but the image of a polluted and inhospitable river are still pervasive throughout Philadelphia. Bartram’s Garden, a 45-acre National Historic Landmark, is challenging… Read More ›
Friday, June 5, 2020 – We would like to take a moment to build on the statement we made just under a week ago as we’ve observed, acknowledged, and participated in the events that have unfolded across the nation. Every state in the nation held protests against the unjust murder of George Floyd this week. We recognize that… Read More ›
Friday, May 29, 2020 – This week’s events highlight the systemic racism that pervades our society, and its direct impacts on the everyday lives of Black Americans. Black Americans frequently face racism in outdoor spaces, including around and on the rivers and waterways our network works diligently to protect and preserve. River Network believes all people… Read More ›
This post originally appeared on the Urban Waters Learning Network blog. We at the Urban Waters Learning Network (UWLN) and River Network know that many of our members who do water quality monitoring have questions about how to proceed with that work under the stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures that are in place during… Read More ›
