Blog

Building Local Leadership for Community Resilience

by Hannah Mico
In the age of ever-increasing risks and impacts from climate change, communities need creative and long-lasting solutions to strengthen resilience. Often, the most locally and culturally relevant solutions come from those who know their communities best: residents.   For years, River Network has been supporting organizations in leveraging the place-based power and expertise of residents... Read More ›

Rooting Resilience: Meet the Awardees

by Amy Boal

River Network announces nearly $3.3 million to local organizations and Indigenous communities for tree planting and maintenance projects, increasing health and happiness nationwide. River Network, a national nonprofit that grows and strengthens local water, justice, and river advocates across the United States is thrilled to subaward $3.3 million to 21 community-based organizations and Indigenous communities… Read More ›

Making Sense of Federal Funding for and with Local Changemakers

by Ryleigh Nucilli
Across the US, there are communities facing disproportionate effects of air pollution. There are communities that lack access to clean drinking water. There are communities that bear an excessive burden created by the extreme heat the planet has experienced in recent years. Rather than appearing as blue or red, these communities span the political rainbow,... Read More ›

New Resource: Federal Response Overview Post-Climate Disaster

by Campbell Simmons
Federal Response and Monetary Assistance Post-Major Disaster Declaration President Joe Biden declared Hurricane Milton a major disaster in Florida and Hurricane Helene a major disaster in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida. While this designation opens up federal assistance to survivors of these disasters, understanding the types of assistance available can be challenging,... Read More ›

Connecting Leaders and Creating Community, Across Generations

by Brenna Goggin
Climate Corps cohort members gather outside for a group photo. Everyone is smiling, standing on the grass by the water.
Climate Corps members during an in-person retreat.
As new generations step into leadership roles at river, water, and justice organizations across the country, how is the movement changing? A few days into 2024, 18 Executive Directors joined a zoom call with River Network’s Leadership Development staff. Cozied up across the country, we discussed how the generational make up of staff is shifting... Read More ›

Apply for Thriving Community Grants

by Dina Abdulhadi

The EPA’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program aims to make it easier for small, community-based organizations—particularly those with low capacity or resources—and other eligible subrecipients to access federal funding for projects that identify, document, address, and respond to conditions related to environmental and/or climate issues. Interested applicants should apply through the program for their geographic region,… Read More ›

Emergency Response Resources to Drinking Water Quality Post-Flooding

by Erin Kanzig
Hurricane Helene has wrecked havoc in several southeastern states, and Hurricane Milton is barreling towards Florida. These latest climate disasters have left a devastating trail of destruction, leaving many communities without power, cell service, and running water. Our hearts go out to all those affected, including our River Network staff in Asheville, North Carolina, and... Read More ›

Empowering Floodplain Management

by Brian Murphy
As the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the southeastern states reminds us, the need for effective floodplain management is more urgent than ever. A healthy floodplain should serve as a sponge, absorbing floodwaters to support essential hydraulic and ecological functions. Historically, floodplain management has focused on controlling rivers within rigid channels. While this control is... Read More ›

Water is Fundamental: Source Water Protection Week 2024

by Erin Kanzig
Amy Boal, our Communications Director, has this view of Lefthand Water District’s Spurgeon Treatment Plant from her back porch, a daily reminder of her source waters and how they get to her tap.
This week, River Network recognizes and highlights Source Water Protection Week (September 29 -October 5) alongside other water-focused nonprofits, water utilities and associations, and government. When I sat down to write this blog, I was reflecting on national polling about water challenges in our country, which showed that voters are most concerned about pollution of... Read More ›

Announcing Rooting Resilience Local and State Government Grantees

by Stephanie Heidbreder
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, 2007. Photo courtesy Amy Boal, RN Staff, who grew up in Hillsboro.
River Network’s Rooting Resilience Program will provide funding and technical assistance to projects that build resilience and enhance communities’ abilities to plan and carry out forestry projects. Funding for these projects is provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Program of the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The first round... Read More ›

Introducing a New Equitable Development Toolkit

by Grace Fullmer
Across the country, neighborhoods that are majority Black, Indigenous, people of color, and low-income are disproportionately facing the worst and most extreme climate-related impacts. Following decades of discriminatory policies and practices – including intentional underinvestment in critical services, resources, and infrastructure – there is a clear need for green improvements in these communities to mitigate... Read More ›

Applications Open for Our Latest SRF Cohort (And You’ll Be Paid!)

by Erin Kanzig

Calling all water justice-oriented community based organizations! Are you looking to understand and influence how and where State Revolving Funds (SRFs) are distributed in your state? The SRF State Advocates Forum is seeking individuals from community-based organizations to participate in a 9-month (November 2024 – July 2025) national cohort to strategically engage in water infrastructure… Read More ›

River Rally 2024 Recap

by Carly Schmidt
Kicking off River Rally 2024 at the Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The 25th River Rally brought the network together on the banks of the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan; the traditional territory of the Anishinabek, including the Odawa, Ojibwa, and Bodéwadmi peoples. Together, we built community and shared knowledge, building bridges across distance and difference to connect and inspire the network. This year, 414 of... Read More ›