Blog

The Importance of State Level Water Funding

In fifth grade, I joined my 9-year-old classmates for a field trip to Salem to tour Oregon’s state capitol building. Two memories stand out from that day: climbing what seemed like hundreds of stairs to the roof to see the “Gold Man” statue (likely my first time on a roof!), and sitting in the gallery... Read More

Op-Ed: We must continue investing in water infrastructure

The following op-ed was originally published on March 15, 2025 in BridgeDetroit. The author, Erin Kanzig (she/her) is a resident of Detroit, MI. She is the Drinking Water Program Director at River Network, where she works on water infrastructure, affordability, and contamination issues nationally.   A water main breaks every two minutes in America. Think… Read More

Building Local Leadership for Community Resilience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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