BOULDER, COLORADO – May 10, 2016 – The annual “River Rally” conference will be held in Mobile, Alabama on May 20-23, 2016 at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. The event is the largest annual gathering for river enthusiasts and advocates in the United States. Now in its 17^th year, River Rally attracts 400-700 people to learn about practical solutions for their rivers, gain inspiration from their peers and experts, and celebrate achievements.  The conference, which changes location each year, has become a true watering hole for people who work at the local level on behalf of their communities and the rivers that flow through them.

The event is hosted by national non-profit organization River Network and offers attendees numerous educational, training, and networking opportunities to better understand and address pressing issues threatening the country’s rivers and other waters. Environmental, community, business and government leaders will be present from across the U.S. and the world.

The conference program includes more than 65 workshops and thought-provoking keynote and plenary panel discussions designed to expand solutions for keeping our rivers healthy and our communities thriving. Speakers will engage attendees in topics ranging from water quality and scarcity, to climate change and environmental justice, to river and watershed science and policy issues. Special attention will also be given to the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the environmental movement.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in field trips to local and regional areas of interest, tour downtown Mobile via a 5K “fun run”, enjoy a screening of on-tour films from the national Wild and Scenic Film Festival, enjoy a yoga session in nearby Cooper Riverside Park, and more.

“The Mobile River Basin, and Alabama generally, is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity and for the challenges that our rivers face. For our attendees to have the opportunity to explore this place first-hand is the chance of a lifetime. We can’t imagine a better location for River Rally 2016,” said River Network President, Nicole Silk.

“Mobile Baykeeper and our partner watershed organizations are excited to play host to more than 400 river and clean water advocates coming to our beautiful Mobile Bay area. We intend to both teach and learn from folks who do similar work from River Network partners from across the country,” said Casi Callaway, Executive Director of local organization Mobile Baykeeper.

The event runs through the evening of Monday, May 23, ending with the River Heroes Banquet. The banquet serves to recognize the five 2016 River Heroes and the 2016 Compton Award winner. These national recognitions are awarded annually to individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to protecting rivers and waterways. The banquet will conclude with live music from the Alabaman bluegrass band Fat Man Squeeze.

For more information and to register, visit www.riverrally.org.

ABOUT RIVER NETWORK

River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the life on our planet. We envision a future of clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers.

For more information, contact:
Becca Marcott, Digital Marketing and Event Manager, River Network
503-617-0236
See also rivernetwork.org and riverrally.org