March 20, 2018 [Boulder, Colorado] – River Rally 2018 will take place at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, California, from April 29–May 2, 2018. Now in its 19th year, River Rally is a national conference hosted annually by River Network. It connects, educates, and celebrates people standing up for healthier rivers and clean water across the U.S. An estimated 500 participants will convene at River Rally 2018, including nonprofit staff and volunteers, agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. The conference offers over 70 workshops, plenaries, and keynotes on issues, including:

Mobilizing for Change Through Policy, Advocacy, and Civic Engagement: We look at the future of bedrock water laws, such as the Clean Water Act.

The Right to Clean Water: How Do We Guarantee It for Everyone? Across the U.S., diverse communities face water infrastructure challenges and insufficient oversight to remedy problems. Tribal, policy, and community-based solutions will be discussed.

Investing in Water – The Role of Rivers and Lakes in Our Lives, Economies, and Future: Communities are bringing rivers and waterways back for economic growth, recreational opportunities, healthy ecosystems, and urban revitalization.

Reconnecting to Rivers Through Restoration and Recreation: In this celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, learn how communities and individuals connect, protect, and restore local waters. Learn more at www.riverrally.org.

“River Rally 2018 falls at a time when the social and political context of water is changing,” says Nicole Silk, President of River Network. “River Rally is a high energy and inclusive event that explores this changing context, delivers practical solutions, and gives attendees confidence and tools to take home and make a difference for their local waters. If you care about water and want to be inspired, this is where you should be.”

River Rally will culminate with the 2018 River Heroes Banquet and Awards Ceremony on the evening of May 2. River Network will honor five individuals from across the U.S. with River Hero awards, celebrating efforts to protect and restore their local waters that have been extraordinary in scale, impact, and heart.

About River Network
River Network is the foremost nonprofit connecting water-focused organizations, agencies, businesses, and communities for greater local impact and healthier rivers across the U.S.

Media Contact: Radha Marcum, River Network, email media (at) rivernetwork (dot) org

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