River Voices: March 2018
Welcome to the March 2018 edition of River Voices. We are excited to share highlights of our community resilience work, including the launch of the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Cohort, plus an introduction to Diana Toledo, our Leadership Development Director and urban-water leadership development expert. Check out funding opportunities for Wild & Scenic Rivers events and community engagement, plus our latest webinars and resources.
River Network Launches the Safe & Affordable Drinking Water Cohort
Communities across the United States face a drinking water crisis that extends far beyond Flint, Michigan. Toxic and contaminated tap water is increasingly common. Communities face unsafe levels of lead, copper, and “emergent” pollutants in drinking water, as well as pollutants from source water. In areas where rapid development and water scarcity collide, communities face water shortages.
In response to this growing crisis, River Network will launch the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Peer Learning Cohort, a 15-month program that will equip organizations with information, skills, tools, financial resources, and promote connectivity between the growing network of individuals and organizations working on these issues. Learn more about the cohort and submit an application of interest no later than Monday, March 26th.
River Rally 2018
HURRY! Early bird rates end March 30th. Connect, learn, and be inspired at River Rally (Lake Tahoe, Apr 29-May 2). Enjoy over 70 workshops, keynotes, and plenaries, on saving rivers, lakes, and streams and solving today’s most significant freshwater challenges—plus field trips, films, and fun. Register today.
Meet Our Team
Meet Diana Toledo River Network’s Leadership Development Director. Diana develops and delivers training and consulting services for leaders, organizations, and coalitions working for freshwater protection. Read more about Diana’s work.
In the News
Elevation Outdoors, a Rocky Mountain publication near our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, featured River Network in the March 2018 issue. “120 volunteers donated 363 hours of time to plant, mulch and water 300 native trees and shrubs to improve species habitat along the Cache La Poudre River in Fort Collins.” Thanks for the kudos! Read the article.
Let’s take a moment to remember why [the Clean Water Act] is necessary. In the early 1970s, two-thirds of the nation’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters had been declared unsafe for fishing or swimming. Untreated sewage and industrial wastes were dumped into rivers and bays; fish kills were common; and—in at least one memorable instance—and oil-fouled river actually caught fire.
–Rebecca Wodder, River Network Board Chair, from “Fight the Attempt to Kill the Clean Water Rule,” in Resilience Matters: Transformative Thinking in a Year of Crisis (Island Press, 2018)
Wild and Scenic Community-Building Grants: Proposals Due 3/30
Is your organization looking to launch initiatives or events that engage community around the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act? To aid in the planning and execution of anniversary events, River Network is offering financial support to a limited number of grassroots organizations. River Network will provide 2-3 small grants ($3,000 – $5,000) to support events or initiatives that engage communities around the 50th anniversary and that build local groups’ long-term capacity for river stewardship, storytelling, and advocacy on Wild and Scenic River issues and campaigns. Learn more.
Planning a Restoration Project? Get Funded
Are you planning, designing, or implementing on-the-ground restoration projects that will restore river flows and/or recharge ground water? Would you like the opportunity to share your projects with businesses who may be interested in providing support for your projects? If the answer is “Yes!” be sure to check out the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank, a new opportunity for paid members of River Network to use a national platform to attract funding.
Upcoming Webinars & Events
Drinking Water 101a: Understanding the Basics of Drinking Water Sources, Treatment, and Quality
March 7, 2:30–4 pm EST. One of two webinars on drinking water processes, policies, and protection. Led by Maria Lopez-Carbo, Deputy Division Director for Standards & Risk Management in EPA’s Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water. This is a free webinar. Register here.
Drinking Water 101b: Understanding the Basics of Drinking Water Sources, Treatment, and Quality
March 14, 2:30–4 pm EST. This webinar covers the history and purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Act and how drinking water regulations and standards are established and implemented by EPA, the states, and water utilities. This is a free webinar. Learn more and register.
Engaging A Broader Cross-Section of Your Community
March 20, 1-2:15 pm EST. Learn to make community engagement more effective by involving a broader cross-section of your community in water-related initiatives. Build a shared sense of ownership of your local natural resources. This is a premium webinar open to paid River Network members only. Register.
Wild and Scenic Rivers: Plug-and-Play River Celebration Opportunities
April 5, 12–1:20 pm MST. 2018 marks the 50 year anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. Join us to learn about how your organization can easily put on celebration events including film festivals, video contests, and more! This is a free webinar. Learn more and register.
World Water Day: March 22nd
March 22nd is the United Nations World Water Day. Join the EarthEcho Water Challenge (formerly World Water Monitoring Challenge), a program of EarthEcho International that runs through December. The campaign helps equips communities to protect water resources. Find out how you can participate in building public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of local waters. Find resources to:
Organize a Water Monitoring Event. Order an EarthEcho Water Challenge test kit, pick a local body of water, and bring your community together to connect to and monitor your local water resources.
Share Your Story. Share your work monitoring water and taking action to protect water resources on social media using the hashtag #MonitorWater. Share the stories of your local waters, the challenges they face, and actions you and your community members are taking to protect these critical resources.
Protect Your Waterways. Organize a beach or river cleanup, educate members of your community about water quality, plant trees and native plants to prevent erosion, or implement changes in your school or work place to save water. EarthEcho Water Challenge offers a variety of tools to help take action.
Learn more at the EarthEcho Water Challenge website.
Resources
Careers & Professional Opportunities
Check out our network’s job board for the latest water-stewardship career opportunities. Have a job to post? Submit a job here.
Funding Opportunities
Paid River Network members enjoy this premium benefit! Submit projects to the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank. Learn more.
River-Science Connection
Do you need science or technical support? River Network members can post detailed requests at the River Science Connection. Get paired with the right resource.
Contact Us
Are you looking for training in water stewardship, organization leadership development, or water science and policy analysis? Contact us.
