Blog

Scaling Up Local Capacity for Multi-Benefit Watershed Projects

What kinds of support do small, rural organizations need to lead multi-benefit watershed projects? It varies, but the need for additional capacity support to lead these projects is huge, and River Network and our partners in Colorado are coordinating to deliver that support. What Are Multi-Benefit Projects? These are river/watershed protection, conservation, and enhancement projects... Read More

$2 Billion Available Now to Advance Equitable Climate Resilience and Pollution

A flooded park with trees and swing sets, set against the Houston, Texas skyline.

Across the network community-based groups are organizing to address pollution and build resilience to climate change in their communities. Now, through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) the EPA has launched the groundbreaking Community Change Grants Program investing an unprecedented $2 billion in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit “disadvantaged communities.” It will fund projects… Read More

Reflecting on World Day of Social Justice

For me, the term social justice brings up a few concepts: fairness, equality, well-being, rights, opportunity, community. The United Nations notes, “social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security with and among nations…” In honoring the work that has already been done in the name of social... Read More

Water Policies for 30×30: The America the Beautiful for All Coalition 2024 Policy Agenda

Photo by Vanessa Velazquez.

Over the last two years, River Network has served on the Steering Committee of the America the Beautiful for All Coalition. This ambitious and extraordinary coalition brings together land, freshwater, and ocean advocates to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and oceans by 2030 centered on equity with twin goals to: Conserve, connect and restore at… Read More

Changing Narratives in Milwaukee with Water Infrastructure Dollars

Milwaukee Water Commons 2022 We are Water Event brings neighbors from around the city to the shore of Lake Michigan to celebrate their shared relationship with water. (Photo credit - Joe Brusky.)
We often talk about: what is the wraparound community benefit of these programs? And how is it changing that narrative of segregation in Milwaukee?” -Joe Fitzgerald, Policy and Advocacy Manager with Milwaukee Water Commons Learn about our federal funding support. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has global recognition as a water-centric city, however depending on where you live,... Read More

Help Ensure Lead Free, Safe Drinking Water for All!

Almost 50 years ago, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) giving a mandate to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep our drinking water safe. Congress banned the installation of lead pipes to deliver drinking water in 1986 because it recognized the dangers of lead exposure. However, millions across the country still have... Read More

Network Success Born from Online Learning

Shelby Cline and Colleen Walters contributed to this piece. We've found the SRF Advocacy Training Series and Toolkit to be extremely useful and have even directed more of our staff members to complete the training to learn more about our current SRF advocacy priorities. I actually keep the SRF Advocacy Toolkit up on my computer... Read More

Resilience and Connection in the Hudson River Valley

In our just-released 2023 Impact Report, you’ll meet the Hudson Valley Flood Resilience Network (FRN), a network of municipalities that addresses flooding, co-facilitated by longtime River Network member Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA). FRN and HRWA's work intersects with each of River Network's focus areas in unique ways. This relationship though, has its headwaters in... Read More

Unpacking the Barriers to Accessing Federal Dollars

Five white sandbags rest on a makeshift dam, holding back floodwater along a city street lined with trees. Some people are floating in a raft in the background.

In the wake of new legislation, communities and groups working on climate infrastructure are scrambling to take advantage of massive, newly available funding opportunities. The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act made more money than ever before available to fund climate resilient infrastructure. Billions of dollars in federal grants are… Read More

Collaboration Is Essential for Effective Water Advocacy

This post was co-written by members of River Network’s Policy Team, including Shelby Cline, April Ingle, Erin Kanzig, Campebell Simmons, and Colleen Walters. Successful advocacy for safe and affordable drinking water, healthy rivers, and climate-resilient communities requires equitably working within diverse coalitions of organizations and individuals to build the necessary power and influence to effect... Read More

River Network Launches New Tools to Support Network Advocacy

April Ingle leading a Clean Water Act Training at Alabama Water Rally. Photo courtesy Alabama Rivers Alliance.
This post was co-written by members of River Network's Policy Team, including Shelby Cline, April Ingle, Erin Kanzig, Campbell Simmons, and Colleen Walters. At River Network, we have a long history of developing tools and resources and offering training to help our network tackle the water issues they care about at the local, state, and... Read More

Inclusive Communications for the Water Movement

With the generous support of the Fresh Sound Foundation, we’re excited to announce our first ever Inclusive Communications guide. We’ve created this resource to provide both communications and accessibility guidance to the network. As more and more outreach and education moves online, it’s critical to ensure that our communications practices are accessible, ethical, and welcoming... Read More