River Rally 2026 Recap
Last month, 390 members of this nationwide network gathered in San Antonio, Texas—or yanaguana, “Land of the Spirit Waters,” to use the language we were gifted by Coahuiltecan community members. It was a week full of learning, inspiration, and renewal as we considered the water challenges heading our way and how we might address them as a connected and empowered movement.
Members of the Ah Manam Spiritual Group guiding River Rally attendees in a water blessing at the Welcome Reception. Photo by Vanessa Velazquez.
River Rally 2026 came at a pivotal moment for our collective water future. Through relationship-building, policy solutions, and a successful public interest campaign, water leaders in the state passed Proposition 4, which will provide $1 billion a year for 20 years to improve statewide water infrastructure. We came together to celebrate this victory at River Rally and get answers to the question on every water advocate’s mind: How can other states replicate this monumental water win?
This question was answered in part during the first River Rally plenary, “The Voice of the Many: Securing Water Funding for Texas,” featuring speakers from the Texas Water Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Bayou City Waterkeeper, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation. Here, we heard honest reflections about what it takes to build trust between statewide representatives and environmental organizations.
“I’m very proud of the fact that we have literally changed the water outcome for our state. We still have more work to do and and I know we’re gonna do it, but we were headed down one path and we are now headed down a different path that has more reasonable and rational solutions.”
Jennifer Walker, Director of the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation & 2026 Legacy Awardee
We kicked off the first full day of River Rally with twelve immersive field trips, organized and subsidized by the San Antonio River Authority, presenting sponsor of River Rally. Attendees were bussed around the Texas Hill Country to learn about the San Antonio River’s connection to Indigenous creation stories, groundwater research and management, integrated river management via kayaks, and so much more.
Tuesday’s session block featured conversations on data centers, floodplain management, media training, and building a water career in 2026. In “Community-Led Grantmaking: What’s Funded When the Community Leads,” participants of River Network’s Flow Fund Circle shared what is possible through trust-based philanthropy.
Attendees of the Leaders of Color Reception at River Rally.
San Antonio also saw the 4th Leaders of Color (LOC) event, sponsored by Earthjustice and hosted by River Network’s Rakeem Ford. Gathering at a speakeasy beneath a disco ball shark, more than 60 leaders of color, many of whom were first-time attendees of River Rally, came together for an evening of community building. The event included an interactive “Fact or Cap” icebreaker game, a presentation highlighting the mission of LOC and encouraging attendees to join the group, and peer networking and fellowship.
As the only staff person at our organization, this work can be lonely and isolating. River Rally provides a unique opportunity to connect with my people. It is inspiring, invigorating, and gives me motivation to continue supporting our rivers, streams, and communities.”
Emily Vail, Executive Director of the Hudson River Watershed Alliance
Wednesday morning began with a reminder of our deep, human connection to water. Moderated by River Network board member, Dr. Mel Lewis, the second River Rally plenary reminded us that water is not a resource, but a relative. Through a moving and urgent call to action from seven Indigenous artists, “Artists and Advocates: A Water Arts Showcase for a Unified Movement,” grounded us in a collective vision for water protection led by those who have stewarded these lands and waters for centuries.
“We consider [water] our relative. I deeply implore each of y’all who will continue to work in spaces where water is a topic to completely disavow that idea that she is a resource. Language is incredibly powerful.”
Sunshine- Do’wal Sehi, Indigenous Resistance Artist, Educator, Language Keeper
Later, at Confluence Park, we celebrated seven astonishing advocates whose dedication and persistence are paving the way toward an equitable water future. Learn more about these awardees and stay tuned for a deeper storytelling series about these incredible water and community protectors this summer.
2026 Awardees
I’ve met inspiring people from across the country and across the spectrum of careers and experiences, enriching my imagination and vision for what can be.”
Andrea Lubberts, Program Manager at Plaster Creek Stewards (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and 2026 River Hero
Attendees of the SRF State Advocates Forum Community Convening.
In a first at River Rally, our final day was a full day of programming as we piloted Deep Dives and Community Convenings: longer sessions designed to forge partnerships and build a cohesive path forward. River Rally sponsor American Rivers hosted “Build and Connect the Water Movement,” which sought to unlock the full power of the water movement. The Water Foundation also hosted a day-long session where funders could reflect on the needs voiced at River Rally and consider philanthropy’s response.
Amongst partners, river advocates, community leaders, policy experts, and funders, the week was a rewarding reminder of the clear and unwavering commitment water work has amongst so many diverse people and communities from coast to coast… Despite the range of subject matter, people I connected with were not lamenting the challenges, but driving toward a better future.”
Allison Harvey Turner, CEO of The Water Foundation
In the afternoon, staff at the Rio Grande International Study Center led a deep dive into the escalating impacts of the border wall on the Rio Grande River. A panel of speakers from community members to scientists shared the already devastating environmental and social implications of the wall and buoy system in the Rio Grande and its impact on their lives in an incredibly moving discussion.
We are proud to say that the 26th River Rally may be the most place-based event yet, featuring Texas stories and solutions in over one third of learning sessions. Over the coming months, we will begin to make plans for the next River Rally. In the meantime, we are feeling immense gratitude for this network who showed up to learn, connect, and celebrate the water wins of the last few years. We are already looking forward to being together again. Here’s how you can stay connected until we meet again:
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