What's New at River Network
Check out our new Water, Energy and Climate Change website!
05/03/08
River Network's newest website - Water, Energy and Climate Change -- has just launched. Click here for information on how to save energy by saving water, and for links to valuable reports and presentations. Our site is still rapidly growing, so be sure to visit often.
River Rally Registration is Open!
02/01/08
Have you been waiting to register for the 2008 National River Rally? Now is your chance. Just go to the Rally website today!
River Network is growing!
01/14/08
River Network is very excited to announce the arrival of FIVE new staff to our wonderful organization.
Mary Ellen Olcese Mary Ellen is joining River Network's staff as Mid-Atlantic Program Manager. She will lead our efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Region and Mid-Atlantic states, bringing more than twenty years of organizational development and fundraising experience to our expanding programs, the past eight as an independent consultant providing professional services to local nonprofits, including many watershed and river groups working on Chesapeake Bay issues.
Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, PA, Mary Ellen's early years were consumed with an athletic career as a competitive swimmer on the national and international level, achieving national champion and world record status in the 400 Individual Medley. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and received a Masters degree in Education from Boston University. Prior to moving to the Eastern Shore of MD in 1987, she coached college swimming for 10 years at Northeastern University, Springfield College and Eastern Michigan University.
Mary Ellen resides in St. Michaels, MD with husband, John and daughter, Maura, Oscar the basset hound and Gil the cat. In her free time, she enjoys working outside- particularly gardening, running and traveling to unique places.
Merritt Frey Merritt is joining River Network's staff as the Western Clean Water Act Project Manager. She will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and brings over a decade of Clean Water Act experience on the federal and state levels to her new position, with a focus on water quality standards, pollution control permits and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
Merritt has most recently been the Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council. Under her leadership, the organization became a leader on Clean Water Act advocacy, proposed and passed important legislation on water conservation, pushed Wild and Scenic Rivers protection forward in the state, and doubled annual major donor giving.
Before taking over at the Council, Merritt worked for the Clean Water Network and the Natural Resources Defense Council organizing more than 1000 groups to influence Clean Water Act policy in Washington, DC. At the Clean Water Network, she also developed an expertise in specific Clean Water Act tools such as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) permitting and TMDLs.
Merritt was a recipient of the W.C. Kenney Foundation's Leadership Grant ('05-'07) and was recently appointed by the Governor to the Utah Water Quality Board. If you can believe she has any spare time, she is an avid angler and backpacker.
Julie Noble A recent graduate of Portland State University with a BS degree in Geography, Julie joins River Network as our newest Partnership Program Intern. Julie will coordinate online resources for our Partners, provide assistance to the Partnership and other programs, and lead a major project to update the online National Directory of River and Watershed Groups.
Growing up on the Hudson River and taking weeklong adventures with her family all along the river in their little lemon yellow skiff, her pride and respect for all rivers grew into a passion. After living on the banks of the Hudson, Merrimack, Charles and Danube rivers, Julie fell in love with Portland, and now calls the Willamette Basin home. When she's not helping save rivers, Julie likes to take advantage of bike-friendly Portland, collect vinyl records and work on her friend's online database of urban wild food sources.
Bevan Griffith-Sattenspiel With a keen interest in global warming, Bevan joins River Network as our Saving Energy by Saving Water Intern. He will be working closely with Don Elder as we launch this exciting new program nationwide this year, and also helping develop online materials and a new Water-Energy Use Calculator.
Born and raised in Salem, OR, Bevan spent the past few years in Los Angeles, where he attended Occidental College, graduating in May with a BA in American Studies-Environmental Emphasis, and interning for New America Foundation's Political Reform Program. After attending the Alliance Toward Harnessing Global Opportunities' UN Forum on Climate Change, Bevan realized 1) he really wanted to do environmental work, and 2) his true home is in the Northwest. Besides learning more about water, energy and global warming, Bevan's main interests include surfing and snowboarding, which in Oregon you can do both in the same day!
JR Ralston JR joins River Network as our newest Staff Accountant. After 16 years working as a corporate controller, JR decided to swim in the nonprofit world. Before graduating from the University of Oregon with a BS in Physical Education, and gaining a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University, JR spent her youth in Oakridge, OR, with the Willamette River for a backyard and the Willamette National Forest for a playground. She even had a summer stint with the Forest Service as an "owl hooter". When she's not crunching numbers, JR enjoys running, bird and wildlife watching, fishing and camping.
IM Rivers-Major Discount for River Network Partners
01/11/08
For the past year, River Network has provided assistance to Wansoo IM and Vertices, LLC to develop an easy to use, interactive internet mapping application using Google Maps API and federal and state Internet GIS services. Dozens of groups have tested this system in their watersheds.
Now, it is ready for you to use in yours!
What can you do with IMRivers? Imagine this: You are out on the river and see a violation. You take a photo or video, capture waypoint coordinates using any GPS unit and upload the digital file with your notes directly to your IMRivers mapsite -either directly on the river via a wireless connection or when you get back to the office. Within minutes, agency officials, stakeholders, the media and the public can see what is going on. The violation's time and place are precisely documented and recorded. Just like that!
How much does it cost? Click here for more information, including case studies from Hurricane Creekkeeper (AL), Muddy Water Watch Citizen Patrols (NC) and Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (CT).
Building Watershed Capacity in the Chesapeake
01/07/08
Picking up the reins from Pat Munoz, Mary Ellen Olcese, (our new Mid-Atlantic Program Manger), will be leading River Network's expanding efforts in the region, with a particular focus on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. Surrounded by Virginia and Maryland, the Bay's watershed covers 64,000 square miles and parts of six states (NY, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, plus DC). More than 150 rivers and streams drain into the Bay.
Federal, state and local governments, academic groups, foundations, and environmental nonprofits have been supporting restoration and protection programs throughout the Chesapeake Bay for more than two decades. These efforts have produced significant results in the health and productivity of the Bay, its tributaries, and the ecosystems that compose the larger Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Today, however, the Bay is still substantially impaired in terms of pollution, and much less productive than it used to be because of runoff from urban areas and farms, increasing population and new development, over harvesting, and invasion of foreign species.
River Network's recent surveys of the needs of river conservation groups in the Chesapeake Bay...Read More
Turn Holiday Shopping into Donations for River Network!
12/01/07
If you could give River Network up to 26% or more of every Holiday purchase you make this season (or any day of the year for that matter) … would you?
That’s exactly what happens when you join the online community called iGive.com. It doesn’t cost a cent to join and once you’re a member, every time you shop at over 680 stores in the Mall at iGive.com, River Network gets a percentage of each purchase you make-at no cost to you!
So sign up today and let your shopping make a difference!
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Now Accepting River Hero Nominations
11/30/07
The National River Heroes Award celebrates rivers and those who protect them by recognizing some of our victories and honoring those who provide us with leadership and inspiration along the way. Deadline for Nominations is Feb. 8, 2008 (deadline based upon the postmark).
The Nomination Form and relevant information can be here.
Support River Network with your Holiday (or any other) shopping
11/29/07
Looking to give the gift of rivers while supporting rivers? Look no further! Go to Marketplace today and get discounts on Tim Palmer's Rivers of America 2008 Calendar and photo book, Your True Nature river journals and postcards, river scene note cards, River Rally t-shirts, publications and more. You can even make a donation to River Network. Thanks!
2008 National River Rally Call for Workshops
10/12/07
River Network is now accepting workshop proposals for River Rally 2008, to be held May 2-5 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, OH. The River Rally is a unique learning and training opportunity for professional and volunteer river and watershed leaders. Now is the chance for you to pass along your knowledge and expertise in one (or more) of the nearly 100 workshops that will be offered. Scholarships are available to workshop presenters.
Proposals should be submitted online by 5 pm (Pacific Time) Nov. 8, 2007. Decisions regarding workshops will be made no later than Dec. 31, 2007.
Click here to submit an application or for more information.
10/01/07
The Rivers Awareness Partnership is an exciting new partnership between Tom’s of Maine, River Network and American Rivers.
Tom’s of Maine is generously providing $1 million in support over five years to our organizations to enhance awareness, understanding and, ultimately, protection of rivers nationwide. Read more
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Tom & Kate Chappell visit San Francisco and Portland, OR to Announce Tom’s of Maine Rivers Awareness program
10/01/07
Tom and Kate Chappell, Co-Founders of Tom’s of Maine will travel to San Francisco, California and Portland, Oregon to announce the company’s Rivers Awareness Program with their partners -- River Network and American Rivers. The announcement will include a pledge of $1 million over 5 years to the River organizations. The Chappells will participate in more than a dozen events with retailers, non-profit partners, local river activists and the media. They will also discuss the company’s values, how they align with consumers and their 37 year commitment to green, safe, effective natural products.
Rivers Awareness is Tom’s of Maine’s second 5 year River partnership – Tom’s has a longstanding commitment to valuing rivers based on the company’s first statement of belief that “ . . . both human beings and nature have inherent worth and deserve our respect.” www.tomsofmaine.com/about/statement.asp
Here’s your chance to meet Tom and Kate Chappell, the co-founders of Tom’s of Maine, and staff from American Rivers and River Network. Learn about the wonderful natural products from Tom’s of Maine and get free samples!
San Francisco, California:
1) Store event at Elephant Pharmacy (Los Altos)
When: Monday, October 1, 4:30-6pm
Where: Elephant Pharmacy, Los Altos, 4470 El Camino Real
Phone: 650-472-6800
2) Store event at Elephant Pharmacy (Walnut Creek)
When: Tuesday, October 2, 4:30-6pm
Where: Elephant Pharmacy, Walnut Creek, 1388 S. California Blvd
Phone: 925-658-5300
Portland, Oregon:
1) Store event at New Seasons Market
When: Friday, October 5, 4:00 to 6:00pm
Where: New Seasons Market, Arbor Lodge, 6400 N Interstate Ave, Portland
Phone: 503-467-4777
Hope to see you at these events!
Check out RN Spotlight for more on this exciting new partnership!
Welcome River Network’s newest staff members!
10/01/07
Dawn DiFuria of Boise, Idaho has joined River Network as our newest Program Associate helping watershed groups across the country. Her primary duties will be to assist River Network Organizational Development Director, Wendy Wilson, to build support services through the Watershed Support Network (WSN). Right away, Dawn will be working on updating group training needs and priorities, assuring online access for trainers to our survey data, and coordinating training and communications between participating states. With her background in program management and web-based systems, Dawn is a wonderful new addition to our staff. In her spare time, Dawn is a river guide on Idaho’s Payette River.
Ryan Carter is our new Technical Support Associate, providing in-house technical wizardry and keeping our systems up and running so we can serve you more effectively and efficiently. The moment he started the staff breathed a collective sigh of relief as long-overdue fixes and updates were made. Ryan comes from a technical support and web design background, and manages to handle our (sometimes unreasonable) requests with professionalism and candor. He has already taken the lead on assessing our software and hardware inventory, and we look forward to becoming ever more organized and streamlined with his assistance.
We look forward to having Dawn and Ryan on the River Network team! Welcome!
Workplace Giving Season
10/01/07
Fall is the time of change and renewal, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting the environment during your workplace giving campaign.
River Network participates in the federal employee Combined Federal Campaign (CFC# 10407) and is a proud member of Earth Share of Oregon, Conservation and Preservation Charities of America and Independent Charities of America.
You can make a difference - thanks for your support!
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Training for Trainers Dec 5-8
09/29/07
River Network and Watershed Support Network are pleased to accept applications for the Training for Trainers workshop to be held December 5-8 in Seabeck, Washington.
More information is available on the application. We hope you can join us!
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Don Elder interviewed on Meet the Planet
09/16/07
(Audio link) Don discusses the watershed movement on Meet the Planet, a national radio talk show heard on Sirius Satellite radio, Channel 114 (LIME). Don's segment is towards the end -- show takes a few minutes to download.
Welcome River Network’s newest Board members!
09/15/07
In September, River Network elected three new members to serve on River Network’s Board of Trustees: Barb Horn, Aquatic Biologist, Colorado Division of Wildlife (CO); Baljit Wadhwa, Social Research Analyst, Calvert Group (MD); and Robert Zimmerman, Executive Director, Charles River Watershed Association (MA).
Barb Horn, Aquatic Biologist, Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW)
Barb has worked for more than twenty-five years as a Habitat Biologist with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. She represents the CDOW regarding aquatic wildlife and water quality issues. This includes testifying, reviewing documents, writing, participating in negotiations, and participating in processes to obtain and assess data for watershed issues that primarily include use attainability assessment, remediation, restoration or regulatory/legislative actions such as discharge permits allocations, Superfund sites, Clean Water Action Plan Unified Watersheds, and Total Maximum Daily Loads.
In the mid 1980’s, Barb started Colorado River Watch - a school-based volunteer monitoring program that has grown to include over 100 schools throughout the state. Additionally, Barb worked with other coordinators to initiate the Rocky Mountain Watersheds Volunteer Network, a collaborative effort designed to share experiences among volunteer groups in the Rocky Mountain region. Her strong belief that education is essential to protecting water resources is demonstrated throughout her work. In 2001, Barb was recognized as a National River Hero. In 2004, she was inducted into the Colorado Non-Point Source Council Hall of Fame.
Baljit (Bava) Wadhwa, Social Research Analyst, Calvert Group
With over $15 billion under management, Calvert is the leading family of socially responsible mutual funds in the United States. Bava provides Indigenous Peoples’ rights and human rights analysis to business practices in Calvert’s Social Research Department. In this role she reviews corporate policies, programs and performance in connection with indigenous territories, cultures, environment, and livelihoods. Bava also examines corporate performance for positive portrayals of indigenous people and their religious and cultural heritage. In addition, she lends her environmental expertise to Calvert’s Environment and Climate Change team. Her recent research and advocacy efforts include launch of Calvert’s new Global Alternative Energy Fund and securing significant commitments for climate change disclosure from leading U.S. insurance companies.
Prior to joining Calvert in late 2005, Bava worked with AMEC plc as a Senior Human Environment Consultant facilitating traditional knowledge studies with aboriginal communities and integrating the information into environmental and socio-economic impact assessments for proposed developments. She is also experienced in domestic and international stakeholder engagement having facilitated roundtables on corporate social responsibility and poverty reduction for DFID and CIDA and numerous community (including aboriginal communities) consultations for a range of clients.
Robert Zimmerman, Executive Director, Charles River Watershed Association
Founded in 1965, CRWA is a nonprofit environmental advocacy, research, and education group charged with using science and the law to protect and enhance the Charles River and its watershed. Since joining CRWA in 1991, Bob has raised public and regulatory awareness of issues on the Charles and increased membership from 600 to 6000. Over the past dozen years, CRWA has become a leading authority on the science of how water works in urban watersheds, and has developed pilot projects that address issues such as stormwater pollution, water quality, low instream flow, nutrient loading, habitat protection and restoration, community zoning, suburban sprawl and sustainable development.
A leader in the state’s environmental community, Bob seeks non-traditional solutions to old environmental problems. He has been appointed by three different governors to the Massachusetts Water Resources Commission, and he represents the environmental community on several statewide task forces. He has served on numerous boards, including EarthShare of New England, EarthShare America, and the MIT Sea Grant Advisory Board. He also served two terms as an elected member of the Littleton, Massachusetts, Board of Health.
Prior to working at CRWA, he co-founded and was the Headmaster of the National Sports Academy at Lake Placid, a boarding school offering a complete preparatory curriculum and world-class training programs for winter sports athletes.
Mark Taylor winner of the Busch River Network Whitewater Weekend Adventure!
09/14/07
Mark Taylor won the sweepstakes drawing and brought five members of his family along for a weekend adventure in the Columbia River Gorge.
After enjoying dinner and overnight stay at the renowned Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA (site of the 2003 and 2007 National River Rally), Mark, along with River Network staff and employees from Maletis Beverage of Portland (an Anheuser-Busch distributor), spent a sunny afternoon riding the Class III & IV rapids of the White Salmon River, culminating with a 10-foot drop over Husum Falls.
That evening, we headed out to Wishbone Campground in Lyle, WA above the Klickitat River, enjoyed a delicious Dutch Oven meal prepared by River Network staffers Katherine Luscher and Matt Burke, pitched some horseshoes with an amazing sunset view down the Columbia River, partook in a few hops-infused beverages, and celebrated Mark’s brother-in-law’s 50th birthday. Now don’t you wish you had entered?
In addition, as part of our program with Busch Beer, funds are being used for an on-the-ground restoration project. It just so happens that Mark is the new executive director of the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association-a River Network Partner. Based on some “campfire” conversations, we will be awarding a grant to NSEA so they can hire interns this fall to assist with collection of field data and coordinate restoration efforts directly related to Salmon Recovery in Whatcom County, WA. www.n-sea.org
“River Network believes that strong community-based groups are our best opportunity to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, streams, estuaries and watersheds,” says Don Elder, president of River Network. “We are grateful that Anheuser-Busch continues its support to help preserve our precious waters for all people, wildlife and future generations, and strongly believe that this renewed financial investment will pay great long-term dividends to the citizens of Oregon and Washington”.
“We are pleased to work with River Network to create awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers and particularly to help protect rivers in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jim Gorczyca, director of value brands for Anheuser-Busch. “For more than 100 years, our company has had a rich tradition of protecting the environment, including our water resources so that future generations will be able to enjoy them just as we do.”
Thanks again to Anheuser-Busch and Busch Beer for their generous support, and congratulations to Mark and his family!
River Network is Hiring!
09/01/07
Do you have a love of rivers and a desire to help people save them? River Network is currently seeking to fill the position of full-time Mid-Atlantic Program Manager.
River Network's mission is to help people understand, protect and restore rivers and their watersheds. Our business is connecting people and saving rivers.
Visit www.rivernetwork.org/jobs.php for more information.
Marketplace back online
08/01/07
River Network's new and improved Marketplace is now up and running. Easily view and order publications, merchandise, pay your Partner dues or make a contribution. Click here to start shopping today.
New River Network Publication
07/26/07
Cancer Downstream: A Citizen's Guide to Investigating Pollution/Health Connections Order your copy today!
We'll miss you Pat!
07/12/07
On July 12, dozens of friends and colleagues commemorated the countless contributions of Pat Munoz with a celebratory “retirement” party. For more than 25 years, Pat has played a variety of crucial roles in shaping, energizing, and building the capacity of the river conservation movement. At American Rivers for 16 years, and with River Network for the past fourteen, Pat has been fundraiser, development guru, queen of grassroots advocacy, and occasional rabble rouser. Literally scores of watershed groups around the country owe their current robustness to Pat’s tutelage and wisdom. Hers is an extraordinary legacy. Thanks Pat!
2007 River Rally a great success!
06/01/07
More than 510 watershed stewards from 44 states and beyond (including non-profit organizations, Native American tribal members, municipalities, state and federal agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals) gathered together to learn from and support each other at the eighth annual National River Rally, held May 18-22 at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA.
Evaluation highlights that best describe Rally include:
“How could we not benefit from Rally?!? Since then [2006 Rally], we've rebuilt our board of directors, implemented fundraising strategies and much more. All of this growth and success is a direct benefit of our attendance at River Rally. (And if we haven't said it enough already - Thank you, River Network)”
“I work alone much of the time on a watershed that is far too big for me. Often, I struggle with maintaining a positive attitude and avoiding burnout. Meeting hundreds of other "river people" allowed me to re-focus on my work and be confident that my friends were doing their part, so all I had to do was mine.”
“What was the most useful in terms of knowledge gathering and networking was a combination of workshops and meeting peers from across the nation. It's a lovely and amazing opportunity to get quality education from the diverse selections of workshops and to be able to expand my existing network tenfold.”
You can read the full 2007 National River Rally Final Report here.
Turn Your Everyday Online Shopping Into Donations for River Network
05/01/07
iGive.com is FREE to join. Plus, you'll gain access to Free Shipping offers and exclusive savings, on top of the great deals you'll find every day through our network of 650+ stores. Best of all, up to 26% of your purchase at each store is donated to River Network. Many of these contributions could even be considered tax-deductible*.
iGive.com is giving away an extra $5 donation to River Network for every new member who joins and makes a purchase within 45 days. That's on top of the usual percentage of your purchase which is donated!
To get started, please visit: www.iGive.com/RN
eStream - River Network's Monthly e-newsletter - in publication again!
12/12/06
It has been a little while since the last issue of eStream. We took a break over the summer to develop an all-new format. Each month we will let you know what’s new at River Network; highlight the work of one of our Partner organizations; share the latest in Tim Palmer’s exclusive series “Dispatches from the Rivers”; and feature some of the many individuals, organizations, businesses, foundations and agencies that make our work possible.
So go ahead—Sign Up Today—and get your feet wet in the new eStream!
Limited edition river scene note cards
11/07/06
Available now - only $10 for a five-pack of cards with envelopes, featuring river scene photos by Tim Palmer from his new book, Rivers of America. Visit Marketplace to order your cards today.
River Network Wins Stonyfield Bid with Your Lid Campaign!
11/03/06
Thanks to your votes (and eating lots of Stonyfield yogurt this summer), River Network finished in First Place in the Stonyfield Bid with Your Lid campaign. We received 91,363 votes, nearly 42% of the final tally. The total donation to River Network will be $36,697. We are very grateful to Stonyfield Farm for including River Network in this campaign, and to all of the people who voted for us. Thank you!
Choose the Environment this Fall with Workplace Giving Campaigns
11/01/06
Fall is the time of change and renewal, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting the environment during your workplace giving campaign. River Network participates in the federal employee Combined Federal Campaign (#2371) and is a proud member of two workplace giving campaigns: the Conservation and Preservation Charities of America and Earth Share of Oregon. Click for more information.
Welcome to the New River Network Website!
10/19/06
Want to network with your peers? Find out what other groups are doing and how they're doing it? Want training and consultation services? Want to post your success stories or events for others to see? Then check out the Need Help? tab on the top navigation bar. Looking for specific resources? Check out our vast, searchable Resource Library. Or download materials to aid you with your fundraising. Or order one of our many educational publications. Just go to the Resources tab in Need Help?. Looking to find out more about River Network's specific programs and how they might help your group? Go to Our Work. Are you already a Partner? Just click Partners on the top nav bar. You can then log-in to get all of the special benefits only available to Partners. As you may have noticed, we've redesigned our website. Both the overall look and navigation have been updated! So go ahead - paddle around - and please let us know what you think about our new site!
Special Offer for You-15% Discount on Rivers of America
09/19/06
Anyone who has ever paddled down, fished in, or relaxed along one of America’s rivers understands their power to nourish, inspire, and enchant--but until now, no book has truly captured the river’s majesty.
Award-winning author, conservationist, and photographer Tim Palmer has spent his life exploring and learning about these sometimes peaceful, sometimes turbulent waterways, and in the pages of Rivers of America he shares his amazing images.
Proceeds Benefit River Network. Get Your Discount Today
Winners Have Great Fun on Busch River Network River Trip
09/18/06
AG Flynn and five of her friends enjoyed a weekend adventure in the Columbia River Gorge, compliments of the Busch Beer River Network River Trip Contest. After spending the evening at Skamania Lodge (where we will host the 2007 National River Rally), it was off to the White Salmon for a day of Class III and IV whitewater rafting (including a spill over 10' Husum Falls!), followed by a Dutch Oven feast and camping under the stars near the Klickitat River. See photos of our adventure here. Read more about our conservation partnership with Busch Beer in the Pacific Northwest.
