River Rally 2006 Stats and Highlights

The Mount Washington Hotel, perched high in New Hampshire's White Mountains, provided an ideal backdrop for River Network's 7th annual National River Rally held in May. What River Network president, Don Elder, summed up as "the best and biggest River Rally ever" took a year of planning and the participation of over 500 river leaders from around the country to enter the record books.

The River Rally '06 was attended by participants from 44 states and enhanced by the participation of representatives from several tribal organizations including the Taos Pueblo, Picuras Pueblo, Navaho Nation, Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Hanalei Watershed Hui, Wind River Alliance, Indigenous Waters Network, Yukon River Inter Tribal Watershed Council, Pueblo of Isleta, Mni Sose Intertribal Water Rights Coalition, Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, Penobscot Indian Nation, Anikwom, Pueblo of Sandia, and the Atakapa Tribe.

The River Rally is now considered the single best annual source for training, professional development, networking, strategy development, coalition building, campaign planning, celebration and personal renewal for leaders of the watershed protection community. It has become the focal point for increased collaboration among River Network and our sister regional and national groups. This year we enjoyed the active involvement and support of fifteen River Rally Cooperating Organizations including American Canoe Association, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Center for Watershed Protection, Charles River Watershed Association (MA), Clean Water Action, Clean Water Network, Connecticut River Watershed Council, Earth Force, Institute for Conservation Leadership, National River Cleanup Week, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, New Hampshire Rivers Council, Trout Unlimited, and Waterkeeper Alliance.

Among this year's keynote speakers were: Judith Spang, one of New Hampshire's leading environmental legislators and the treasurer of the Lamprey River Watershed Association; Dr. Robert Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, DOI/U.S. Geological Survey; and Robert Glennon, author of "Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America's Freshwaters".

In addition to the 101 workshops on this year's schedule, delegates took time to celebrate the national river conservation movement with the third annual Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, a number of side-meetings, and the prestigious River Heroes Awards Banquet. This year's banquet honored the achievements of five River Heroes: Gershon Cowen (Alaska), Larry Master (New York), Barry Sulkin (Tennessee), Bill Townsend (Maine), and Beth Maynor Young (Alabama). David Borden (New Hampshire) received River Network's highest honor, the 2006 James R. Compton Award for River Achievement. (See the full profiles on each recipient). The Heroes Banquet concluded in full swing with a celebratory contra dance enjoyed by all.

New Hampshire provided unsurpassed opportunities for our traditional Sunday afternoon field trips. This year's trips included Arethusa Falls Nature Hike, Dam Relicensing ~ Moore Reservoir Tour, Interpretive Nature Walk, Introduction to Flyfishing, Introduction to River Kayaking, Mountain Bike Trail Riding, and Water Trail Paddle. Participants value the change of pace by Sunday afternoon and the chance to get to know their Rally colleagues better in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Rally 2006 also featured the Rally's third annual Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival.

River Network will take the National River Rally to the west coast May 18-22, 2007 when it goes back to Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. Already a Washington planning committee has been convened, and River Network staff has begun preparations for bringing River Rally 2007 to the Columbia Gorge. Built upon the pillars of Inspiration, Education and Celebration, the River Rally has become an essential component of a national river conservation movement that is growing rapidly and gaining momentum and cohesion.