Since 2010, River Network has partnered with Anheuser-Busch to produce the company’s World Environment Day series of employee and community volunteer events. River Network has supported a total of 150 volunteer events with Anheuser-Busch staff since the World Environment Day program began in 2010. Over the last eight years, events have been a tremendous success with nearly one million pounds of trash removed from rivers, lakes, and beaches and over 62,000 trees and plants planted. Nearly 54,000 volunteers have participated.

Here’s how it works: Every year, Anheuser-Busch staff from breweries, distributors, corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, and global headquarters, along with their family members, partner with nearly two dozen River Network member organizations across the US to clean up rivers, plant native trees and build rain gardens. Each project introduces volunteers to local efforts to protect and restore river flows and creates lasting relationships between businesses and River Network member organizations. Each member organization receives a grant to complete their project which covers staff time, materials, and meals for volunteers. In 2018 alone, River Network will distribute nearly $160,000 to support 22 unique watershed restoration projects in 18 states.

By partnering with the business community and leveraging our network 6,000+ local water-focused organizations, River Network is able to create a cohesive nationwide set of hands-on events which engage people in water conservation while support the efforts of our local members. Check out highlights of recent events, below.

Volunteers from Four Peaks Brewing build a curbside rain garden to capture stormwater in Tempe, AZ, with River Network member Watershed Management Group.

Staff from the Anheuser-Busch Houston, TX brewery, Longhorn Glass, and Silver Eagle Distributing join forces with Buffalo Bayou Partnership to re-plant riverbanks damaged by hurricane Harvey.

Hardy volunteers brave the snow in Littleton, CO, to clean up the South Platte River with Breckenridge Brewing and River Network.

More than 120 Anheuser-Busch staff and family members planted trees along the Cache la Poudre river in Fort Collins, CO, with the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

Carlos Brito (left) CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev celebrate a successful cleanup in New York City with Living Lands and Waters and City Parks Foundation.

Anheuser-Busch staff removed a refrigerator from the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Dallas, TX, with Groundwork Dallas.

Goose Island Brewing staff teamed up with Alliance for the Great Lakes to cleanup Montrose Beach in Chicago, IL.