Blog

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

by Campbell Simmons
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

by Grace Fullmer
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

by Katherine Baer
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

by Amy Boal
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!

by Shelby Cline
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

by Erin Kanzig
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

by Hannah Mico
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

by Campbell Simmons
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

by River Network
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

by River Network
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

by Ayana Harscoet
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 ›

Announcing This Year’s Wild & Scenic Stewardship Partners!

by Grace Fullmer

“Turtle Island Park, at the confluence of the North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette and the Middle Fork Willamette rivers, is an important recreation spot for the [Oregon] communities of Westfir and Oakridge as well as a location with promising habitat for native fish, wildlife, and plants. Funds from River Network will go a… Read More ›

Demanding Drainage Justice in Houston Through Evidence-Based Advocacy

by Diana Toledo
Five advocates stand in a city plaza holding a yellow sign that reads "When our streets flood we flood the streets."
Advocates in Houston. Photo courtesy WSR/NAC.

Survivors As Experts Formed during Hurricane Harvey by community members looking to help their neighbors survive and then recover from the historic floods of 2017, West Street Recovery (WSR) and its long-time partner, the Northeast Action Collective (NAC), are now focusing on changing the very systems that contribute to climate injustice in the majority Black… Read More ›