2020 was quite a year. Floods, fires, water shutoffs, civil unrest, racial injustice, the health crisis of COVID-19, and economic hardship. Our society, our families, and our hearts have all been pushed and pulled, towards worry and grief as well as recovery and resilience, nearly continuously. There is a sense of exhaustion and fatigue in… Read More ›
Blog
Engaging Youth and Communities for Impact in 2020
by River NetworkImpact in 2020 looked very different for River Network and the groups we serve. How did we help get groups, and especially youth, on the water and cleaning up the water, despite it all? Cultivating community and youth stewardship of our waters was no less important this year – in fact, it was more important… Read More ›
Fostering Community Leadership – A Tool for Equitable Climate Resilience
by Hannah MicoBuilding Strong Champions for Local Impact
by Brenna GogginWe say it a lot: River Network connects local watershed organizations across the country, empowering them with tools, training, and resources. But what does this really mean? What does it look like to “build strong champions,” as our strategic plan puts it, and to support Organizational Sustainability & Planning, Leadership Development, and Professional Development for… Read More ›
Connecting Local Groups to National Funding for Groundwater Replenishment
by Kellie KreissThe Clean Water Act in 2020: Celebrate the Successes Today
by Colleen WaltersPar for the course in 2020, the Clean Water Act (the Act) has seen better days. As we mark its 48th anniversary on October 18, 2020, it is now more important than ever to keep fighting for our rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. This year began with major rollbacks to protections for small streams and… Read More ›
River Rally 2021: A Second Virtual Experience!
by Nicole SilkLast spring, we made an extraordinary decision to take River Rally 2020 virtual in order to protect our community and our team from the health risks of COVID-19. With only six weeks to completely remake our annual event, learn new technology, and reframe expectations, River Rally 2020 was a success, thanks to the patience and… Read More ›
YOU Can Make a BIG Difference and Help Get Out the Vote in 2020
by April IngleAdvancing Racial Justice
by Megan NguyenAn Update from River Network’s Staff Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
by River Network Staff EDI CommitteeOver the course of the past decade, River Network’s work on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has deepened significantly, focusing on both internal aspects of our organization and external programming. Initially, much of that work happened organically and, admittedly, somewhat haphazardly. A staff person tweaking one aspect of a program here (often in response to… Read More ›
Using Community Led Science to Manage Wild and Scenic Rivers with the National Park Service
by Katherine BaerWhat do dragonfly collection, snorkeling to observe mussels and bioassessment workshops on Wild and Scenic Rivers have in common? This summer, these activities are part of three of the seven projects selected for funding as part of a new partnership between River Network and the National Park Service. All around the country community-based organizations are… Read More ›
“Masks On, Litter Gone”: Innovating Through Corporate Support
by Karla NoboaAs we near the fall and continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all adjusted to new ways of living and working. Creativity in programming has come to the forefront and new, exciting initiatives are popping up all over the network and the world. At River Network, we knew there had to be… Read More ›
Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Partnership Funding Awards 2020
by Katherine BaerFor the second year, River Network is working with the US Forest Service (USFS) to provide local organizations with funding for their work to steward our many, diverse Wild and Scenic Rivers. These rivers flow throughout the country and help protect some of the nation’s free flowing rivers, providing opportunities for recreation, protecting drinking water,… Read More ›