You’ve saved the date, now it’s time to get excited! Planning for River Rally 2026 is in full swing amongst the River Network team, and we could not be more excited to welcome you to San Antonio, Texas this May 11-14.

As our staff and partners work to build an intentional program, we’ve concluded there’s never been a more important moment to gather the Network for impactful learning, celebration, camaraderie, and community-building. Using feedback from many past River Rallies and the 2026 Rally Network Survey (open through 1/23/26), the planning team is working diligently to make River Rally as inclusive, welcoming, and responsive to the current moment as possible.

What to Expect at This River Rally 

• 35+ learning sessions delivered by Network partners, addressing topics like clean water policy, integrated river management, communications strategy, and organizational health.  
  • We heard you: sessions this year will feature more on hands-on training and interactive discussion than ever before! 
• Field trips inviting you to walk, roll, paddle, or ride your way through San Antonio and Texas Hill Country, engaging with a storied waterscape through the lens of local partners. 
  • We heard you: feeling immersed in accessible, place-based activities makes Rally feel special.
• Place-based plenary sessions focused on shared storytelling and audience interactivity. 
  • We heard you: plenaries that are fun, engaging, and feature real-world stories from boots-on-the ground advocates and Network members that aren’t often represented on a national stage leaves you feeling connected and energized.
• A Network celebration on the banks of the San Antonio River, as well as affinity spaces for first-time River Rally attendees and Leaders of Color. 
  • We heard you: intentional time for celebration, joy, and relationship-building is critical to the Rally experience.  
• Bringing back mentorship: one-on-one engagement opportunities with peer-experts from the Network to tackle your most pressing concerns. 
  • We heard you: more time to connect with thought leaders and technical experts outside of learning sessions makes your personal and professional investment in Rally more impactful.
• Community care guidance and a prepared Rally event team to ensure a safe and accessible experience for all attendees. 
  • We heard you: traveling and/or attending large events is a risk for some members of our Network, therefore we are making safety and accessibility a priority in planning conversations, including clear group agreements and investing in visual/audio access – you can find more information about safety and accessibility at Rally here.

2026 Rally Program Schedule: An Overview

About Our Local Planning Team 

As River Network prepares for Rally in May, know that we’re not doing this alone. An outstanding group of local partners in Texas has stepped up to serve as the Local Planning Team, giving on-the-ground insights and coordination support. Join us in thanking staff from: 

Scholarship Applications Open on January 21 

If you’re on the edge of your seat with excitement and wondering, “How do I sign up?” we have great news: scholarships for River Rally are officially open next week on January 21, 2026, and general registration will open February 4, 2026.  With this layered registration approach, our hope is for attendees to express their need for assistance before confirming their attendance. As we allocate scholarship funds, River Network team members will notify recipients of their award amount and confirm their ability to attend. Scholarship applications will be open until February 25, 2026.

Registration Timeline: An Overview 

We’ll share a complete event program by April 1, 2026. But, if you’d like to start planning, here are important dates to keep in mind: 

• January 21: Scholarship applications open* 

• February 4: General registration opens** 

• February 25: Scholarship applications close 

• May 11 at 1 pm CT: Rally kicks off with the Urban Waters Learning Network 

• May 11 at 5 pm CT: Rally First Timers Happy Hour precedes the Welcome Reception

• May 14 at 4 pm CT: Final River Rally event concludes 

*Scholarship awards will be sent and confirmed on a rolling basis, starting February 4. 

**General registration will stay open until event capacity is reached – register early to save your spot!

Thank You to Our River Rally 2026 Sponsors, Supporters, and Partners!