River Voices: January 2026
Welcome to the January 2026 edition of River Voices. This month we’re excited to share a program preview for this year’s River Rally!
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.
In this blog, the Rally Planning Team shares initial details on Rally scholarship applications (opening next week!), programming, scheduling, and ways you can still give your feedback on Rally through this survey (open until January 23).
Shelby originally joined River Network in 2023 as the Drinking Water Program Associate. We’d like to welcome them back as our new River Programs Senior Associate!
“As a kid I was obsessed with all things water. I wanted to be a water bender, or a mermaid, or an Olympic swimmer…I feel lucky to be able to work to help conserve these places for future generations, so that other people can experience the same joy I have spending time around water.”
Put your brand at the heart of the river movement. River Rally sponsorships connect you with 400+ leaders advancing clean water, healthy communities, and resilient watersheds nationwide.
Elevate your impact, visibility, and partnerships—while supporting the largest gathering of river and water advocates in the U.S.
Do you know of a current student or recent graduate who is interested in working in conservation?
We just posted six AmeriCorps positions hosted by River Network member organizations throughout Colorado on our careers and opportunities page.
Join a Training Series in Our Online Learning Platform
Our Online Learning Platform offers cohort style, hybrid training courses (a mix of synchronous, interactive training and self-paced content) as well as entirely self-paced trainings to help grow and strengthen network members. Current topics include equitable development, building trust with water utilities, the Clean Water Act, State Revolving Funds, and more.
Monster Under the Bed: How to Overcome Your Fear of Your Website
January 15, 11am PT/2 pm ET
In today’s learning session, we will cover some of the common challenges and easy, low-cost, and stress-free solutions for maintaining your website – and create a brand new one along the way!
Nominate an Emerging Water Utility Leader
Nominations due January 16
Do you know an individual or organization deserving recognition for their leadership in Lead Service Line Replacement? Nominate them for the WaterNow Alliance’s 2026 Emerging Leader Awards! These leaders will be recognized at American Water Works Association’s Annual conference and featured in webinars and other media to share their work.
Advancing Nature-Based Solutions Through Economic Valuation
February 25 and March 18
This interactive two-part workshop series—hosted by Earth Economics, River Network, and the Urban Waters Learning Network—explores how ecological economics can strengthen advocacy for watershed restoration.
Register for Session 1: Integrating Ecological Economics into Watershed Restoration Projects
Register for Session 2: Communicating the Real Value of Nature-Based Solutions
Mutual Aid for Climate Justice 101
Online Recap
Climate Advocacy Lab hosted a webinar at the end of 2025 on the basics of Mutual Aid for the climate crisis. River Network staff member Hannah attended and left with a new appreciation for how organizations and individuals can engage in mutual aid without over-committing themselves.
What We’re Reading (and Watching)
- 🎥 Water Affordability Case Study: Laredo, Texas (Water Hub’s Water Affordability for All campaign): This video explores how climate change is drying up Laredo’s only source of drinking water: the Rio Grande. At the same time, aging pipes and treatment systems are driving regular water line breaks and boil-water notices, and increasing the cost of delivering safe water. Hear from Rosa, a Laredo resident, about how unsafe water and rising costs affects families and learn what River Network member Rio Grande International Study Center is doing to fight this crisis.
