River Voices: November 2025
Welcome to the November 2025 edition of River Voices. This month we’re thrilled to release a new online learning series on Equitable Development. Plus, we want to hear what you want from the next River Rally in May 2026!
River Network is excited to announce the publication of a new, free, self-paced, online training series based on Community-Centered Solutions for Green Gentrification and Displacement, a toolkit we published in September 2024.
Hear from Gloria McNair from Groundwork Jacksonville about green gentrification and the importance of bringing the community into trail development work:
It was the residents who brought it to our attention. After you build this beautiful trail, after the creek is cleaned up and there are people kayaking along the creek: am I still going to be able to remain in my neighborhood? And it became very real to us that green gentrification is a real thing, and that when you are working in environmental justice, when you are working with environmental improvements and community, you have to think about equity and you have to bring the neighborhood along with you.”
With roughly three-quarters of a million federal workers furloughed, and another nearly 42 million Americans facing uncertainty about retaining their SNAP benefits, many households are facing difficult choices about what they can afford. Food on the table, rent, or other bills that cover the necessities of life, including water and wastewater services. See how five cities and towns have responded to prevent water shutoffs, and learn ideas for how you can encourage your local government or water utility to help residents during this time.
River Network convenes River Rally, a gathering at the intersection of water, climate, and justice. If you haven’t put Rally on your calendar, save the date for May 11-14, 2026. A reminder that registration opens in January.
As we prepare for Rally in May 2026, we’re curious to hear from you: What topics do you want to focus on at Rally? Who do you want to learn from, and what expertise do YOU want to share when we gather in May? How can we make Rally a safe, inclusive, and accessible event?
Let us know your visions for Rally via this short form by November 17.
We’ve updated our Building Blocks of Trust Page to include two new case studies from Walnut, California and Tucson, Arizona.
You’ll find a report on trust building between Walnut Valley Water District and the Chinese American Association of Walnut. You’ll also hear about Tuscon’s rainwater harvesting program that helps residents maintain trees that keep their houses cooler during heat.
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 building trust with water utilities, the Clean Water Act, State Revolving Funds, and more.
Communications Learning Series
November 10, December 4, January 15
River Network is hosting a three-part series on communications and outreach with Bold Bison. Learn about each session and register at the links below.
Once Upon a Time: Telling More Memorable Stories, Nov 10, 3:30-5 pm ET
Shout it from the Rooftops: D.I.Y. Marketing Made Fun, Efficient, and Cost Effective, Dec 4, 2-3:30 pm ET
Monster Under the Bed: How to Overcome Your Fear of Your Website, Jan 15, 2-3:30 pm ET
SRF State Advocates Forum
November 6 and 19, 2025
The SRF State Advocates Forum is wrapping up the year with two events—a final national quarterly convening (Nov 6, 12:30-2 pm ET) and an orientation for new members (Nov 19, 4-4:45 pm ET). If you work on State Revolving Fund advocacy and aren’t yet a part of the Forum, you can join the Forum here (you’ll need to join the group to attend either of these calls).
Partners in Community Forestry Conference
November 19-20, 2025
Join the Arbor Day Foundation and get a first look at the sessions, speakers, and events that will shape this year’s gathering of urban forestry professionals, community leaders, and advocates from across the country. Whether you’re passionate about innovation in tree planting, creative partnerships, or the latest research in urban forestry, there’s something for everyone.
Building the Foundation
December 1-5, 2025
A virtual course hosted by Center for Diversity & the Environment, Building the Foundation is the first step in a dynamic and rewarding journey. Diversity and inclusion work is not swift; it is an iterative process of awareness building, information gathering, analysis, vision development, planning and action. There is no magic shortcut. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, the Building the Foundation course re-frames equity, diversity and inclusion as a lifelong, fulfilling journey.
What We’re Reading
- 💧 Is a River Alive? (book by Robert Macfarlane – Drinking Water Program Director Erin Kanzig recommends checking out the audiobook from your public library!)
- 🏠 When it comes to attainable housing, we can and should work with nature, not against it (Savannah Morning News)
- 📣 Defunding of the ECJ Communities Grants: The scale of what is being taken from communities nationwide (Community-Centric Fundraising)
- 🌲 Why We Need Forests: Their Vital Role in Climate Dynamics, Rain, and The Biotic Pump (Great Simplification Podcast)
- 🔢 Issue Brief: Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025: A Climate Adaptation Analysis (Georgetown Climate Center)
- 🏔️ Thin White Line (essay by Maya Pace in Emergence Magazine – a quote: “California has been built on an ideal of paradise: That anything can happen here, that we can defy the laws of gravity and water flow to create heaven on earth.”)
