River Voices: October 2026
Welcome to the October 2026 edition of River Voices, where we’re reflecting on learnings from the recent Colorado Watershed Planning Peer Learning Network field trip to Basalt, Colorado. Plus, a new fact sheet on decentralized water systems is available from our Drinking Water team. We are also highlighting the work of Rooting Resilience grantee, Grassroots Impact Education Fund, who distributed saplings in an under-represented community in Orlando, Florida.
Nothing beats seeing a river restoration project in person. Over two days, River Network brought watershed professionals together to visit the Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) in Basalt, Colorado. The group explored their restoration projects along the Crystal, Roaring Fork, and Frying pan rivers to learn how restoration, water management, recreation, and community engagement work together on the ground.
“I think about our work like tributaries feeding a river. Each person’s contribution may seem small on its own, but together those efforts become something much more powerful. Knowing that my work contributes to a larger movement for healthy rivers and clean, accessible water motivates me every day.”
David Diaz joined River Network in August 2026 as the Network Mobilization Manager. He works to strengthen and activate the network around equitable water policy, healthy rivers, and safe and affordable drinking water.
Around 80 million people manage their wastewater through onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), which are more commonly referred to as “decentralized systems.” Demand for these systems have increased by 170% between 2016 and 2024.
Our latest drinking water fact sheet on Decentralized Water Systems explores the issue through a Michigan case study and highlights action items for water advocates.
River Network is excited to share a video profile of our Rooting Resilience grantee, Grassroots Impact Education Fund, in Orlando, Florida.
Their project, which provides trees to individuals in underrepresented communities, will offset electric bills and provide nutritional support to residents. Funding for the Rooting Resilience Program is provided by the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference
October 6-8 in Avon, Colorado
This year’s theme, Across the Divide, celebrates the remarkable collaboration happening across Colorado. Catch River Network’s Chelsea Silva, who will be presenting “Ten Years of Watershed Planning in Colorado” on October 7.
WEBINAR: Clarifying your why and using it to guide communications
October 8
It’s almost giving season, and there’s never been a better time to clarify your “why.” In this webinar hosted by nonprofit consultant, Big Duck, you’ll discuss practical tools and frameworks you can use to define, articulate, and activate your organization’s “why” so it resonates across all your communications.
Resilience in the Rockies Summit
October 20 in Denver, Colorado
Join WaterNow and waterloop for a half-day event bringing together Colorado municipal staff, utility professionals, policymakers, designers, and community leaders for an interactive program featuring docuseries highlight reels, panel discussions, and peer exchange focused on how to scale water conservation efforts as long term water supply strategy.
2026 Annual Watershed Conference
October 21 (Virtual) and October 27 (Hyde Park, NY)
This year’s Annual Watershed Conference will focus on planning and partnerships that support our shared waters. We’ll share strategies and case studies of collaborative projects that support healthy, resilient watershed communities
Catch Hannah Mico presenting during the pre-conference webinar on October 21.
What We’re Reading
📖 In The River That Made Texas: A Forgotten History of the Trinity, a new book from historian Scot McFarlane, he explores three hundred years of Trinity River history, uncovering the forgotten stories of the plantations, floods, and dreams that shaped the banks of the river—and the state of Texas itself. Watch the book trailer or pre-order now.
▶️ Environmental Racism: When Communities Are Sacrificed | Black Issues Forum: PBS North Carolina host Kenia Thompson explores environmental racism and its impact on health and quality of life with Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, codirector of North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, and Bonita Green, executive director of Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation.
🗺️ The Colorado River Basin at Night from the Pacific Institute shows artificial lighting – a rough proxy for population – in the Colorado River Basin and adjacent areas. This compelling night sky image highlights the stark differences in the numbers of people living in the Upper and Lower Basins, raising controversial questions about water allocations, reductions, equity, and privileging development aspirations over current needs.
🌐 Built on a large, and ever-growing, body of evidence, Communication Matters aggregates a wealth of ideas and opinions, data and evidence, case studies and exemplars collected from hundreds of the Communications Network members.
