Your support enables us to evolve and lead at the intersection of water and equity in our efforts to build a more diverse and inclusive movement for our nation's waters. In Colorado, that includes building unlikely partnerships in the Yampa Valley to ensure rivers flow and ranching thrives.
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River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life. We envision a future with clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers. We believe that everyone should have access to affordable, clean water and healthy rivers.
Headquartered in Boulder, since 1988, River Network has been at the forefront of expanding national interest in protecting the waters of our country, encouraging diversity in the environmental movement, and helping engaged community members and local organizations take a stand for their waters.
Why We Matter
Our strength lies in connecting river and water champions around the country with each other and to solutions that work, empowering them to make a difference, and expanding their influence. We are the only national organization that serves this specific role related to clean water, ample water, and strong champions. We offer river and water champions one-on-one mentoring and consulting, trainings, conferences and events to strengthen their efforts; convene river and watershed groups for greater impact at larger scales (system, state, regional, national); and increase the implementation of practical water management solutions. Our staff includes scientists, water management and policy experts, lawyers, and others who have a passion for helping rivers and people.
Healthy Rivers in Agricultural Landscapes
Farmers and ranchers are essential partners in building a thriving agricultural sector that also supports clean water and healthy rivers. Farms, ranches, and rangeland occupy roughly 44% of U.S. land, consume approximately 80% of our water, and are a leading cause of water pollution and water security when improperly managed. Over the next five years, River Network will advance novel partnerships, opportunities to build trust, and identify aligned interests for forward progress.
To reach the future we seek, our solutions must become more equitable and inclusive. And to remain relevant, we must diversify our community and our organizations too. We are committed to the journey this implies and to delivering ongoing exposure to best practices, new ideas, tools and resources for everyone interested in making a difference in their communities and for their waters.
"I am happy to have been a Sustaining Donor of River Network for a number of years now. 'Connecting people, saving rivers' says it all: the organization fully embraces their critical role supporting thousands of local groups that are the ultimate protectors of our precious flowing waters." -Todd Ambs, Sustaining Donor
"Coming from Colorado to Cleveland for River Rally has been eye-opening and has greatly expanded my perspective. It was meaningful to remember how much water quality issues are so real and the urban and eastern part of the country and I'm so appreciative for the opportunity to attend, share a poster, present a workshop and get free registration." - 2019 River Rally Scholarship Recipient
"We are our own superman… in the spaces that we work in, superman isn't coming so we have to be that." - Rally presenter Alicia Smith during "Mobilizing Communities in Land and Water Work"
