International RiverFoundation and Thiess Riverprize

Bill DennisonDirector, International RiverFoundationUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Johnny Sundstrom Ambassador, International RiverFoundation Siuslaw Institute

International RiverFoundation promotes the

restoration, protection, and sustainable management

of our precious rivers and watersheds

www.riverfoundation.org.au

Our Vision

www.riverfoundation.org.au

A world in which all rivers and their watersheds

are healthy and sustainably managed

Programs to empower and inform

Rewarding River Heroes

Partnering River Heroes

Supporting River Heroes

Creating River Heroes

Enabling River Heroes

Riverprize

Twinning

Sponsored Delegates

Scholarships

On-ground projects

Riverprize winners:

• Have demonstrated achievement in river restoration

• Effectively engaged the community

• Are invariably team efforts, with many champions coming from a variety of professions

Common features of Riverprize finalists and winners

• Passion: found in leadership & community members, publically expressed

• Knowledge: broad understanding of major issues, effective communication

• Leadership: behavior changes instituted, changed paradigms

International Riverprize

• Showcases excellent river management

• Gives recognition and increases awareness

• Provides financial reward and incentive

• Increases profile and credibility

• Builds global networks

• Established Russia’s first watershed council

• Created and coordinated a youth network to clean up the Nairobi River

• Provided clean water for villages in Kenya

• Mentored the formation of a Landcare group in remote northern Queensland

• Hosted the first international watershed management forum in South America

www.riverfoundation.org.au

Twinning Achievements

International Riversymposium

• Annual forum to exchange knowledge

• Showcases Riverprize winners, finalists and twinners

• Increases profile and credibility

• Networking with global leaders in river management

• Catalyze knowledge & wisdom sharing

IRF Sponsored Delegates

Since 2003, over 250 delegates from 40 different countries

Benefits of Sponsored Delegates

• Opportunity for professional development

• Sharing of ideas, lessons, challenges and expertise

• Building global networks

IRF Ambassadors

“Through IRF’s work and partnership with Riverprize winners, finalists and other

river management practitioners, IRF brings together a range of practical,

informative and inspiring publications such as River Heroes and River Journeys

providing insights and lessons for river management and restoration worldwide.”

www.riverfoundation.org.au

IRF Knowledge Exchange

www.riverfoundation.org.au