47 episodes
We Are Rivers Conversations about the rivers that connect us
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4.8 • 40 Ratings
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To further the conversation about the value and complexity of rivers, American Rivers launched our podcast series, “We are Rivers: Conversations about the Rivers that Connect Us.”
“We Are Rivers” takes it’s listeners on a journey to tell the stories of rivers and the important relationship they have with us. It explores the culture and history of the west and our nation by talking with adventurers, writers, water experts, and artists about their connection to rivers, and how they impact their lives. The podcast series covers a wide array of topics across the Colorado Basin and other rivers across the country.
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Annemarie Lewis writes and hosts our American Rivers podcast series, "We Are Rivers," while attending college in Colorado Springs. She started making podcasts about water conservation while in high school and plans on, "Living a life full of water conservation advocacy." Her hobbies include backpacking, climbing, river running, and amateur piano playing.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
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Episode 42: Finding the Flint
We’re joined this week by author and urban planner Hannah Palmer on a journey to find the Flint river in Atlanta, Georgia. Like so many urban rivers, the Flint is hardly recognizable as a river, at least at it’s headwaters beneath the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Through an effort called “Finding the Flint”, Hannah is working to bring the river back to the surface, both in terms of how it flows, and its role in people’s lives. This story of the Flint River isn’t unique, and as is so often the case, the way we treat our rivers is the way we treat our communities, and the long-term health and viability of the two are inextricably linked. We hope you’ll tune in.
NOTES:
http://hannahspalmer.com/flightpath -
Episode 41: Gushing over the Monsoon
Tune in to learn more about the magical monsoon phenomenon that has so many of us awed. We talk to Dr.Connie Woodhouse, a professor in the school of geography, development and environment at the University of Arizona, and to John Fleck, director of The University of New Mexico's Water Resources Program. We cover some of what we know about the monsoon, what we don't, how it can't save us from a warmer and drier future, and how in some ways, maybe it can. Join us!
John Fleck's book (which he co-authored with Eric Kuhn) "Science be Dammed": https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780816540051?aff=jfleck -
Episode 40: Ten Strategies for Climate Resilience in the CO Basin
In a previous episode of "We Are Rivers", climate scientist Brad Udall said "You can't depress people into action". In this episode, our guest Amy McCoy is working to inspire us into action through a report she authored along with her partner, Season Martin, Culp & Kelly, and a whole host of other collaborators and contributors. The report outlines 10 bold strategies to increase climate resilience in the Colorado Basin, and Amy walks us through how the strategies were identified, and what they mean for our future.
NOTES:
Ten Strategies for Climate Resilience in the CO Basin: https://www.tenstrategies.net/ -
Episode 39: Beavers, killer whales, and the tie that binds
In this, our latest episode of We Are Rivers, we talk beavers and killer whales, poop sniffing dogs, and the inextricable link between wildlife, biodiversity, and healthy rivers. And, we imagine how we might translate this level of integrated understanding to policies and practices that govern rivers. This is the first of a two-part series. Join us!
NOTES:
Denielle Perry, Free Flowing Rivers Lab
Free-flowing Rivers Lab
https://denielleperry.com/research/
https://riverfieldstudies.com/
www.naustudentwatersymposium.com
Deborah Giles, University of Washington and
https://www.washington.edu/news/people/deborah-giles/
https://www.wildorca.org/team/
Mark Beardsley
Ecometrics (Mark’s company): https://www.ecometricscolorado.net/
The Beaver Believers: https://www.thebeaverbelievers.com/filmmakers
Eager: The Suprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter https://www.bengoldfarb.com/eager
Enos Mills, In Beaver World
Emily Fairfax, research, “Smokey the Beaver: beaver-dammed riparian corridors stay green during wildfire throughout western United States” -
Episode 38: When Rivers Flow, Things Are Good: On Water in Arizona
Jocelyn Gibbon is a river guide, and she’s also a water law and policy expert. When she isn’t guiding trips through the Grand Canyon, Jocelyn is a consultant for non-profits and other groups navigating the complex water world in Arizona and the Colorado River Basin. We embrace Jocelyn’s multiple talents to cover Arizona’s lesser-known rivers, the beauty of the grand canyon and the joys of guiding, and we get into the nitty gritty of water management, and lack thereof, for groundwater in Arizona. Tune in to learn more about the precipice Arizona is perched on, and what you can do about it.
Learn more:
Water for Arizona Coalition: https://www.waterforarizona.com/
Jocelyn Gibbon, Freshwater Policy Consulting: https://freshwaterpolicy.com/about/ -
Episode 37: America's Most Endangered Rivers, 2021
In mid-April, American Rivers released the 2021 list of the country’s Most Endangered Rivers. The event was the culmination of a year’s worth of work inviting nominations and vetting rivers. It is, above all, an important opportunity to call attention to struggling rivers that are in need of our help, and highlighting rivers where there’s an action we can take to make a difference in their fate. Tune in to learn about this year's #1 Most Endangered River, and what you can do about it.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic Podcast
We Are Rivers is a fantastic podcast that shares the complexities and community behind the rivers that connect us. Highlighting the multi-faceted issues that surround water, the podcast does a great job of teaching both experienced river people and newcomers everything there is to know about river systems. I love how the podcast focuses on both personal action and action from larger organizations, ensuring that there is always someone fighting for our rivers.
Interesting for everyone
I recently found We Are Rivers after reading Where the Water Goes by David Owens. While I live in Ohio, I still feel a sense of responsibility to understand past, present and future water issues and conservation efforts specific to the desert southwest. Annemarie does a wonderful job of educating the listener about the Colorado River Basin, and explains how we ended up where we are today, along with efforts we need to make to ensure the future sustainability of water in the southwest.
Binge-listen worthy
Just discovered this podcast and am nearly all the way through all 12 episodes created to date. I enjoy the mix of historical background, politics, personal story, and activism. Though it may lean a little to the conservationist side (which speaks to me), it’s generally unbiased and provides a god comprehensive viewpoint. Would love to learn more about other river basins going through the same struggles.
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