River Rally 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to River Rally 2026

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10:30am CDT

Crafting Effective Water Messaging: From Research to Real-World Application

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Knowing your issue isn't enough, you have to be able to communicate it! This hands-on workshop with presenters from Water Hub, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, and American Rivers covers the basics of polling research, shares key findings from a newly developed water messaging playbook, and gives you practice turning complicated, technical language into messaging that lands.

Speakers

Lindsey Bacigal

Communications Manager, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

Lindsey leads strategic communications efforts to protect and restore the waters of the Great Lakes region. Prior to her current role, she worked in Canada for various Indigenous organizations and became heavily involved in local and national activism around Indigenous rights and... Read More →

Sinjin Eberle

Senior Director, Regional Communications, American Rivers

I believe that open spaces, wild landscapes, and free-flowing rivers deserve all the respect and reverence we can possibly afford them. With that in mind, I enthusiastically pursue my role with American Rivers and strive to raise the profile and prominence of the organization across... Read More →

Nicole Lampe

Managing Director, Water Hub

Nicole has worked in cause communications for over fifteen years. For most of that time, she has focused on protecting environmental and public health. Nicole sits on the board of River Network. She studied history at the University of California, Berkeley.

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Sabino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Communications for Water

10:30am CDT

Critical Infrastructure: Building Local Leadership for Climate Resilience

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Olivares

We hear it constantly: "Community members already know the solutions to the problems they face." How then, can local organizations help community members actually access what they need to implement those solutions? Community Leadership Development programs are filling this gap in communities across the country, connecting individuals to knowledge, skills, power, and resources to advance the solutions they know are most responsive and effective where they live. Hear from three leadership development practitioners engaging in different stages of this work: New Orleans East Green Infrastructure Collective (New Orleans, LA), Girl Plus Environment (Atlanta, GA and Mobile, AL), and Defensores de la Cuenca (Maryland / Chesapeake Bay). Participants can expect to learn not only about designing a successful climate leadership program, but doing so in ways that are culturally responsive, iterative, and inclusive of changing community needs. Anyone is invited to attend this session.

Speakers

Jackie Baham

Program Coordinator, New Orleans East Green Infrastructure Collective

Jacqueline (Jackie) Baham, a Native New Orleanian, dedicates her work to her community in New Orleans East. She leads NOEGIC and is part of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective, focusing on community engagement, education about nature-based solutions, and Green Infrastructure projects... Read More →

Juan Lazo Bautista

Field Director, Defensores de la Cuenca

Previously, Juan worked with USDA Forest Service supporting partnership development where he led a national program to engage diverse communities in conservation education action projects and increase access to their public lands. Juan also has experience in labor organizing, youth... Read More →

Hannah Mico

Resilient Communities Manager, River Network

Hannah joined the team at River Network in 2020. As the Resilient Communities Manager, she assists organizations across the Great Lakes and beyond with building capacity in themselves and their communities. Her experience in equitable program design, education, and training informs... Read More →

Diamond Spratling

Founder & Executive Director, Girl Plus Environment

Diamond is the founder and executive director of Girl Plus Environment, where she inspires women of color to champion climate and environmental justice. Growing up in Detroit shaped her mission to dismantle health, racial, and environmental inequities in communities of color. With... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Olivares Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Climate Resilient Communities

10:30am CDT

I Wanna Be Where the People Are: Communications as Community Building

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Camino Real

What happens when conservation nonprofits shift how they communicate both strategically by positioning themselves as the best possible neighbor, and tactically by using easy tools to be more inviting, accessible, and collaborative? In this highly interactive workshop, we’ll find out. Come prepared to think about where the people in your community are and how to engage with them. This approach to communicating effectively is all the more important in this time of uncertainty, which underscores the crucial role of movement building for conservation.

Speakers

Brandon Hayes (he/him)

Founder and Principal, Bold Bison Communications and Consulting

Frida Ramirez

Creative Specialist, Bold Bison Communications & Consulting

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Camino Real Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Communications for Water

10:30am CDT

Protected Rivers Explorer: Using Science & Data to Advance Meaningful Protection Initiatives

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Zapata

This session is suited for anyone with interest in protection of rivers and the values they possess (e.g., drinking water, fish and wildlife, etc). The session will consist of a short presentation on the science behind the groundbreaking National Protected Rivers Assessment. Followed by Q&A, and a demo /interactive tutorial on how to use the Protected Rivers Explorer tool. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of the National Protected Rivers Assessment and how to put it to use in their work.

Speakers

Mike Fiebig

Director, Southwest River Protection Program, American Rivers

Michael Fiebig directs the Southwest River Protection Program at American Rivers, leading efforts to protect and defend the most ecologically and culturally important rivers in the Southwest U.S. by partnering with Tribes, local communities, NGOs, land managers, researchers, creatives... Read More →

David Moryc

Senior Director, National River Protection Program, American Rivers

David provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the River Protection conservation program. David joined American Rivers in November 1999 in the Northwest Region where he helped shape policy on river restoration, protection and federal dam issues relating to salmon and... Read More →

John Zablocki

National River Protection Program Director, American Rivers

Personal story:
My work in river conservation started in 2005. I had a summer fellowship in a chemistry lab in Austria, and after I was done, I traveled all around the Balkans. I was absolutely mesmerized by the rivers I encountered and understood that many of them would be lost in the coming years... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Zapata Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Healthy Rivers

10:30am CDT

Protecting Waters of the United States

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Encino

Hear from national and state leaders about the recent changes to the “Waters of the United States” regulation (the “Polluted Waters Rule”), which defines which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act, and how advocates are advancing policy to protect their state’s waters in light of the current federal landscape. You will also learn about tools to help organizations interested in advancing state-level water protections. Finally, we will connect these state advocacy opportunities and reduction in federal regulations to how we can work together to advance meaningful federal policy.

Speakers

Marie Campbell

Community Engagement Director, Harpeth Conservancy

Jennifer Western Hauser

Policy Liason, Wisconsin Wetlands Association

As Policy Liaison, Jennifer supports the development and growth of WWA’s policy programs. She serves as a resource for policymakers, partners, and agency staff. Jennifer has a combined fourteen years in state government, including five years working as Assistant Deputy Secretary... Read More →

Jim Murphy

Director of Legal Advocacy, National Wildlife Federation

Jim Murphy is the Director of Legal Advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation where he coordinates legal advocacy across the Federation’s national programs with a focus on renewable energy and clean water. Jim also directs a partnership between the Federation and Vermont Law... Read More →

Kristine Oblock

Protect Our Waters Senior Campaign Manager, Clean Water For All

Kristine leads the Protect Our Waters Campaign for the Clean Water for All Coalition to protect and expand clean water safeguards across the country in light of the recent rollbacks to federal protections. Kristine comes to Clean Water for All with more than a decade of experience... Read More →

Jennifer Peters

Water Policy Consultant

Jennifer has worked on a variety of water policy and watershed management issues for over a decade, in both nonprofit and government sectors. She has BS in Environmental Science from Humboldt State University and a MS in Environmental Policy from Bard College. Jennifer worked with... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Encino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Clean Water for All

10:30am CDT

The Rivers Speak Pajalate, Kinships in Coahuiltecan Lands

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT

Villa

This session is well suited for a broad audience; anyone interested in Indigenous studies, language reclamation, history, geography, anthropology, or place-based pedagogy will benefit, while more advanced participants will also find a strong theoretical and methodological intervention. Participants will learn how Coahuiltecan toponyms can be read as archives of memory and kinship, and how naming practices can support decolonial approaches to reclamation. The session also develops skills in thinking across archival evidence, community knowledge, and more-than-human relations rather than treating land and language as separate objects of study. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of Coahuiltecan land-language-kinship and with new ways to think about sovereignty, memory, and place as lived relational practice.

Speakers

Anua Reyes

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Villa Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Healthy Rivers

1:30pm CDT

Diving Further Into the Clean Water Act - Part 2!

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Lantana

This session builds upon the tools and information that you learned about in “Learn the Tools of the Clean Water Act” and “Protecting Waters of the United States” sessions to further explore specific Clean Water Act tools. You’ll leave with a deeper knowledge of how to use parts of the Act and local resources to protect your waters. In particular, we will be exploring such tools as clean water funding mechanisms, how to address nonpoint source pollution, Triennial review, and where local ordinance can fill some gaps in federal protections.

Speakers

Dr. Mila Marshall, PhD

Clean Water Advocate, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter

Mila works to mobilize and energize diverse networks across Illinois around clean water issues related to wastewater, agriculture and industry. She advocates for novel partnerships that protect the quality of streams, lakes, rivers, and Illinois tributaries for all. Furthermore she... Read More →

Val Z. Schull

Water and Ocean Program Director, GreenLatinos

Val Z. Schull (elle | they/them) is the Water Equity and Ocean Program Director at GreenLatinos. In this role, they advocate for policies that champion equitable access and conservation of both fresh- and salt-water systems. Val is a first generation Chicane raised in the Valle de... Read More →

Sarah Edwards

Legislative Counsel, Southern Environmental Law Center

Sarah is based in SELC’s D.C. office, where she works at the federal level to build and advance SELC’s resilience priorities. She also advocates for clean water protections and connects regional SELC work to federal developments.

Becky Hammer

Senior Attorney, Nature, Natural Resources Defense Council

Becky Hammer focuses on stormwater runoff, green infrastructure, low-impact development, water-pollution permitting issues, and climate change preparedness. Before joining NRDC in 2009, she interned at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Hammer is a graduate of Harvard College... Read More →

Rachel Conn

Deputy Director, Amigos Bravos

As Deputy Director of Amigos Bravos, Rachel advocates for strong and environmental just local, state, and federal water policy and provides hands-on support to New Mexico communities and groups working to protect their watersheds. She is a leader in the ongoing campaigns to hold Los... Read More →

Zach Hennessee

Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Lantana Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Clean Water for All

1:30pm CDT

From SRFs to Systems Change: Building Power in the South for Water Investment

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Sabino

As Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds sunset in FY2026, a critical question looms: what comes next? Base State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs were already overstretched before this historic $43 billion investment, and the nation’s water infrastructure financing gap continues to grow. Without coordinated action, we risk reverting to business as usual.
From 2022–2025, PolicyLink partnered with EPIC, River Network, and 16 CBOs across the South to analyze state SRF programs and drive sustained state and federal advocacy. In this interactive 90-minute panel, water justice leaders from Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas will share lessons from the ground - including barriers faced, concrete wins achieved, and how SRF campaigns became catalysts for broader efforts to increase long-term water investment.
Through storytelling, discussion, and Q&A, participants will explore how to move funding from authorization to implementation, prevent backsliding as BIL dollars expire, and organize across states to close the water infrastructure gap.

Target Audience
Water professionals, federal/state water policy advocates, water justice leaders/CBOs interested in financing water infrastructure.
Funders that recognize that water will remain undervalued unless we adequately and sustainably fund a water justice movement that centers those with lived experience.

Speakers

Marie Campbell

Community Engagement Director, Harpeth Conservancy

Usman Mahmood

Senior Policy Analyst, Bayou City Waterkeeper

Iceman coming soon

Kennedy Moore

State Policy Coordinator &amp; EPA Urban Waters Ambassador, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans

A local water advocate dedicated to actualizing water as a human right for the Southeast Louisiana area — specifically within the Lake Pontchartrain Watershed. My organization aims to draw arts and culture into water advocacy through partnerships and collaboration to create community-driven... Read More →

Portia Shepherd

Executive Director, Black Belt Women Rising

Yasmin Zaerpoor

Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience, PolicyLink

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Sabino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

1:30pm CDT

Governance, Community Engagement, and Power: Threats and Opportunities in the Data Center Boom

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Encino

This hands-on learning lab will tackle thorny issues surrounding the data center boom. Come prepared to map out the players - from land speculators to big tech companies, local planners to state regulators, water utilities to the courts - and then start your roadmap to action. This session will build off of the first session on data centers, Data Center Deluge: What You Actually Need to Know, but will also open with a brief overview of the intersection of water use, AI, and data centers, with tangible examples of how groups have been navigating data center proposals and buildouts across the South.

Speakers

Ryan Anderson

Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

Ryan drafts motions and briefs, and conducts legal research, developing case strategies and legal arguments in SELC matters in her home state of Alabama. She lives and works in Birmingham, where she is originally from.

Ben Hirsch

Co-Director of Organizing, Research, and Development, West Street Recovery

Ben has worked with WSR since its founding and helped to launch the Harvey home repair program, facilitates the Northeast Action Collective, and is deeply motivated to develop collective political strategy and collective models of leadership. He is a graduate of the LBJ school of... Read More →

Charles Miller

Policy Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance

Charles leads Alabama Rivers Alliance's policy work. He previously clerked or interned with Southern Environmental Law Center, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, American Rivers, and the EPA’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training. In 2021, he was recognized by River Network... Read More →

River Network DC Organizing Prez CRM pptx

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Encino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Emerging Leaders and Emerging Issues

1:30pm CDT

How Do Rivers Shape Our Worlds? A Pakahua Perspective

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Villa

This session examines the way our ancestors saw the rivers and the stories that shape our beliefs and continue our identity and existence. This session is for anyone. This session will touch on Indigenous Worldviews, Cosmologies, and Texas River Systems.

Speakers

Gary Perez

Gary Perez was Born at Ft Sam Houston and placed under adoption in the care of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at St. Peter Saint Joseph’s Orphanage in San Antonio. Adopted by His Parents Reymundo and Frances Perez of Pearsall. In his twenties, Gary... Read More →

Matilde Torres-Romero

Born and raised along the Balcones Escarpment in Yanaguana (San Antonio, Texas), Matilde Torres-Romero is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical heritage of the region. She is a proud descendant of Juan Francisco Lucas, a prominent Indigenous leader of the Puebla Sierra, who... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Villa Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

1:30pm CDT

Reimagining the EPA: Environmental Justice & Protection for the 21st Century

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Camino Real

Join us for a dynamic, hands-on workshop where YOU will help redesign the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better serve all Americans. As part of PolicyLink’s Governing for All Agenda, Project Redesign is a bold effort to reimagine federal government agencies that truly serve everyone. In this highly interactive session, we invite water professionals, environmental justice advocates, and community leaders to collaboratively envision what more accountable, responsive, and equitable federal agencies could look like. Through small group discussions, design exercises, and collective brainstorming, participants will shape concrete recommendations identifying transformative policy "Big Moves" to ensure efficient, fair, and people-centered delivery. Bring your experiences, your frustrations, and your hopes for what environmental governance can become.

This session is two parts, taking place from 1:30-4:00 pm with a short break.

Speakers

Dimple Chaudhary

Senior Fellow, Federal Agency Redesign, PolicyLink & Former General Counsel for the EPA

Katy Lackey

Senior Associate, Water Equity & Climate Resilience, PolicyLink

Emily Simonson

Director, Project Redesign, PolicyLink

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Camino Real Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

1:30pm CDT

Trees, Jobs, and Quality of Life: Practical Ways to Restore Rivers and Communities

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Olivares

Strengthening and investing in urban forestry is a practical, nature‑based solution to protect our clean water supply by slowing stormwater, filtering pollution, and reconnecting communities to healthy river systems, all while also improving public health and neighborhood livability. This session is designed for anyone interested in how trees can support stronger watersheds and create local, green jobs with economic mobility. Participants will learn how to apply American Forests’ Tree Equity tools and about funding sources to support urban and community forestry. You’ll also hear from River Network partners' real‑world case studies on using trees to improve river and community health, engaging our communities, and creating lasting and positive change.

Speakers

Dawn Curtis

Executive Director, Grassroots Impact Education Fund, Inc

Yelitza Garcia

Youth Engagement Manager, American Forests

Tara Tran

Project Leader, One Truckee River Workforce, Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality

Committed to environmental justice as a tool in creating a decolonial and liberatory future! My heart belongs to the Truckee River watershed. Talk to me about... native plants, birding, experimental music, pop culture, abolition, water protection, food... honestly everything I have... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Olivares Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Climate Resilient Communities

1:30pm CDT

What's Your Superpower? Change Agent Training with Britton Smith

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Zapata

This interactive, participatory workshop—Change Agent Training—is designed for anyone seeking to deepen their role in social and environmental impact, whether new to this work or more experienced. Participants will identify their inherent “superpower” roles within the social change ecosystem and explore how to apply them to their work in the water sector and beyond. Through joy-centered exercises, storytelling, and imagination-based practices, the session equips participants with tools to align their unique strengths with collective efforts for change. By the end, participants will leave with greater clarity on their role, renewed creative energy, and actionable ways to contribute more effectively to the world they want to build.

Speakers

Britton Smith

Facilitator/Artist/Advocate, Saved by Sting LLC

Britton Smith is a Tony Award–winning artist, activist, and cultural strategist working at the intersection of storytelling, music, and social impact. He is the Co-Founder and President of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, a national organization uniting artists, legal experts, and... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Zapata Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

3:15pm CDT

Brown meets Blue: Reimagining Brownfields for Water Resilience

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Zapata

Brownfields—abandoned or underutilized sites suspected of contamination—are visible reminders of unresolved environmental challenges in historically under-resourced communities, where residents are also often navigating issues such as flooding and water pollution. This introductory session explores how transforming brownfields can support healthier watersheds and serve as a strategy for addressing community water challenges. Participants will learn the basics of brownfields, how land reuse efforts can align with water-focused goals, and how integrated approaches can unlock new resources and opportunities. Groundwork Affiliates from Denver, Colorado, and San Diego, California will share real-world examples of how they have engaged their communities at the intersection of land and water to advance more resilient watersheds and communities.

Speakers

Ozzy Meneses, AICP

Director of Community Projects and Partnerships, Groundwork San Diego - Chollas Creek

Ozzy Meneses, AICP, brings over 16 years of experience in infrastructure, environmental justice, and community-driven planning across public, nonprofit, and private sectors. With a background in engineering and planning, he spent eight years at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System... Read More →

Jalisa Gilmore, MPH

Senior Manager of Health and Land Use Programs, Groundwork USA

Jalisa Gilmore is the Senior Manager of Health and Land Use Programs at Groundwork USA, responsible for supporting the implementation of community-centered strategies for building healthier neighborhoods in communities across the country. Jalisa utilizes her background in public health... Read More →

Ari Snow

City Planner, City of Sheridan

Ari Snow is a land use planner with the City of Sheridan, Colorado, where he has served for the past five years. During his tenure, he has played a key role in launching the City’s first tree planting program, advancing Sheridan’s commitment to sustainability and urban resilience... Read More →

Jessica Swindon

Water Program Director, Groundwork Denver

Jessica Swindon is a water protector, environmental scientist, and community connector focused on implementing rainwater harvesting practices and water conservation in our most vulnerable spaces. She has studied environmental science for her entire career but has recently started... Read More →

Alex Tiscareño

Sheridan Inspire Director, Sheridan Inspire & Groundwork Denver

Alex Tiscareño serves as the Program Director for the Sheridan Inspire Initiative at Groundwork Denver, where he leads a multi-partner coalition focused on connecting youth and families to the outdoors. His work centers on building equitable access to nature through community-driven... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Zapata Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Climate Resilient Communities

3:15pm CDT

Clean Water Advocates Unite: Let's work together to protect our waters!

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Olivares

Join us for shared learning and a guided conversation about the challenges affecting our waters, a look at broader community needs, and opportunities to make change for better water protections and advocacy across the country. This is part of a broader initiative of the Clean Water for All Coalition to listen, learn from, engage, and support on-the-ground leaders to work together on a comprehensive national clean water policy reform agenda.

Speakers

Jenifer Collins

Coalition Director, Clean Water for All Coalition

Jenifer (Jeni) Collins serves as Director of the Clean Water for All Coalition, where she oversees the operations of the Coalition, supports member organizations and partners, manages grants and fundraising, and runs Coalition programs and initiatives. Jeni has been working with the... Read More →

Julian Gonzalez

Senior Legislative Counsel, Earthjustice

Julian Gonzalez serves as Earthjustice’s water policy lobbyist as a part of the Healthy Communities team in Washington, D.C. Before joining Earthjustice, Julian worked for GreenLatinos, handling water and oceans policy development, advocacy, and outreach to help ensure Latinx perspectives... Read More →

Martin Castro

Watershed Science Director, Rio Grande International Study Center

As the Watershed Science Director for the Rio Grande International Study Center, Martin has worked to develop RGISC’s emerging Water Security Program by assembling information and scientific research that identifies and prioritizes necessary actions to restore the surrounding watershed... Read More →

Ellen Kohler, JD, MS

Director of Applied Research and Policy, The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania

Ellen joins the Water Center after serving as the Program Director for Water Resources at the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center. Her work there focused on water resource management issues challenging communities in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly supporting... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Olivares Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Clean Water for All

3:15pm CDT

Including Indigenous Worldviews in Texas Water Work: A Two-eyed Perspective

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Lantana

This session will identify mainstream practices of the water/land work landscape in Texas through an Intertribal lens along with gaps in understandings, approaches, and responsibilities. The session will then provide some initial foundations to begin to walk with both eyes open. It is open to all and is an introductory topic.

Speakers

Sabrina Chapa

Founder & Executive Director, Ties to la Tierra

Sabrina is a Coahuiltecan and Mexica, born and raised in South Texas, on traditional Karankawa and Coahuiltecan lands, and from the Gulf Coastal hometown of Corpus Christi. She is executive director of Ties To La Tierra, an ecological stewardship organization that focuses on land... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Lantana Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

3:15pm CDT

Partnerships, Patience, and Participation - A Water Affordability Panel from Three Expert Perspectives

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Sabino

Bringing together perspectives from Illinois, Georgia, and Texas, this panel will delve into different approaches to achieve water affordability. Anna-Lisa Gonzales Castle, Water Policy Director at Elevate, Greg Wukasch, External Affairs Manager at San Antonio Water System, and David Wheaton, Assistant Policy Counsel at Legal Defense Fund will lift up what’s working (and not) and provide insights into both emerging and long-standing programs - and how utility leaders, community groups, and technical experts can drive change.

Speakers

Anna-Lisa Gonzales Castle

Policy Director, Water, Elevate

At Elevate, Anna-Lisa supports water affordability, access, and safe water infrastructure projects in Illinois, and partners to advance equitable water policy solutions at the local, state, and federal levels. Prior to her current role, she led Great Lakes protection efforts, founded... Read More →

Erin Kanzig

Drinking Water Program Director, River Network

Erin leads River Network's efforts to build a future where everyone has access to safe, clean, affordable, and reliable drinking water. She coordinates, trains, and facilitates national, regional, and cohort-based groups to build up advocacy capacity related to water infrastructure... Read More →

David Wheaton

Assistant Policy Counsel, Legal Defense Fund

Greg Wukasch

External Affairs Manager, San Antonio Water System

Since 1998, Greg Wukasch has worked in the External Affairs Department with the San Antonio Water System, beginning as an Education Coordinator and now as the External Affairs Manager including overseeing Uplift-San Antonio Water System’s bill assistance program. Greg really considers... Read More →

River Rally Intro Water Affordability pdf

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Sabino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

3:15pm CDT

Reimagining the EPA: Environmental Justice & Protection for the 21st Century

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Camino Real

Speakers

Dimple Chaudhary

Senior Fellow, Federal Agency Redesign, PolicyLink & Former General Counsel for the EPA

Katy Lackey

Senior Associate, Water Equity & Climate Resilience, PolicyLink

Emily Simonson

Director, Project Redesign, PolicyLink

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Camino Real Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

3:15pm CDT

Resilience on the River: Lessons from Urban Restoration and the Community That Tended It

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Villa

Join the 2026 Emerging Leader, Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy, to learn about her work at the intersection of river restoration and individuals experiencing homelessness.

This session will explore restoration efforts along the leveed section of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz, California. It will focus on "River Stewards", a program that engaged people experiencing homelessness in restoration. During this session we will explore program development, relationship building, adaptive restoration, and the joy that comes with this work. This talk will have information that everyone can benefit from, but will have some technical information for restoration practitioners.

Speakers

Kaiya Giuliano-Monroy

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Villa Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Emerging Leaders and Emerging Issues

3:15pm CDT

Zine Making 101: Telling the Stories of Our Rivers

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Encino

Get into the zine of community storytelling! Art and storytelling are powerful tools that can help us connect more deeply with our communities and build stronger environmental and place-based connections. In this session, Amanda Thackray, Lower Passaic River UWFP Artist in Residence, will lead participants in zine-making to demonstrate low-tech and accessible ways of working with community and to share information about our important waterways. Come prepared to collage, write, and draw together and bring something that speaks to your local waterway to use as inspiration. At the end of the session each participants page will be compiled into a final zine.

Speakers

Elizabeth Balladares

Community Stewardship Manager/Lower Passaic Urban Waters Ambassador, Hudson River Foundation/ NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program

Liz Balladares serves as the Community Stewardship Manager for the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program and Hudson River Foundation where her work focuses on supporting local stewardship and encouraging the use of community knowledge in management decisions. Liz is also the ambassador for... Read More →

Christina Carrero

Community Planning Associate/ Bronx and Harlem Rivers Urban Waters Ambassador, Hudson River Foundation/ NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program

Christina Carrero (NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program and Hudson River Foundation) serves as the Urban Waters Ambassador for the Bronx and Harlem Rivers location, where she works to connect Bronx and Harlem River communities with local, state, and federal resources for advancing water-focused... Read More →

Amanda Thackray

Artist

Amanda Thackray is a multidisciplinary ecofeminist artist-educator based in Newark, NJ, crafting intricate artwork exploring the intersections between nature, industry, and human experience. She is the recipient of Creative Catalyst Fund Fellowships, a Puffin Foundation Grant for... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
Encino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Communications for Water

4:15pm CDT

Beyond the Climate Disaster: Building Recovery That Doesn't Leave Communities Behind

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Olivares

Disasters are already devastating to frontline and historically disinvested communities, but it’s the disaster response and recovery process that can further perpetuate harm to residents by contributing to displacement pressures. In this session, Jackie Rogers (The Garden by the Bay) will share her experience living in Edgemere, Queens (NYC), where residents are experiencing displacement and exclusionary planning in one of New York City’s most flood-prone neighborhoods. In conversation with Rogers and Urban Waters Anti-Displacement Collaborative members Gloria McNair (Groundwork Jacksonville) and Liz Balladares (NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program), we will discuss solutions that prioritize the health and resilience of residents. Participants will leave the session with inspiration and tools to address similar issues in their own communities. We will be showing a short film featuring Rogers and the community of Edgemere- bring your popcorn!

Speakers

Elizabeth Balladares

Community Stewardship Manager/Lower Passaic Urban Waters Ambassador, Hudson River Foundation/ NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program

Gloria McNair

Chief Community Officer, Groundwork Jacksonville

Gloria McNair joined GWJax in 2018 and leads the organization's community outreach efforts. Gloria is responsible for engaging citizens in visioning and advocating for their community, helping to ensure residents have input in shaping GWJax projects including McCoys Creek, Hogans... Read More →

Jacqueline (Jackie) Rogers

President, The Garden by the Bay

Jackie has been the President of The Garden by the Bay since 2021. She has traded her corporate organizational skills into lending her expertise to her community as a community advocate, civic leader, grant writer, and place maker. She believes in building connectors within the community... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Olivares Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Climate Resilient Communities

4:15pm CDT

Building Blocks of Trust: Proven Strategies to Build Trust Between Local Water Organizations and Water Utilities

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Encino

Strong and authentic relationships between community groups and water utilities, built on trust, are essential to ensure our communities have access to clean, safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water; are resilient to floods and droughts; and our rivers are healthy. This interactive session will introduce participants to the “Building Blocks of Trust” and strategies you can use to build trust between local water organizations and water utilities in your community.

Speakers

April Ingle

Interim CEO, River Network

April Ingle, River Network’s Interim CEO, has worked for over 25 years leading organizations, collaborating with partners to advance clean water policy, and supporting individuals and organizations who are working together to protect and strengthen their communities and the places... Read More →

Julianna Roseo

Water Policy Associate, WaterNow Alliance

Julianna Roseo recently joined WaterNow Alliance as our Water Policy Associate based in Philadelphia. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies & GIS Julianna graduated from Temple University with a Master’s in Public Policy. During her studies she had a focus on... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Encino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

4:15pm CDT

Co-piloting your organization during turbulent times

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Villa

Organizational leadership should evolve as the challenges facing them continue to change. In this session, we'll explore how shared leadership models, whether it's co-Executive Directors or a more established distribution of responsibility between the E.D and the Board chair may work within your organization. Together, we'll develop a informal guide that can facilitate the planning or discussion on shared leadership models in your organization.

Speakers

Brenna Goggin

Director of Leadership Development, River Network

Co Piloting your organization No Notes pdf

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Villa Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

4:15pm CDT

HAPPY HOUR: Natural Floodplains Function Alliance

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Zocca

Want to connect with other folks committed to safeguarding and restoring floodplains and wetlands? Join the Natural Floodplains Alliance Happy Hour!

The Natural Floodplains Alliance is a national network of over 2,500 other individuals, nonprofits, and agencies dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural functions of floodplains. A number of network members will be present at River Rally and are hosting a networking hour: join us in person so you can meet other professionals engaged in this work, learn about our quarterly webinars, and get access to resources and training opportunities.

Speakers

Brian

American Rivers

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Zocca Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Healthy Rivers

4:15pm CDT

Rising with the River: Building Leadership Pathways and Support for Emerging Leaders of Color

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Lantana

This session is best suited for emerging and early career professionals of color, especially those seeking support and connection. Participants will explore ways to build mentorship relationships, strengthen peer networks, and reflect on their leadership goals. The session will also introduce practical approaches to recognizing burnout and incorporating self-care into their work. Participants will leave with a few actionable ideas, new connections, and a greater sense of support within the River Rally community.

Speakers

Dr. Angela Chalk, DHA, GIP

Executive Director, Healthy Community Services, Healthy Community Services

Biography Chalk
Dr. Chalk is a fourth-generation resident of New Orleans' 7th Ward and the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit focused on public health issues in the community. She is a former President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served... Read More →

Felice E. Green

Senior Director of Programming, Milwaukee Water Commons

Felice Green is the Senior Director of Programming at Milwaukee Water Commons. She has years of nonprofit experience serving in various leadership positions at the intersections of environmental justice, community partnerships, public health, civic engagement, and advocacy in marginalized... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Lantana Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

4:15pm CDT

Start Making Sense: EPIC’s New DWSRF Funding Tracker

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Sabino

The Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) recently launched its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Funding Tracker, a new resource that analyzes investment decisions at the Intended Use Plan (IUP) stage across 15 focus states. Through state-specific Findings & Recommendations reports and cross-state syntheses, this work provides data-driven insights for policymakers, advocates, and program administrators. It highlights where policy decisions may be misaligned with community need—particularly for small and state-defined disadvantaged communities—and offers recommendations to improve access and strengthen outcomes. Anyone interested in SRF policy will benefit, and attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to use this new resource to interpret funding patterns, identify gaps, and inform more effective policy decisions.

Speakers

Danielle Goshen

Senior Policy Analyst, Water Infrastructure, Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC)

Danielle is a Senior Policy Analyst at EPIC and serves as the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Initiative Lead. Prior to joining EPIC in 2024, Danielle worked on National Wildlife Federation's Texas Coast and Water Program as their Policy Specialist/Counsel where she collaborated with government... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Sabino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Shifting Structures and Building Power

4:15pm CDT

Stewards of Tomorrow: Indigenous-Led Water Protections in the Southeast

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Zapata

Indigenous communities are experts in building resilience and have unique perspectives to share on adapting to environmental change and protecting their waters. This panel briefly outlines climate threats faced by Indigenous communities in the Southeast before highlighting some of the community-centered responses to these threats that focus on preserving land, language, and culture for future generations.

Speakers

Kurt Naquin

PH.D. Candidate, School of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University

Giancarlo Richardson

Cartographer, PNEP Tribal Coastal Resilience Connections Team

Beth Roach

National Water Conservation Manager, Sierra Club

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Zapata Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Clean Water for All

4:15pm CDT

Unpacking “Capacity Building”: The What, Why, and How of our Sector’s Most Overused Phrase

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT

Camino Real

"This session will dive deep into how the Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) has worked to understand constituent watershed groups’ needs and develop targeted programing to support their critical, but often under-resourced, mission-driven work. Through strategic partnerships, thoughtful needs assessments, and creative program development, HRWA has deployed a multi-pronged approach to increasing tangible work outcomes, relational infrastructure, and realized capacity with watershed groups of all kinds. Join us for a discussion to unpack that eyebrow-raising buzz-phrase, “capacity building,” and workshop ways to address the real needs of local groups wherever you work!
This session welcomes anyone, but is most responsive to regional and statewide networks, members of local watershed groups, anyone collaborating with volunteer-based organizations, and funders interested in supporting capacity-building. No pre-existing knowledge of capacity-building work is needed."

Speakers

Hannah Mico

Resilient Communities Manager, River Network

Emily Vail

Executive Director, Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Emily Vail has been the executive director of the Hudson River Watershed Alliance since 2019. She previously served for eight years as the Watershed Outreach Specialist for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program, in collaboration with the... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm CDT
Camino Real Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Sessions, Strong Orgs & Leaders

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