International Day of Action for Rivers

Kayaks on the Tâmega River. Image: International Day of Action for Rivers

Today is the International Day of Action for Rivers, a global event to celebrate our freshwater ecosystems and campaign for their conservation.  Born out of the first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in Brazil in March 1997, and organised by the International Rivers NGO, the day has become global , with public events ranging from festivals, press conferences, kayaking events, river clean-ups, protests, religious gatherings and campaign launches.  The intention of BioFresh communication work through this blog, Cabinet of Freshwater Curiosities, twitter and animations is to encourage the wider public and policy makers to better value and conserve our freshwater ecosystems, so such public shows of support for freshwater conservation should be applauded.

Here’s a more detailed description of the day by the organisers:

“March 14 is the International Day of Action For Rivers and Against Dams. Every year, thousands of people around the world lift their voices to celebrate the world’s rivers and those who struggle to protect them. The International Day of Action For Rivers is a day to celebrate victories such as dam removal and river restoration. It is a day to take to the streets, demonstrate and demand improvements in the policies and practices of decision makers. It is a day to educate one another about the threats facing our rivers, and learn about better water and energy solutions. Above all, it is a day to unite – by acting together, we demonstrate that these issues are not merely local, but global in scope.  What will you do for your river on March 14?“

You can find out more details here