We are a charity restoring rivers and empowering others to do the same.

Our WorkSupport us
Curved, transparent swirl shape overlaying a scenic view of a river winding through forested hills at sunset.

Backed by 18 years of experience, we deliver on-ground action so that people and nature can thrive.

Why Rivers?

Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. They nourish ecosystems, connect communities, and sustain life itself.

Yet many of Australia’s rivers are struggling. Decades of extraction, clearing, and neglect have threatened our most precious resource - water.
‍
Across Australia, people are working to restore rivers - healing habitats and bringing hope to communities and future generations.
‍
We’re here to amplify these efforts. Restoring rivers means restoring water security, biodiversity, climate resilience, and wellbeing for all. Water is life, and by caring for rivers, we care for ourselves and our planet.

Simple black and white icon of a potted plant with two leaves.

Water is life

Every living thing on this planet needs water to survive. Rivers are vital for our drinking water, agriculture, biodiversity, recreation, cultural connection and the environment.
Black and white icon of a globe with a thermometer indicating climate change.

Climate change

While rivers are critically impacted by our changing climate, they are also a significant solution to increasing climate resilience.
Icon of a smiling face surrounded by four leaves arranged symmetrically, representing wellbeing.

Wellbeing

It has been proven that spending time in and connecting to nature is fundamental to our wellbeing and mental health.

Our Work

Learn More about our work

On-ground river restoration

We work with landholders and partners to deliver river restoration projects at a catchment scale. Our integrated approach combines science with strategies like revegetation, erosion control, stock exclusion, and invasive species management.

Building knowledge and capacity

We provide resources such as guidelines, workshops, and webinars to support sustainable farm management, developing skills and encouraging landowners to start their own river restoration journey. We engage volunteers and businesses in planting days.

Dry riverbed with sparse water flow surrounded by dry vegetation and tall green trees under a hazy sky.

Advocacy

Our advocacy work influences governments, agencies, councils, and the broader community to secure stronger protections, better water policy and recognition of cultural flows. We drive policies and practices that ensure current issues are brought to the forefront, ensuring river health remains a national priority.

Our Impact

Simple blue icon of a river with two shores and water flow in the center.
330 km of waterways and 2,000 hectares of land protected – further than the distance from Canberra to Sydney
Icon of a hand holding a stack of coins with a dollar symbol, representing funding or financial support.
Led the Forgotten River campaign which helped secure $50 million of Commonwealth funding to restore the Upper Murrumbidgee River
Icon of three stylized human figures representing a group of people.
Partnered with 600 landholders to undertake on-ground restoration on their properties
Yellow smiling face emoji with closed eyes and open mouth against black background.
1,500 volunteers, land managers, and community members engaged at in-person field days and workshops
Group of protesters with red hats holding signs and raising fists in a demonstration.
Assisted the campaign that successfully stopped efforts to raise the Warragamba dam wall
Icon of a magazine with a photo and lines representing text on the cover.
Developed over 40 practical waterway management resources to support property owners make a difference across Australia
Icon of a hand holding a seedling plant with two leaves above soil, symbolizing planting or growth.
222,675 trees planted – that’s more than 40 trees planted every single day over 15 years
Two people sitting on stools facing each other with a laptop on a small table between them.
50+ educational field days and workshops held for landholders and community groups, from Cooma to Cairns
Icon of a legal document with a hand holding a pen, signing a will and testament.
90 alumni from our Emerging Leaders Waterway Management Program
Icon of a person yelling with sound waves coming from the open mouth.
Run the World Rivers Day #ShoutOutOurRivers campaign each year, bringing attention to waterways across Australia.

What others say about us

I am nearly moved to tears with gratitude for your work and that of David Pocock in getting the funding for the desperately needed rehabilitation and restoration of the Upper Murrumbidgee, the river that has been very much a part of my life for about 55 years. I had felt I was dying with the river and felt so frustrated that I was unable to do much about stopping and turning around its degradation, particularly since the 1990s/2000s. Now I know that before I make my last cast, I’ll see my beautiful stream and catchment (and tributaries like the wonderful little Gudgenby) come back to life. Thank you doesn’t adequately express my feelings, but thank you!
Graham Pike
The rivers needed a voice without fear or favour, and Siwan and the team brought this with the ARRC. I know that my intentions for Australian rivers and our industry, including informing and advocating, have been strengthened by having the ARRC around.
Dr Geoff Vietz, Streamology
Successful programs are underpinned by shared vision and collaborative relationships. The ARRC team help to build both using people-centred approaches to mentoring, leadership and science communication. I have been personally inspired by the work of the ARRC and Siwan Lovett’s industry keynote presentations, which are always innovative and filled with sage advice. Using genuine engagement and partnership approaches to build connections based on empathy, the ARRC are making a difference in river health management and leadership.
Dr Sarina Loo CEO, Victorian Environmental Water Holder
Our wonderful, majestic rivers and streams are the arterial life blood of our country, and the fantastic work undertaken by the ARRC team gives these waterways a voice. I fully support and endorse the tireless work the team performs for the riparian zone and the abundance of aquatic creatures that call these areas their home.
Andy McGovern
Thank you very much for giving this jaded landcarer a reminder of what is being achieved and the wonderful people out there who are also working to rejuvenate our land.
Heather, Workshop volunteer
As a family we often sit by the Upper Bidgee and paddle in her waters.   My 4-yr old has been interested in what I do all day – I told her ‘I look after rivers to help them be healthy’. Last month we were sitting by the Upper Bidgee, she looked at the river and then at me and asked if I ‘look after this river’. I said ‘no, not this particular part, but now, there are people who do’ (thank you ARRC).  Then, out of nowhere, she said ‘this river needs more life’, I asked what she meant, and she said ‘more fish and birds’ - I had to agree with her.   Amazing what a 4-yr old intuitively knows.
Donor
I am a catchment management planner, and your presentations and work provided me with great ideas. Will definitely attend future events.
Webinar attendee

Support our work

There are multiple ways to show your support for what we do.
Choose your own adventure.

Young plants protected by green tubes planted in rows on a grassy riverbank with trees and hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
Make a donation

Every donation makes an impact.

Person wearing a black cap and hoodie drinks from a white mug behind a table displaying fish illustrations and mugs with fish designs.
Buy some ARRC merch

100% of proceeds go directly towards our work restoring rivers.

Smiling person wearing glasses and a cap crouches in a field holding a crate with small plants ready for planting.
Volunteer

Join us at an upcoming planting day or community event.

Pastureland with dry grass, a calm river curving through the center, scattered trees, and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Services

Collaborate with us on a range of projects, working to restore our rivers together.

Small blue and black bird perched on a wooden fence post with blurred green vegetation in the background.
Corporate partnerships

Work with us to achieve sustainability goals and make a positive environmental impact.

Latest podcast and blog updates

Episode
39
The Art of Healing Rivers

Guests:
Professor Kirstie Fryirs, Geomorphologist at Macquarie University

How do rivers heal themselves? Professor Kirstie Fryirs, co-developer of the River Styles Framework, challenges everything you think you know about river restoration. From heavy metal research in Antarctica to her beloved Franklin River, discover how this pioneering geomorphologist learned to let rivers heal themselves.

Listen
Performers and guests gathered at the Riversong music event celebrating Australia's rivers

Riversong: A Night of Music, Memory, and Celebration for Our Rivers

A sold‑out night of choral music and storytelling, weaving First Nations wisdom, ecological urgency and hope to celebrate—and protect—our rivers.

Jimmy Hooper
May 22, 2025
Aerial view of the Murrumbidgee River winding through the Murray-Darling Basin landscape

Interweaving love, knowledge, and action: how we are bringing back the Murray-Darling Basin’s Forgotten River

How love for Country, First Nations knowledge and science are restoring the Murray–Darling Basin’s Forgotten River—and reconnecting people to place.

Siwan Lovett
September 4, 2024

Beyond National Reconciliation Week: How to take meaningful everyday action in the pursuit of reconciliation?

Practical ways to take meaningful, everyday action beyond National Reconciliation Week—centering respect, learning and shared responsibility for Country.

Lucy Stuart
May 29, 2024