Events & Engagement
Events that connect, inspire, and create lasting change for waterways
The ARRC is first and foremost a charity. We offer the below services to the waterway management industry to help fund our ongoing work, collaborating with partners to expand our impact. Learn more about our charity work here.
The ARRC provides specialised stakeholder events and engagement services that build relationships between communities, industry, NRM groups, councils and government.
Our events and engagement services are designed to educate and empower communities to commit to the sustainable management of Australia’s waterways. From tailored workshops and field days, to conferences and forums, our events are grounded in science, knowledge, and relationships, creating energising spaces where people leave with the confidence to act.
What we offer
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Our Approach
Starting with trust and purpose
Decades of experience have taught us that building events and engagement strategies based on trust and purpose creates a strong foundation for genuine collaboration and successful outcomes.
Access to established networks
Working with the ARRC means trusted access to our well-established networks across waterway management, policy, research, and community, creating pathways for collaboration that last beyond the event itself.
Beyond learning, to action
We design and facilitate processes that bring science and community together, blending data with storytelling, leadership with participation, and technical knowledge with human connection. This approach ensures people don’t just learn — they feel motivated and confident to act.
Ensuring inclusive spaces
By creating spaces where diverse voices are heard and respected, we navigate and deliver outcomes in even the most challenging interjurisdictional and multi-stakeholder settings. When people gather to share knowledge, it builds momentum for real and lasting change.
Why work with the ARRC
- We have 18+ years of experience delivering projects that protect and restore Australian rivers.
- By engaging with the ARRC, you support our charitable mission, making a meaningful contribution to restoring and protecting our rivers for current and future generations.
Talk to us to discuss your next event or engagement opportunity.
Our Clients
CSIRO
ACT Government
Commonwealth Enviornmental Water Holder
Murray–Darling Basin Authority
Native Fish Recovery Strategy
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Finterest
Flow-Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
Case Studies
Murray-Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP) Symposium
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Overview:
The annual MD-WERP Annual Symposium brought together over 130 researchers, policymakers, Traditional Owners, academics and water experts for two science-packed days of collaboration and cross-sector dialogue on the future of water and environmental policy across the Murray–Darling Basin.
Our Role:
The ARRC facilitated the symposium, creating an environment where all participants felt heard, respected, and inspired.
Impact:
- Facilitated 130+ participants from across science, policy, and community sectors.
- Event conversations were constructive, solution-focused and grounded in science and lived experience.
- Post-event evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, praising the event’s preparation, professionalism, structure, and flow
The Forgotten River - Community Survey
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Overview:
The Upper Murrumbidgee River is a place of deep cultural, ecological and community value - yet it had been left behind by Federal and NSW water management reforms. 90-99% of the river’s flow was diverted, making it prone to drying up and causing critical impacts for biodiversity and water security. We were asked to design and run a community-wide survey to capture local voices and priorities for this river. The survey received over 1,000 responses, with participants sharing their views on the river’s condition, importance, and future vision. The insights informed State and Commonwealth decision-making for river management and investment.
Our Role:
We developed, implemented, and promoted the survey, designed to engage a broad cross-section of the community. We also created a detailed report and web page that visualises key data and emerging trends, helping translate community insights into meaningful information for policymakers and the public.
Impact:
- 1,064 survey responses collected.
- Findings directly influenced a $50 million support package for the Upper Murrumbidgee River, including:
- $20 million for catchment health initiatives
- $30 million for water purchases in times of drought
- $500,000 to support genuine First Nations engagement in ongoing river management
- The survey outcomes continue to shape how the river is being managed.
Native Fish Forum
Overview:
Australia’s native fish populations continue to face pressures from habitat loss, water regulation, and climate variability. The Native Fish Forum 2024 brought together scientists, industry practitioners and community members to share knowledge and learn about the latest recovery efforts to support native fish.
Our Role:
We helped organise, facilitate, and present at the Native Fish Forum 2024 - a three-day event that united 118 attendees including fisheries managers, researchers, First Nations representatives, recreational fishers, and community groups.
Impact:
- Facilitated 118 participants over three days.
- 21 speakers sharing the latest science, policy directions, and on-ground recovery case studies.
- Inclusion of a field trip to the Upper Murrumbidgee River where participants saw recovery projects in action.
- Participants valued the opportunity to meet others in the “fish space”, strengthen existing relationships and form new partnerships. Many left with a deeper understanding of the next steps for recovery and practical ideas for collaboration, strengthening national efforts.
Flow-MER Annual & Research Forums
Overview:
We worked with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and CSIRO to share the latest knowledge and research from the Flow-MER Program, hosting 3 annual forums. These events brought together scientists, environmental water managers, First Nations representatives, and community voices to share the latest findings surrounding water for the environment and strengthen the connections between research, policy, and practice.
Our Role:
We hosted 3 annual forums and 2 research forums, bringing teams together to exchange practical ideas for better water management. Our team helped make these forums engaging and collaborative, using creative tools like data visualisation, videos, and interactive sessions to translate complex science into accessible outcomes.
Impact:
- Over 7 years, we hosted 3 annual forums, 2 research forums, and an annual 'Flow-MER Fridays' webinar series.
- Over the years, attendance grew, evaluations were overwhelmingly positive, and the forums became a trusted space where research meets action. The legacy of these forums lives on in shared knowledge, connections, and the continuous adaptation of environmental water management across the Basin.
Community Voice for Waterways Surveys
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Overview:
The Community Voice for Waterways project provided an opportunity to hear from communities across the ACT, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Yass Valley and Snowy Monaro regions about their expectations regarding waterway health and management. The aim was to capture community perspectives to shape how waterways will be managed in the future.
Our Role:
We partnered with local councils, government agencies, community organisations, and subject matter experts to design and deliver four surveys, tailored to reflect the context and objectives of each region. The surveys were designed as a two-way engagement tool: collecting valuable insights from community members while simultaneously informing them about waterway management.
We led promotion through our established communications channels, as well as created tailored promotional packs designed to enable partners to share the survey within their own local communities. We produced four regional survey reports and a consolidated synthesis report, which were used to support discussions around water management and planning processes.
Impact:
- 1,027 community members shared their views across the four regions.
- The findings are guiding future waterway management decisions and strategies across the ACT region.
- This survey model has demonstrated the value of combining data collection with community education.
Planting Days and Land Management Workshops
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Overview:
The ARRC works with landholders, local residents, industry groups, corporate partners, and community volunteers to foster shared ownership of restoration outcomes. This includes getting the local community involved in activities such as planting days and land management workshops, building best-practice environmental knowledge and long-term stewardship.
Planting days provide an opportunity for volunteers and corporate partners to directly contribute to the sustainability of their local waterways and landscapes. Workshops and field days translate technical guidance into practical application, sharing knowledge around issues such as riparian management, weed control and habitat restoration.
These events are a great opportunity for people to connect with nature and each other, learn sustainable land management, and to make a tangible difference.
Our Role:
The ARRC runs planting days and workshops, involving community, land managers and volunteers to deliver restoration work where it is needed most.
Impact:
- 100+ planting days, workshops and field days delivered in local communities, from Cooma to Cairns.
- 1500+ volunteers, land managers, and community members engaged at in-person field days and workshops.
- 223,000+ trees planted along waterways.
- Participants leave with a sense of pride and a clearer understanding of how small collective actions can make a big difference.
Contact us to discuss your next event or engagement opportunity.
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The ARRC acknowledges the Country we live on
We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional and Continuing Custodians of Country. We respect and learn from Elders past, present and emerging, valuing their knowledge, insights, cultures and connections to the waterways we love and care for.
Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan promotes a reconciled Australia by supporting and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and experience in the work we do to restore and protect our waterways. We make every effort to involve First Nations collaboration and partnerships in all our on-ground projects.
Support our work
There are multiple ways to show your support for what we do.
Choose your own adventure.
Every donation makes an impact.
100% of proceeds go directly towards our work restoring rivers.
Join us at an upcoming planting day or community event.
Collaborate with us on a range of projects, working to restore our rivers together.
Work with us to achieve sustainability goals and make a positive environmental impact.