Symposium Satellite Event #2

Reviving Rivers: Fast-Tracking Solutions for Climate Resilience

In March 2025, delegates from over 50 countries joined the River Restoration Symposium Satellite Event, where global leaders shared cutting-edge restoration practices, nature-based solutions, and innovative methodologies that can accelerate progress.

Speaker Highlights:

• Dr Stuart Orr, Freshwater Practice Lead at World Wide Fund for Nature
  Rivers sustain a third of the world’s food production, power our economies, and play a crucial role in climate resilience. Stuart explored why restoring rivers isn’t just an ecological necessity—it makes political and economic sense. His presentation connected restoration efforts to COP15 global biodiversity targets, WWF’s Freshwater Challenge, and the role of corporates in protecting water resources.
• Bart Fokkens, Associate expert, Co-founder and Patron of the European Centre for River Restoration
  Bart explored how river restoration efforts have evolved from local initiatives into global collaborations, strengthening biodiversity, water security, and the well-being of millions. Networks like the ECRR are vital for knowledge-sharing and cross-border action—ensuring that rivers thrive for future generations.
• Prof Ian Rutherfurd, Chair of the Alluvium Foundation and Professor at the University of Melbourne
  Ian explored how rural rivers in Western economies, including Australia, have benefited from regulation and community-led restoration, while urban waterways in India and China are becoming key to liveability for a growing middle class. He discussed how these trends can be harnessed to achieve COP15 restoration targets.
• Dr Siwan Lovett, CEO and Founder of the Australian River Restoration Centre
  Siwan showcased real-world restoration efforts, highlighting how skills, expertise, and methods in the sector have evolved. From on-ground riparian rehabilitation to community-led initiatives, her insights inspired those looking to make a difference.
• Prof Fengran Xu, Professor at the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research and Representative of the Asia River Restoration Network
  Prof Fengran Xu showcased the restoration of the Yongding River and the Grand Canal, two historic waterways that have been revived after decades of degradation. His talk also explored river ethics, urban river restoration, and ecological restoration goals—offering insights into both the challenges and opportunities of large-scale river recovery.
• Dr Karin Olsson, Project Manager at the County Administrative Board of Scania
  Most Swedish rivers are fragmented and altered, limiting biodiversity. Karin showed how a catchment-wide approach—where multiple stakeholders collaborate—can lead to cost-effective, large-scale river restoration. She shared strategies that are already making a difference and offer inspiration for river recovery worldwide.
• Reactor Panel: Dr Jo Burton, Director of the Resilient Rivers South East Queensland, an initiative of Council of Mayors (SEQ); Martin Janes, Managing Director of the River Restoration Centre UK; Scott Shipley, Director of Whitewater, Calibre Engineering; Salvador Rico, Rotary International.

This event was proudly sponsored by AmaWaterways.