Accelerating global river resilience
About us
Co-founded in 2003 by Brisbane City Council, the Queensland Government, Thiess and the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), for over twenty years the International River Foundation (IRF) has championed river resilience to create a legacy of healthy rivers that benefit the world’s communities, economies and ecosystems.
Now, in the face of the triple planetary threat of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, our work has never been more urgent. Protecting our rivers is protecting our future; it is our collective obligation, as individuals and organisations, to take responsibility and drive positive action.
Our platform
We drive positive impact through people and ideas, to combat the devastating effects of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
People
We bring together a global network of change-makers to foster collaboration and build lasting partnerships.
Ideas
We champion and promote practical solutions in river restoration, protection and sustainable management.
Impact
We are a catalyst for action to help preserve rivers for future generations.
Our history
1998
1st International Riversymposium Riverfestival created by Brisbane City Council and Queensland Government
1999
1st International RiverPrize
River Mersey, UK
2000
International RiverPrize Grand River, Canada
2001
International RiverPrize Blackwood River, Australia Australian RiverPrize, Goulbum Broken Catchment, Australia
2002
International RiverPrize
Mekong River, South-East Asia Australian RiverPrize, Merri Creek, Australia
2003
International River Foundation founded, International RiverPrize
Alexander River, Israel
Australian RiverPrize,
Hunter River, Australia
2004
International RiverPrize, Suislaw River Basin, USA Australian RiverPrize, Wallis Lake, Australia
2005
International RiverPrize,
Drôme River, France Australian RiverPrize, Bulimba Creek, Australia
2006
International RiverPrize, Sha River, China, Australian River Prize, Torbay Catchment, Australia
2007
International RiverPrize
Danube River, Europe Australian RiverPrize, Murray Wetland Australia
2008
International RiverPrize
St. Johns River, USA Australian RiverPrize, Lake Macquarie, Australia
2009
International RiverPrize Lake Simcoe, Canada Australian RiverPrize, Oxley Creek, Australia
2010
1st time the International Riversymposium held outside Brisbane in Perth International RiverPrize, River Thames, UK Australian RiverPrize, Derwent Estuary, Australia
2011
International RiverPrize
Charles River, USA Australian RiverPrize Sunshine Coast, Australia
2012
International Riversymposium Melbourne, Australia
International RiverPrize, Willamette River, USA Australian RiverPrize, Condamine River, Australia
2013
International RiverPrize, Mara River, Kenya
European River Prize, Rhine Australian RiverPrize, Glenelg River, Australia
2014
International Riversymposium Canberra, Australia
International RiverPrize
River Rhine, Westem Europe
European River Prize, Mur River
Australian RiverPrize, Lake Eyre Basin, Australia
2015
International River Prize, Lake Eyre Basin, Australia
European River Prize, Segura River
North American RiverPrize, Niagara River Australian RiverPrize, Aorere River, New Zealand
2016
International Riversymposium held in India International RiverPrize, Niagara River, USA
2017
Intemational RiverPrize San Antonio River, USA
2018
20th International Riversymposium Sydney, Australia
Australian RiverPrize
Whangawehi Stream, New Zealand Asia RiverPrize, Pasig River, Philippines
2019
21st International Riversymposium Brisbane, Australia
20th Intemational RiverPrize: James River, USA
Australasia RiverPrize, Pasig River
2020
First virtual International Riversymposium, Virtual initiatives and new programs (RiverAcademy, RiverTalks), Resilient Rivers Blueprint
Thiess International RiverPrize, Thwake River, Kenya
2021
First hybrid International Riversymposium
Resilient Rivers Hub membershis launched RiverForum – Rivers on Fire
& Flood
21st International RiverPrize: River Keyna at Makueni County
2022
25th Anniversary of the International
Riversymposium, held in
Vienna
European River Prize:
Cumbrian Rivers, NE
England
Our mission
We believe that creating a global network of changemakers will inspire the implementation of practical solutions and amplify the impact of investing in river resilience for the benefit of the communities, economies and ecosystems that depend on them.
A global network
