# data[].attributes.body
Memorable and special moments from the Symposium. How can you share laughter with, celebrate and motivate others in 2018?

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Anne Poelina said that we have the science but we don't tell the stories that bring us together. What stories will engage and unite others around your work for 2018?

# data[].attributes.body
At the edge of current knowledge is often a cliffhanger of assumptions. Questioning the more common of these can lead to surprising and powerful insights.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: Water in free-flowing rivers is being 'wasted'.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: Water in free-flowing rivers is being 'wasted'.

# data[].attributes.body
Government feasibility studies on developing the Fitzroy River (WA) disclaim to the effect that 'these figures do not take into account other users or uses of water in the catchment'.

To inform a more balanced assessment, Prof. Michael Douglas and team researched the economic values of those 'other uses', focusing on wild food harvesting and the major commercial fisheries fed by the outflow from the river as evidence of some of the current, free-flowing benefits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Northern Australia Environmental Research Portal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Science for northern Australia | Northern Australia Environmental Research Portal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What does the future hold for northern Australia's environment? We can't predict what happens next, but we can plan for ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: Increase in rainfall under climate change leads to increase in river flow.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: Increase in rainfall under climate change leads to increase in river flow.

# data[].attributes.body
Questioning a common assumption in climate change hydrology assessments, Prof. Ashish Sharma presented the effects of temperature and antecedent condition to show that despite increasing rainfall, climate change will in many cases lead to decreased river flows in rural areas. However, more intense flooding is expected for urban areas. Read more about the future of flooding below:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Drier soils and reduced water flow in rural areas but more intense rainfall that overwhelms infrastructure and causes flooding and stormwater overflow in urban centres. That's the finding of an exhaustive global analysis of the world's river systems by UNSW researchers.

The study by engineers at UNSW, which appears in the latest issue of the journal Nature Scientific Reports, explored how rising local temperatures due to climate change might be affecting river flows. It reviewed data collected from more than 43,000 rainfall stations and 5,300 river monitoring sites across 160 countries.

As expected, it found warmer temperatures lead to more intense storms: a warming atmosphere means warmer air, and warmer air can store more moisture. So when the rains do come, there is a lot more water in the air to fall, and rainfall is more intense.

But there has been a growing puzzle: why is flooding not increasing at the same rate as the higher rainfall?

The answer turned out to be the other facet of rising temperatures: more evaporation from moist soils - which are needed in rural areas to sustain vegetation and livestock - is causing them to become drier before any new rain occurs. Meanwhile, in small catchments and urban areas where there are limited expanses of soil to capture and retain moisture, the intense downpours become equally intense floods, overwhelming stormwater infrastructure and disrupting life.

"Once we sorted through the masses of data, this pattern was very clear," said Ashish Sharma, a professor of hydrology at UNSW's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "The fact that we relied on observed flow and rainfall data from across the world, instead of uncertain model simulations, means we are seeing a real-world effect - one that was not at all apparent before."

"It's a double whammy," said Dr Conrad Wasko, lead author of the paper and postdoctoral fellow at UNSW's Water Research Centre. "People are increasingly migrating to cities, where flooding is getting worse. At the same time, we need adequate flows in rural areas to sustain the agriculture to supply these burgeoning urban populations".

Global flood damage cost more than US$50 billion in 2013, a figure expected to more than double in the next 20 years as extreme storms and rainfall intensify and growing numbers of people move into urban centres. Meanwhile, global population over the next 20 years is forecast to rise another 23%, from today's 7.3 billion to 9 billion, requiring added productivity and greater water security. The reduction in flows noted by this study makes this an even bigger challenge than before.

"We need to adapt to this emerging reality," said Sharma. "We may need to do what was done to make previously uninhabitable places liveable: engineer catchments to ensure stable and controlled access to water. Places such as California, or much of the Netherlands, thrive due to extensive civil engineering. Perhaps a similar effort is needed to deal with the consequences of a changing climate as we enter an era where water availability is not as reliable as before."

"Climate change keeps delivering us unpleasant surprises," said Professor Mark Hoffman, UNSW's Dean of Engineering. "Nevertheless, as engineers, our role is to identify the problem and develop solutions. Knowing the problem is often half the battle, and this study has definitely identified a major one."

Rainfall data used in the study was collected from the Global Historical Climatology Network, which contains records from over 100,000 weather stations in 180 countries and is managed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. River flow data came from the Global Runoff Database, run by Germany's Federal Institute of Hydrology, which relies on river discharge information collected daily or monthly from more than 9,300 stations in 160 countries.

Photos: Prof Ashish Sharma and Dr Conrad Wasko at UNSW, in their lab in UNSW's Water Research Centre, and the California State Water Project.

Scientific paper: Original paper published in Nature Scientific Reports.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Urban floods intensifying, countryside drying up

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Drier soils and reduced water flow in rural areas but more intense rainfall that overwhelms infrastructure and causes flooding and stormwater overflow in urban centres. That's the finding of an exhaustive global analysis of the world's river systems by UNSW researchers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: Flood zone planning overlays are just for protecting people.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: Flood zone planning overlays are just for protecting people.

# data[].attributes.body
Why not use planning overlays to protect the environment, too? The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage took flooding overlays for the Gwydir one step further by identifying and accommodating riverine-floodplain connectivity to ensure water can continue to reach flood-dependent ecological assets.

According to presenters Simon Hunter & Joanna Taylor, most people were accepting of the floodplain management zones once they learned it was not a issue of water allocation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gwydir Valley Floodplain Management Plan - NSW Office of Water

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
During 2016 and 2017 Water has undergone organisation change. A number of functions relating to the delivery of water services in NSW are now held by Department of Industry - Water and WaterNSW. Over time, content on this website will be updated to reflect these changes.

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Eloise Kendy said that conservation can't happen without partnerships, and patience! Integrated management takes time, money and people working together. Which of these tips can work for you?

# data[].attributes.body
Pia Weber noted the importance of build alliances - if you are many groups fighting for the same cause, join forces and improve efficiency. Make a new network.

# data[].attributes.headline
Everyone loves iconic an target species. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Everyone loves iconic an target species. 

# data[].attributes.body
From carp driving environmental flow releases from the Three Gorges Dam (presented by Lin Cheng) to being culled in efforts to remedy Australians rivers, iconic species can act as a focal point for discussions around environmental flows and aquatic ecology. David Papps reminded us that fishing is a huge community hobby and rationale for action.

# data[].attributes.headline
Slow, slow, fast - allow time to build trust. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Slow, slow, fast - allow time to build trust. 

# data[].attributes.body
The South African Water Act calls for “Some for all, forever.” Brian Jackson spoke about building legitimacy and trust as a defense against political obstructionism through 5 years of talking and action research about the Crocodile River in Kruger National Park. Now they're achieving big outcomes with automated, international-level data sharing. Two takeaways included:

Collect implicit and explicit knowledge from both local managers and experts.

Evaluate progress based on developmental (of the region) criteria, not project-based criteria, to account for cumulative, long-term impacts.

# data[].attributes.body
Environmental conservation and water management are ongoing processes that span many, many human lifetimes. David Papps reminds us that like an Egyptian pharaoh, we must push for change with the time that we've got!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We have worked with a number of Indigenous language groups to create a series of calendars representing their seasonal and ecological knowledge.

# data[].attributes.body
140 years in the making, in 2017 the Whanganui River was the first to achieve legal status as a living entity through the tireless work and vision of the Whanganui iwi. Gerrard Albert described the importance of recognizing the river and its people as an indivisible whole, and likened the previously fragmented management of the catchment to the dismembering of a body.

Gerrard emphasized that "working at this level requires a lot of goodwill". The river will now be co-managed by two guardians, one from the iwi and one from the crown.

# data[].attributes.body
Shanice Martin and Jeanette Fabila performed a lively Welcome to Country at the start of the Symposium, encouraging the audience to get off their seats and dance along with the willy wagtail on stage. The Symposium was hosted on the traditional lands of the Jagera & Turrbal people.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: You can't control the market. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: You can't control the market. 

# data[].attributes.body
Who is accountable for these failings of the Australian water market? We often 'blame the market' but Lyndal Hasselman points out that we actually designed the market, by deciding the "highest value use" and setting incentives etc. So, is the market delivering the outcome we wanted?

# data[].attributes.body
We don't need to see eye to eye to work together. Assoc. Prof. Sue Jackson highlighted the benefits of creating 'boundary objects' that can be interpreted in different ways by different groups while driving collaboration.

Sue described the cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary exchange that occurred during the construction of Indigenous knowledge seasonal calendars for river systems and their subsequent use as socio-eco-hydrological models to inform the choice of flow regimes.

In Canada, Sarah Baines identified differences between 'zero flow' perspectives with  Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations people and the government to identify barriers to collaboration and change. After 8 months of discussions, the idea of a baseline Aboriginal Navigation Flow emerged as a proxy for community use that could then be translated into the 'value' language of each group.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Delta Dialogue Network - University of Saskatchewan

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Delta Dialogue Network (DDN) is a new research partnership that brings together researchers and key partners from three inland deltas: the Saskatchewan River Delta, Slave River Delta, and Peace-Athabasca Delta. Its goal is to understand and build upon the best practices of how knowledge is shared within and across deltas so that it is accessible, meaningful and useful to communities, decision-makers and academics.

# data[].attributes.body
The San Antonio River - winner of the Thiess International Riverprize 2017 - showcased the importance of faith in a vision, and the long-term economic benefits of waterways. Early attempts to divert, drain or concrete over the river bend through the city were resisted, and as businesses slowly popped up in the area it evolved into the biggest tourism attraction in Texas!

More recently, advancements in holistic flood management have driven rehabilitation of the previously straightened and channelized river.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
San Antonio River Wins 2017 Thiess International Riverprize Award

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Thiess International Riverprize, presented by the International RiverFoundation, is the world's foremost award in river basin management. It recognizes and rewards organizations making waves in the sustainable management of the world's rivers, whether at the grassroots or transboundary level. The prize rewards inspiring initiatives that demonstrate Integrated River Basin Management to restore and protect rivers, wetlands, lakes and estuaries.

# data[].attributes.headline
Indigenous understanding of the river as a whole.

# data[].attributes.subject
Indigenous understanding of the river as a whole.

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Anne Poelina and Gerrard Albert each generously shared their cultural and spiritual connections to the Mardoowarra (Fitzroy River) and Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River), respectively.

Gerrard vividly described how Maori understanding of river system health necessitated a whole-of-catchment approach and motivated multiple generations of his iwi to pursue justice by proposing legal mechanisms to unite the river and people.

Anne spoke with passion and humor about the Fitzroy River Declaration by  Kimberley Traditional Owners, the need for Australia to shift to sustainable 'forever industries', and the challenge of managing cumulative development impacts and protecting the river's cultural and natural values. She also called for recognition of Mardoowarra  as a living ancestral being with a right to life, inspired by the success of the Whanganui iwi.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nyikina people are the Yimardoowarra people, the people of the Lower Fitzroy River, in the remote West Kimberley region of Western Australia. For thousands of years Nyikina people have lived in this region and their culture is still vibrant today in their stories, ceremonies, songs and dances.

# data[].attributes.headline
Think big, multi-objective and get the media on board.

# data[].attributes.subject
Think big, multi-objective and get the media on board.

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Eloise Kendy described an incredible journey to facilitate the world's first transboundary environmental water allocation for the Colorado River.

Eloise explained that by identifying multi-objective outcomes (agricultural improvements, ecological benefit) from environmental flows, diverse and unusual funding sources could be enlisted towards the same project.

She also described how they engaged with the media to document and publicize the pulse that was delivered, and how a strong social interest in the project was encouraging for the future.

# data[].attributes.body
An encouraging informal observation was a young baby attending with its parent. This is the normalizing role-modeling that points the way for men and women to support each other while navigating perceived conflicts of work and parenthood and, if desired, stay engaged in the industry during those early months of their child's life. An idea for the future: conference creches!

# data[].attributes.body
What broad actions can we take in 2018, based on takeaway learnings from the individual case studies presented at the River Symposium?

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: We said it all the first time.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: We said it all the first time.

# data[].attributes.body
Prof. LeRoy Poff highlighted how a changing world drives the update of the Brisbane Declaration on Environmental Flows to encompass items such as the engagement of social institutions, communicating 'why people should care', and managing for resilience under climate change.

# data[].attributes.headline
Identify what we can do well,  now, with the resources that we have.

# data[].attributes.subject
Identify what we can do well,  now, with the resources that we have.

# data[].attributes.body
Be realistic about what it will really take to see the desired change, and then set expectations (with yourself, your team & clients) for how much you can achieve with the resources you currently have.

# data[].attributes.body
Celebrate your successes! The gala dinner provided a rare opportunity to recognize the fantastic work of the environmental water sector and award the deserving finalists and prize winners. With such long-term and complex goals for the environment, it's important to step back and congratulate each other now and then.

Read more about the finalists:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2017 Emerging River Professional Award Finalists - International RiverFoundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
East Africa is a water-scarce area with a rapidly increasing population. Determination of environmental flows is needed to ensure that the basic human needs and ecological integrity of freshwater systems are maintained. In 2015 and 2016, environmental flow recommendations were created for the Kenyan portion of the Mara River Basin.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2017 Thiess International Riverprize Finalists - International RiverFoundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ecologically intact, with both catchments flowing into the Bristol Bay basin. They provide minimally disturbed habitat for a wealth of species including moose, caribou, brown bear, 150 species of birds, a rare freshwater seal population, and numerous fish species of which Pacific Sockeye Salmon are globally important.

# data[].attributes.headline
Connecting with fellow young professionals.

# data[].attributes.subject
Connecting with fellow young professionals.

# data[].attributes.body
The Emerging Water Professionals side-program brought together an international cohort of clear-thinking, energetic early-career professionals to network and share experiences. The EWP program provided an anchor within a busy Symposium and added value with social events and workshops.

# data[].attributes.body
There was a strong theme of 'women in water' through the Symposium, including a presentation on the Peter Cullen Trust Women in Water Leadership program and a pre-conference panel session and discussion, summarised here:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Women and Water: Moving from Ego to Eco Leadership

" In the last five years, the number of female students in engineering classes at the University I am part of in India has increased from one in ten to four in ten " - Suparana Katyaini, Panelist at Women and Water 2017.

While other pressures such as different attitudes towards women from one caste to another are still very prevalent, I agree with Suparana that we are seeing progress when it comes to achieving gender equity. Women from different caste, religion, age and background, to me is an example highlighting diversity among women and the benefits this could bring to address the complexity of water issues if decisions are made inclusively. It is also a reminder that we shouldn't treat women or men as homogenous groups.

Dr Anne Poelina emphasised that women's participation at all levels is about diversity and inclusiveness. I would add that it is also about giving both men and women the other opportunities they could enjoy when the gender line is overridden; from as simple a change as allowing men or women to enjoy colours and emotions that are often perceived or structured as 'female' or 'male' only, allowing them to simply be human beings who can fully embrace his or her potential.

This year, the Women and Water session at the 20th International River symposium and Environmental Flows Conference was a real interactive setting between the panel and the audience, allowing everyone to share experiences from all over the world - everyone was a speaker on the night!

"Women compete as soon as we walk out the door," said an audience member. Dr Deborah Nias, another panelist addressed this comment instantly replying, "But so do men!" Instead of arguing about the competitive nature of human beings, Deb shifted our intention to self-empowerment. Self-awareness is a first crucial step. We should ask ourselves, "What can we do and what can I do? We have to feel fear and live it. Put your hand up and don't wait for people to give it to you." What a powerful statement, Deb!

What stood out to me the most were the youngest audience members in the room - a baby in a pram - and also the inter-generational representation among the panelists. Seeing the lady with her baby reminded me of an experience in Myanmar that a colleague shared with me last week. Her organisation works with local communities to monitor river health. Women often miss meetings because of domestic chores. To address this challenge, her team supports women to bring their children along to meetings. This has increased women's participation in discussion and decision making processes affecting their lives. This motivates me to explore further how to create change so that men welcome this practice, and women feel comfortable taking up these opportunities.

The final remark by Anne Poelina made an imprint on me; she has spoken my language. She stressed that young people are not the future, they are living now. It is our task to bring young people along on the journey - speaking their language. We must be creative, innovative and use modern tools - mediums such as apps, music, animation, etc - that young people engage with. It is about story-sharing, communicating or delivering our messages, to bring people with us and to touch their hearts if we want to change from 'Ego Leadership to Eco Leadership!'

I have also been reflecting on what Suparana mentioned; that there is no hierarchy during crisis. Gender, age and caste are irrelevant when we face crisis. Let's not wait until another crisis hits before we transform our mindset from us versus them, old versus young, men versus women. Let's start thinking inclusively now to create better outcomes for all lives on earth.

Written by Vanh Mixap, Coordinator of the International RiverFoundation's Emerging River Professionals Program.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Women and Water: Moving from Ego to Eco Leadership - International RiverFoundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
" In the last five years, the number of female students in engineering classes at the University I am part of in India has increased from one in ten to four in ten " - Suparana Katyaini, Panelist at Women and Water 2017.

# data[].attributes.body
The comedy panel provided a creative end to an engaging Symposium. Hearing some of our senior industry figures make wacky jokes (I hope they were jokes!) about the future in 2050 was refreshing after three big days of serious presentations... but jokes aside, the audience sounded seriously keen for a future President Anne Poelina!

# data[].attributes.headline
Take opportunities to spread knowledge between generations in your workplace. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Take opportunities to spread knowledge between generations in your workplace. 

# data[].attributes.body
Include emerging professionals in decision-making

Delegate activities to those who can grow from them

Alert your superiors to the latest tech-based innovation opportunities for your sector

Summarise the latest thinking for time-poor colleagues

Ask emerging professionals for their ideas and energy

# data[].attributes.headline
Share our 'integration' lessons with other sectors.

# data[].attributes.subject
Share our 'integration' lessons with other sectors.

# data[].attributes.body
Real-world cause and effect doesn't halt at disciplinary boundaries.
Environmental flows professionals have skills in juggling complex problems, managing multiple stakeholder groups, and merging the social and physical.

'Integration' is an increasingly important theme in many sectors. How can we share our learnings more broadly than the River Symposium?

# data[].attributes.body
"If you love the river [...] keep the muckwits at bay!" Lesson #1 from watching David Papps' keynote was that a sense of humour always helps to engage your audience!

The advice David shared from his time as Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder reflected recurring themes in the River Symposium:

1. "Building social licence 2.0 - trust; credibility; support"

2. "Political support at all levels"

3. "Resist tinkering with the architecture"

4. "Think in ecological timeframes"

5. "Expand and improve monitoring and evaluation and thence contemporary best practice in adaptive management"

6. "[Stakeholders] do what they promised"

7. "Improve management of ewater in unregulated systems - more science and innovation"

8. "Groundwater - what, where and how?"

9. "Greater focus on water quality"

10. "Integrated catchment management (as if we wanted it to work)"

# data[].attributes.body
Community perception can play a large role in empowering or challenging water quality improvements, so bringing them along for the ride is essential. The Mt Lofty Ranges and ACT Healthy Waterways projects provide contrasting case studies.

Stephen Packer pointed out how the South Australian EPA found water quality improvements for the Mt Lofty catchment a hard sell given that, with water utilities spending big on treating it for drinking, the public didn't see any issues with its current state. His advice was to not start such a complex project until everyone was on board.

Over in ACT, engineers, scientists, urban designers and the community were consulted in an extensive process to choose urban stormwater treatment options based on both science and social values. Justin Foley from ACT Healthy Waterways emphasized the importance of "giving [the community] the knowledge they need to provide the feedback into the process." Community education included this video:

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: The environment needs protecting.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: The environment needs protecting.

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Erin O'Donnell investigates attitudes to the environment as it gains 'legal personhood' and finds that people's sense of wanting to protect the environment may change - "it doesn't need my support any more" - warning that while there are legal benefits, it may come at the cost of community support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ACT Healthy Waterways is a joint initiative of the Australian and ACT governments to protect and improve long-term water quality in the ACT and the Murrumbidgee River system. The project will reduce the level of nutrients and pollutants entering our lakes and waterways that, in turn, have a significant impact on Australia's iconic Murray-Darling Basin.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: Gender mainstreaming is the solution.

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: Gender mainstreaming is the solution.

# data[].attributes.body
"When [gender] is mainstreamed, then we can't find it" said Vanh Mixap & Yu Yu Htay while presenting OXFAM's Gender Impact Assessment manual as a valuable tool for more inclusive water-related development projects.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Oxfam's 'Balancing the Scales' project promotes the use of gender impact assessment in hydropower. Focused on the Mekong region, understanding how impacts of hydropower development are experienced by men and women differently can help developers ensure their projects minimise harm, and potentially, how they can play a positive role in addressing gender inequality.

Oxfam has produced a Gender Impact Assessment Manual that promotes a step-by-step gender impact assessment process - specific for hydropower. It provides analysis on the laws and regulations which protect women's rights in the Mekong, and makes recommendations for how hydropower sustainability assessment tools can be strengthened to consider women's rights and gender.

The GIA Manual is designed for use by hydropower and consulting companies involved in social and environmental impact assessment. It is a manual which gives guidance to business for considering gender across the project cycle.
Download The GIA Manual in full (PDF - 7MB)
The GIA manual has adapted many proven gender impact tools to the context of Mekong hydropower development. It provides checklists for developers to help ensure they have assessed gender impacts at different stages of project development; and which help guide companies to consider how a project can contribute to positive outcomes for women, as well as men.

National Policy Assessments are also available below:

Download the Burma National Policy Assessment (PDF - 2MB) Download the Cambodian National Policy Assessment (PDF - 481KB)
Download the Vietnam National Policy Assessment (PDF - 921KB)
Download the Lao PDR National Policy Assessment (PDF - 605KB)
Download the synthesis report of the lower Mekong National Policy Assessment (PDF - 964KB)

Focused on the rapid expansion of hydropower in the Mekong region, Balancing the Scales is supported by the Challenge Program on Water and Food, and Australian Aid; undertaken in partnership between Oxfam and NGO Forum on Cambodia, Green ID in Vietnam and Oxfam Laos.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Oxfam has produced a Gender Impact Assessment Manual that promotes a step-by-step gender impact assessment process - specific for hydropower. It provides analysis on the laws and regulations which protect women's rights in the Mekong, and makes recommendations for how hydropower sustainability assessment tools can be strengthened to consider women's rights and gender.

# data[].attributes.headline
Assumption: Total flow is the most important parameter. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Assumption: Total flow is the most important parameter. 

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Sarah Laborde's research on changing flooding patterns of the Logone River in Cameroon
Canal shows that the increased digging of canals has hastened the drainage process. The synchronicity of livelihood activities on the floodplain has therefore become strained, due not changes in total flow (often the concern of e-flows) but rather to the altered 'rate of change' of discharge.

# data[].attributes.body
Real life is rarely a textbook example. Contextual quirks are what challenge us to be innovative when applying theory to practice, as these speakers reminded us.

# data[].attributes.body
History: Historical grievances are very real [regarding transboundary water management]... [and] cooperation & conflict aren’t binary concepts. Paula Hanasz

Novelty: New listed species can drive new level of commitment and discussion [to environmental flows] but also more challenges! Natasha Bellis & Kate Fitzpatrick

Existing legislative structures: With prior appropriation, the oldest water licences are served first before newer ones. So how to backfill environmental flows with some of this higher-security water? Natasha Bellis & Kate Fitzpatrick

Existing physical structures: 7+ years have been spent retrofitting devices to allow environmental flow releases from the dams of Portugal, and there are plenty still to be done. Vanessa Ramos

Language: People may equate water 'governance' with 'government', but it isn’t necessarily. Dr. Sokhem Pech

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
water conservation in the deschutes basin

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
streamflow restoration in central oregon

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
streamflow restoration in the deschutes river

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Deschutes River Conservancy has been working on streamflow restoration in the Deschutes Basin for over 16 years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bringing the River Back to the Sea | The story of the Colorado River pulse flow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On March 23, 2014, the gates at Morelos Dam on the U.S.-Mexico border were opened to release a temporary "pulse flow" of water into the dry delta in hopes of restoring some of the natural bounty the river once provided.