By Kristin Hewer, MoveUP Environment Committee member

World Rivers Day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of September each year. It was founded by Mark Angelo, who is a Canadian conservationist from Burnaby, BC.

Mark initially founded BC River’s Day in 1980 and, in 2005, the first World Rivers Day was celebrated across many countries. Today, several million people spanning 100 countries celebrate our waterways.

In 2025, World Rivers Day marks 20 years!

So, why do we celebrate?

All rivers around the world are incredibly valuable, and it is important to increase public awareness and encourage stewardship improvement.

Rivers face a multitude of threats, and it’s up to us to ensure their health in the years to come by becoming actively involved.

Rivers are facing pollution, climate change and industrial development, leaving many of them in a degraded state.

World Rivers Day is one of the largest environmental celebrations on the planet – and to think it was started in BC!

‘Waterways in our Communities’ is the theme of World Rivers Day and it emphasizes protecting rivers that remain in a healthy state, and aiming to restore those that have been damaged.

Events are held both in person and virtually; some will focus on education and public awareness activities while others will include river cleanups, habitat restoration projects, streamside plantings, and community riverside celebrations.

For more information on World Rivers Day, visit: worldriversday.com. You can find an event local to you, arrange a river cleanup with family and friends, or learn about the importance of healthy and vibrant waterways.