Australian Rivers Institute

📖 Did you know that understanding our past can help shape a more resilient future?

ARI’s Dr Margaret Cook: Historian, has been featured in the latest Professional Historians Association Journal (CIRCA, Issue 9). Her article explores the connections between history, environment and community, and reflects on the Flood Lines exhibition developed last year in collaboration with artist Kylie Stevens.

It’s a fascinating read and a great example of how research at ARI goes beyond science, bringing together different perspectives to better understand the world around us.

👉 Read the article (page 31):https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5907e06237c581f99cdcd17c/t/69ce2e1c73506d300f49465c/1775119900633/CIRCA-2026-ISSUE-9-UPDATE.pdf

If you’re interested in how history continues to shape today’s environmental challenges, this one’s well worth a look.

Australian Rivers Institute | Griffith University

💧 🌎 Today is World Water Day

Water is essential to life — yet more than 2 billion people worldwide still don’t have access to safe and equitable water.

This year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” highlights how women and girls are disproportionately affected by water challenges, while also playing a vital role in leading solutions.

At Griffith University, including through the International WaterCentre (IWC) and the Australian Rivers Institute, we’re proud to support initiatives that empower women in water leadership.

IWC programs like the Water Leadership and the Pathway programs are helping build leadership capability, confidence, and influence.

Because where water flows, equality grows.

🔗 Learn more:

💧 https://www.unwater.org/our-work/world-water-day
💧 https://watercentre.org/blog/international-womens-day-2026-supporting-women-to-lead-in-the-water-sector/
💧 https://watercentre.org/training/water-leadership-program/
💧https://watercentre.org/training/the-pathway-program/

💧🌏 Great to see the water safety planning approach developed by the International WaterCentre at Griffith University in collaboration with partners and supported by Australian Government research funding, now being adopted at a national level in Fiji.

This work is a powerful example of how applied research can move beyond theory - from research to real-world impact - helping shape policy, practice and community outcomes.

Even more exciting is seeing this approach backed by a national training program led by the Fiji Government, with support from the World Health Organization, demonstrating strong local commitment to implementation and long-term impact.

At its core, this initiative is about empowering communities with the tools and knowledge to improve water safety, sanitation and resilience. All critical to protecting public health and supporting sustainable futures.

👏 A fantastic example of collaboration translating into meaningful change across the Pacific.

Today is the International Day of Action for Rivers

Around the world, communities, organisations and researchers are coming together to celebrate rivers and raise awareness about the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems.

Rivers sustain life: providing freshwater, supporting biodiversity, regulating climate systems and connecting communities and cultures. Yet many rivers continue to face increasing pressures from pollution, climate change and unsustainable development.

At Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute, protecting and understanding rivers is at the heart of what we do. From catchment science and water quality modelling to aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and policy innovation, our researchers are working to help safeguard rivers for future generations.

This year also presents an important opportunity for Australia’s water future. The Australian Government is inviting submissions to help shape the next phase of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, one of the most significant national water reforms in decades.

Today we celebrate rivers, and the science, communities and actions helping protect them. 💧

From dinosaurs to today! Our researchers are helping restore habitat for the incredible Australian lungfish, highlighted by Seqwater 🌿🐟

🐟 The Australian lungfish has been around since the dinosaurs, can live for decades, and calls only a few rivers in SEQ home. But life hasn’t been easy — in recent years, repeated rough weather has washed away underwater plants they depend on for food and to lay eggs.

That’s where Griffith University's Australian Rivers Institute steps in. Downstream of Wivenhoe Dam, they’re leading a study to help these habitats bounce back by restoring ribbon plants. Rather than planting large beds all at once, they let the river do its work — releasing plant clumps downstream and giving them a chance to take root naturally. 🌿

And it’s helping more than just lungfish. Healthy aquatic plants support all sorts of native river life and, as a bonus, help improve water quality. This research is helping to fill critical knowledge gaps and improve how we protect and enhance river health 💧