International Water Institute

Watershed Education Across the Red River Basin

The International Water Institute (IWI) was formed following the 1997 floods in the Red River of the North. Our mission is to facilitate research, public education, training, and decision support relating to flood damage reduction and water resource protection in the Red River Basin (ND, MN, Manitoba). 

Help us grow our impact by donating to IWI educational programs.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the River of Dreams program. Every dollar of your donation goes directly to support student experiences.

1. River of Dreams introduces grade schoolers to the connectivity of our planet’s water supply and the Red River Basin. The program begins with the 1941 children’s classic “Paddle to the Sea,” by Holling C. Holling. Lessons and activities culminate in each student writing a dream (poem or short story) and decorating a 14” cedar canoe to launch into the Red River Basin near them. Students track canoe progress using riverofdreams.org.
2. River Watch engages high school students in monitoring the health of local watersheds. Since 1995 the program has gathered data from more than 10,000 site visits and currently reaches 20 schools in Minnesota and 5 in North Dakota. At the annual River Watch Forum, students bring local data and research findings to a wider audience and are made aware of environmental projects and impacts throughout the Red River Basin and beyond.
3. River Explorers provides River Watch teams hands-on connections to local watersheds through paddling excursions. River trips teach students about hydrology, river geomorphology, and biological, physical, and chemical relationships. We inspire young people to become water stewards throughout their lives. Some seek careers in natural resource management or sustainability. A few have even returned to IWI as adult staff teaching the next generation.

   2016 River of Dreams