Caring for our natural infrastructure

Australia's river systems and water supplies are overtaxed, overused and exhausted - and the pressure is getting worse.

With continued growth in population, industry and agriculture, along with a warming climate and lower than normal rainfalls over the past decade, there has never been a more critical time to invest in the health of the country's rivers and wetlands.

Greening Australia's philosophy for caring for our waterways is centred on maintaining our natural ‘infrastructure’. By infrastructure we don’t mean the cement, steel and pipes that people normally associate with the word, but our natural infrastructure of trees, wetlands, rivers, plants and animals - the functioning ecosystems on which our security, growth and quality of life are built.

River Recovery is our major initiative to rehabilitate rivers around Australia. A national program, River Recovery is focused on providing support and resources to help communities repair and restore three important river reaches, with more to start once new partners join the fight.

You can learn more about River Recovery and other inspirational river and wetland projects through the menu on the left.