Protecting rivers and aquatic ecosystems
Only a few rivers in Europe are in their natural state. They need to be protected.
Either by various classical legal means (such as the EU’s Natura 2000, conservation areas, national parks etc.) or by the creation of other “voluntary” instruments o structures.
Another important element to attain the best possible protection of rivers is a network of all parties and campaigns along a river as well as a communication strategy which informs and motivates citizens and decision-makers to take action.
Watch the map about major Citizen protests and campaigns to save the european rivers (ongoing and completed).
Projects and campaigns
A campaign and a network of people, projects and organisations along the entire catchment area to save the Loire, the last big wild river of western Europe
Visit our pages
A Label and a Network for the remaining wild rivers of Europe.
Visit our page
Campaign “Protectwater” : for an ambitious Water Framework Directive
Visit our pages
Projects and campagns for the Upper Loire valley.
Visit our dedicated website
An information campaign for the establishment of a UNESCO Biosphere in and around the unique spring zones of the Loire, the Allier and the Ardèche
Visit ou dedicated website
Protecting Rivers
News
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Corinne Ronot2025-10-12 19:42:182025-10-12 19:45:21France : Resilience Day : SOS Loire Vivante – ERN publishes a video on the anti-floods developments in Brives-Charensac
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Corinne Ronot2025-10-08 09:00:392025-10-10 09:30:01FREE-FLOWING FUTURE: DAM REMOVAL ACTIONS SURGE ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
Dam Removal Day: celebrate free flowing rivers: 2 new factsheets to understand dam and weir removals
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Corinne Ronot2025-10-01 15:00:502025-10-10 09:37:18Living Rivers Europe recommendations to foster the implementation of the Water Framework Directive
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Corinne Ronot2025-08-22 18:35:372025-08-22 16:46:49Tribute to Jean Wencker
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Corinne Ronot2025-07-04 15:50:522025-10-10 15:55:18SNB 2030 remains an ambitious framework, but its success will depend on the ability to remove the obstacles identified by the CNB.
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Rivernet
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Rivernet2025-06-12 15:13:042025-06-12 16:01:13A look back at the exchange and training days on the voluntary protection of private natural areas
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Corinne Ronot2025-06-10 15:47:492025-06-12 15:52:22European water resilience strategy: ambition hampered by a lack of concrete commitments
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Corinne Ronot2025-05-28 15:08:032025-06-12 15:11:21Public consultation to help preparation of the Nature Restauration plans
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Corinne Ronot2025-05-23 15:43:152025-05-27 16:08:49Living Rivers Europe recommendations to strengthen the EU Water Resilience Strategy
Gregor Subic
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Corinne Ronot2025-04-28 13:12:542025-04-28 13:15:38Goldman Prize 2025 : Eco Albania rewarded for his work for the Vjosa
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Corinne Ronot2025-03-28 16:22:412025-03-28 16:23:03Open Rivers Programme : Open Rivers Programme: Two new projects selected in partnership with ERN and SMDMCA
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Corinne Ronot2025-03-20 09:42:312025-03-20 09:42:31Disparition de Philippe Auclerc et Laurent Roy : hommage
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Corinne Ronot2025-01-31 15:21:072025-01-31 15:26:48 IUCN Report Recommends: Stop Water Abstraction at Shushica River in Albania and Use Alternatives
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Corinne Ronot2025-01-27 16:23:032025-01-27 16:25:31Living Rivers Europe publishes its position : Making Europe climate and water resilient
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Corinne Ronot2024-12-12 10:40:452025-01-14 10:59:34Fontgombault (in operation), Bénavent, Saint-Gaultier, Ruffec – the number of micro-power projects on the Creuse River continues to grow
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Corinne Ronot2024-10-15 17:34:022024-10-17 17:36:59The EEA report on the state of water bodies in Europe has just been published : Pollution, over-use and climate change threaten water resilience in Europe
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Corinne Ronot2024-10-10 11:49:002024-10-10 14:12:47Opening of the Poutès dam on Monday 7 October
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Corinne Ronot2024-09-22 08:00:322024-10-10 15:26:33World Rivers Day, another step towards freeing our rivers





ERN France
ERN is the official WWF Freshwater Partner in France and cooperates with WWF Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands and others