A few weeks ago, I was delighted to see a paper ‘Supporting champions in river management’ I co-authored with colleagues Simon Mould, Kirstie Fryirs and Richie Howitt, get published. The paper centres around the idea of ‘river champions’. These are the individuals that we encounter as researchers, teachers and practitioners in the river management industry, who are particularly influential and effective in driving river management initiatives. A river champion can be anyone – a local community member, Indigenous Traditional Owner, a rural landholder, a practitioner employed in government, or a scientist working in either a professional or voluntary capacity.

In this conversation with Simon – the person who championed this paper – we talk about what makes a river champion, and why we need to support those people who are working for better water and river management. The ‘champion’ concept usefully highlights the importance of critical leaders in environmental management initiatives. Our experience tells us, however, that the label of ‘champion’ would sit uncomfortably on the shoulders of many who play critical roles in advancing river management agendas in their communities and workplaces. The term ‘champion’ conjures up the image of a hero or the elite winner. This is at odds with the humility and modesty of many of the champions we have met – who are typically not the loudest people in the room, but the ones driving change behind the scenes.