Rivercane Restoration Alliance

Our Mission

The Rivercane Restoration Alliance was formed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Tribal Nations Technical Center of Expertise, in partnership with the Sustainable Rivers Program, The Nature Conservancy, and the University of Alabama Water Institute, to bring Traditional Indigenous Ecological Knowledge together with Western ecological science in pursuit of successful rivercane recovery.

Rivercane at a Glance

<2%of its historic range remains today

~12dense canebrake stands remain nationwide

12southeastern states with active restoration work

$3.8MNational Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant funding restoration

Figures drawn from Alliance reporting and press coverage — see News & Recognition for sources.

Why Rivercane Matters

A Cultural Keystone Species

Rivercane shapes the cultural identity of Native communities across the Southeast — used in basketry, tools, medicine, and spiritual practice for generations.

An Ecological Anchor

Dense canebrakes filter water, stabilize streambanks, buffer floods, and provide habitat for species like the Swainson's Warbler and Louisiana black bear.

A Flood-Resilience Ally

Waterways lined with rivercane saw significantly less erosion during Hurricane Helene than those without it — a natural, low-cost line of defense.

Rivercane in the Field

Close-up of native rivercane in flower — Native rivercane in flower — a rare event in the plant's life cycle

Pencil sketch of rivercane stalks with a Swainson's Warbler nest — Rivercane stand with Swainson’s Warbler nest — field sketch by MP Fedoroff, 2026

Get Involved

Interested in partnering, volunteering, or learning more about rivercane restoration in your area?

contact@restorerivercane.org