A Reverence for Rivers

Imagining an Ethic for Running Waters

A book by Dr. Kurt Fausch

A person fishing in a river during sunset, surrounded by trees with yellow and orange leaves, rocks in the water, and a partly cloudy sky.

A Reverence for Rivers draws readers into the ethical dilemmas facing rivers worldwide, through engaging storytelling about seven rivers Fausch came to know well

From the Salmon River, Oregon to the Sarufutsu River, Japan, he addresses threats like increasing water demands, habitat fragmentation, overfishing, and climate change.  

Through narratives that translate science into language accessible to a broad readership, Fausch weaves deep Indigenous histories and thoughtful observations of the natural world, reminding us that our connections to rivers flow from the stories we carry about our relationships with and responsibilities to these rivers.  

A Reverence for Rivers speaks to both mind and heart, offering perspectives for creating an ethic of care for the running waters that feed not only our bodies but also our souls. 

The book is published by Oregon State University Press (2025), and can be ordered from them or your local bookseller.

“I realized that we will need an ethic for rivers if we hope to conserve them…  ”

  • “Written in the tradition of Aldo Leopold, A Reverence for Rivers makes a case for ethical river conservation in plain language.  Fausch shares stories from a lifetime studying rivers that extend beyond the science, to include the cultural perspectives of indigenous people and show the urgent importance of rivers for sustaining a livable planet for all of us.”

    — Peter Moyle, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of fish conservation, University of California-Davis and coauthor of Protecting Life on Earth: An Introduction to the Science  of Conservation

  • “In A Reverence for Rivers, Fausch translates his own river passion into prose that is insightful, educational, inspirational, and thought-provoking. He speaks from a deep well of scientific knowledge about rivers, and extends that knowledge to probe philosophical questions that set the foundation for a new river ethic.”

    — Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters, Senior Freshwater Fellow — World Wildlife Fund, and author of Chasing Water: A Guide for Moving from Scarcity to Sustainability

  • "A Reverence for Rivers is an eloquent contribution to developing an ethics of river conservation. Fausch’s writing is lyrical, and the lessons are profound. Readers cannot help but become more receptive to the beauty and complexity of rivers, and the astounding vitality of riverine life. To read this book is to become a more committed member of, and advocate for, the community of all beings within and beyond rivers.”

    — Sandra Lubarsky, Professor Emeritus of sustainable communities, Northern Arizona University, and coauthor of On Beauty: Douglas R. Tompkins--Aesthetics and Activism

  • “However you choose to read this book— as an angler, student, researcher, or ethicist— I recommend that you do. The stories highlight why we should expand our thinking to encompass all our relations, both as a practical necessity for ecological research but also as a moral obligation to the generations that follow.”

    — Nathanial P. Hitt, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, review in Fisheries, September 2025

Two men standing outdoors near a rocky riverbank with green trees in the background, engaged in conversation. The man on the left is in a blue t-shirt, and the man on the right is in a light blue button-down shirt and khaki shorts.

Help Foster River Conservation

Most of the images and all the videos here were created by our friends at Freshwaters Illustrated, Jeremy Monroe (founder and Director), Dave Herasimtschuk (photographer and cinematographer), and their colleagues. Their images and videos have been educating others and helping move the needle on river conservation for more than 20 years.

Please join their non-profit organization and donate generously to help foster conservation of rivers and streams worldwide.

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Reviews for A Reverence for Rivers

  • Podcast review on the New Books Network by host Michael Simpson

    Listen Here

  • Blog post from Oregon State University Press

    Read Here

  • Review from Fisheries magazine by N. Hitt

    Read Here