ABSTRACT
In many parts of the world, human activity has resulted in the severe impairment of natural rivers, leading to the proliferation of “restoration” projects that seek to recover lost value. This essay describes the historical practices that have degraded river systems, and reviews ethical principles that typically inform restoration projects. In addition to improving ecological form and function, river restoration projects must also engage the place-based history of riparian communities in a holistic, pragmatic, and participatory manner.
