It was founded by Betsy Damon, an artist and environmental activist, in 1991 with the assistance of the Hubert Humphrey Institute.
The organization encourages "art, science, and community projects for the understanding and remediation of living water systems.
"[1] As part of this initiative, Damon, assisted by Chengdu-based artist Dai Guanyu, organized two large-scale public events in Chengdu in China and Lhasa in Tibet in 1995 and 1996, respectively, where they invited local and international artists, such as Song Dong, Yin Xiuzhen, Dai Guanyu, and Zhang Shengquan to create new works that respond to the major rivers in these cities.
[2][3] These events featured works that are collaborative, participatory, community-driven, and engaging with the land.
List of participating artists:[7] The second event was organized between 18 August and 3 September in 1996 around Lhasa River in Tibet.