A group dedicated to the revival and promotion of Iowa’s rivers is holding its annual conference later this week in central Iowa. Roz Lehman is executive director of the Iowa Rivers Revival which is gathering members in Webster City starting on Friday.

Lehman says Webster City was chosen as it was the first recipient of the group’s River Town of the Year Award for its outstanding river stewardship, for connecting to its river and appreciating its many community benefits.

She says rivers are one of Iowa’s most precious natural resources and deserve to be treated as the natural treasures they are. The theme for the 4th annual Iowa Rivers Revival Conference is "Embracing Our Rivers." Lehman says there will be a host of speakers and exhibits during the full-day Saturday session.

She says there will be educational breakout sessions focusing on recreational opportunities, a policy roundtable with state legislators, and an economic panel zeroing in on rivers and how they can benefit communities, counties and the state. Lehman says the three-day conference will wrap up on Sunday with a tour of the Boone River area.

People will be able to canoe the river or take the nearby biking and walking trail while local experts will be stationed along the trail to point out highlights. For more information, visit the Iowa Rivers website .