In a landmark year for river restoration, Europe demolished a record 602 dams, weirs, culverts and sluices—clearing the way for wildlife to thrive and rivers to flow freely once again.

This ambitious effort is part of a broader European initiative to restore 15,500 miles of rivers by 2030, reconnecting fragmented habitats and allowing fish populations to migrate naturally. By removing these barriers, communities are witnessing the return of salmon, eels and other species that depend on unobstructed waterways. The scale of this year's achievement signals a growing commitment across the continent to prioritise nature alongside human infrastructure. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: Sometimes progress means tearing down what we built—and Europe is proving that restoring rivers benefits both wildlife and our shared future.