The American Museum of Natural History will host an interdisciplinary forum to highlight recent successful initiatives in freshwater conservation, to discuss cutting-edge ideas and tools, and to investigate how and where these innovations might be implemented on the ground. Through a combination of presentations, case studies and panel discussions, the symposium will highlight initiatives from around the world that inform the ability to understand and protect the biota, processes, and habitats of aquatic ecosystems, as well as to identify and mitigate threats. Symposium topics include: understanding energy flow in freshwater systems and implications for conservation; designating rivers and lakes as protected areas; exploring new remote sensing tools for freshwater conservation; advancing the science of broad-scale freshwater conservation planning; harnessing ecotourism for freshwater biodiversity conservation; restoring massive wetlands using the best available science, and using dams to benefit native freshwater biodiversity.