1. Rivers as bridges:
General information:
info@riversasbridges.org
Xiaodong Kuang: President
xiaodongkuang@gmail.com
Terry Shelton: Communications
Shelton@lafollette.wisc.edu
Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources
Jeff Smoller:
Jeffrey.Smoller@Wisconsin.gov
Rivers as Bridges
The Yangtze and Mississippi
Rivers as a Framework
Developing Mutually
Beneficial Relationships
People-to-People Creates
Shared Ownership
all information found at riversasbridges.org
Two cultures, one connection
以河为媒

2. Mission Statement
Rivers as Bridges
supports peace and collaboration
between China and the United
States by celebrating culture,
conversation, and commerce in
sustainable river systems and
communities.
About RAB Two Rivers
有朋自远方来,不亦乐乎
RAB is a non-profit organization that works to
bring together Chinese students and American
students to learn and grow in one another’s culture.
It began through Hanning Bi, from Suzhou, China,
and Maria Ontiveros from Davenport, Iowa who
both attended University of Wisconsin. They grew
in friendship and both felt the need to protect
resources, while strengthening the bond between
their two cultures. Together, they helped found
Rivers as Bridges, a sister-river collaboration to
create a “bridge” between their two countries,
focused on the lives and people along the great
Mississippi and Yangtze rivers.
The two helped bring together 30 students from
both countries for a pilot program based on
innovative people-to-people projects that
emphasized mutual respect and cooperation, while
learning about natural resources and their role in
the culture, conservation and commerce of rivers
and their people.
The Yangtze and Mississippi Rivers both have
rich histories and are vital channels of commerce
in each nation.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia
and the third longest in the world.
The Mississippi River is the chief river of North
America and the fourth longest in the world.
Both rivers are natural wonders that must be
preserved for both their importance in the
ecosystem and in human commerce.
The Rivers as Bridges project strives to teach
today’s young people to appreciate and protect
the majestic rivers that serve their countries.