Every two years, Naturefriends together with the German Angling Association proclaim a “Riverscape of the Year”. During these years, they organise numerous activities in the selected riverscape, featuring the water habitat and its diverse flora and fauna. The award aims to raise awareness of the ecological, economic and socio-cultural importance of river landscapes as well as to promote protection and renaturation of rivers and the landscape surrounding them.  

This award is primarily given to rivers that are particularly endangered, or where exemplary nature conservation work is done. Since rivers are closely interconnected with the landscape surrounding them, it is essential that the activities focus on the entire riverscape. The current Riverscape of the Year is the White Elster area.