RiverSphere is a project of Tulane University, led by the Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities in partnership with numerous other organizations.

Since its inception in 1998, RiverSphere’s partners have grown to include federal, state, and local agencies; business and public officials; corporations and foundations; and volunteers. Initial support began with a generous land donation from the River Park Partnership, headed by New Orleans business leaders Joseph Canizaro, Coleman Adler II, and William Goldring.

Other notable partner organizations include foundations (J. Aron Charitable, Weatherhead, Coypu, Greater New Orleans), agencies (Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, City Planning Commission of New Orleans, Port of New Orleans, and Office of Naval Research), universities, and institutes such as the Audubon Institute of the Americas.

RiverSphere in its fruition will include numerous disciplines, programs, attractions and events unified by a common inspiration—the Mississippi River.