You could buy a complete house, and they would float it down the river to a railhead on its way to Iowa, Miller points out.

FORBES: A most unromantic river

In that spirit, The Nature Conservancy has agreed to buy nearly 200, 000 acres of land along the St John river that was recently put up for sale by International Paper.

ECONOMIST: Forests

Oxfordshire County Council wants to buy the land to link the east and west of Witney via a second bridge over the River Windrush.

BBC: Witney Cogges Link Road inquiry delayed by high turnout

Its Ohio River basin water-quality trading project will allow those facing high pollution-control costs to buy reduction credits from those whose costs are lower.

ECONOMIST: Nutrient pollution

Eden Valley initiatives include a campaign to get people to buy locally, moves to supply fast broadband services to rural areas and a hydro-power scheme for the River Eden.

BBC: Volunteers speak up for Big Society