How people value rivers, wetlands and floodplains (RWFs) influence their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards these ecosystems and ultimately affects environmental outcomes. Better understanding why people value RWFs and their key ecosystem components such as non-woody vegetation (NWV), helps to determine what factors underpin the social legitimacy required for effective management of these systems. This study sought to ascertain community perspectives on the value of NWV in RWFs via an online survey. The survey and analysis were structured around categories of ecosystem functions and services. This approach was beneficial in providing a common language and framework to understanding the values associated with NWV. However, the ecosystem functions and services approach did not adequately incorporate the emotive connection many people have with RWFs. Based on the perspectives of survey participants, NWV and RWFs more broadly are valued for a range of ecosystem functions and services, particularly regulating functions, habitat provision, and contribution to biodiversity. However, they are remembered and valued by people for the way they make people feel through lived experiences such as recreational activities, personal interactions with nature and nature-play, educational and research experiences. These values include the diverse and dynamic nature of what is sensed – be that seen, heard, smelled, touched or tasted. This study highlighted the role of storytelling in eliciting values and supports established ideas around the use of narratives to navigate complex social-ecological systems. Better understanding the range of ways people value and interact with RWFs will help develop narratives and forms of engagement that foster two-way understanding and collaborative development of EWM that provides beneficial outcomes across a broader audience.