The once dominant Arundinaria gigantea canebrake ecosystems have been reduced to fragmented populations less than 2% of their former extent resulting in a critically endangered ecosystem. Restoration of canebrakes is thus necessary for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in the southeastern United States. Contemporary fragments of canebrakes are trapped between anthropogenic development and closed canopy forests. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of light intensity on rivercane growth and physiology in both laboratory and field studies and thereby enhance restoration success. A laboratory experiment was conducted to test light (partial shading and no shading) and nitrogen (0, 0.5, 5.0, 25, and 100 g/L) effects on seedling growth. Potential interaction occurred between light and nitrogen. Levels of nitrogen up to ten times the commercially recommended amount (0.5 g/L) significantly increased seedling growth when plants were grown under non-shaded conditions. A thinning site was established in an existing rivercane population and forest canopy was reduced 60% by girdling overstory trees. Number of new shoots and new shoot diameter were both increased by thinning. In addition, light response curves demonstrated that rivercane had a typical C₃ light response pattern and field readings showed that rivercane maintained net photosynthetic activity throughout the dormant season. Results indicate that rivercane growth is enhanced with increased light levels. Reduction of overstory canopy is a potential management tool for enhancing survival and growth of existing populations.