Willamette Riverkeeper
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Mission Statement
Willamette Riverkeeper works to protect and restore the Willamette River's water quality and habitat through advocacy, education, and restoration. Our programs engage in advocacy, policy, education, research, and hands-on action. We work on a variety of issues throughout the Willamette River basin, from large-scale restoration projects to upholding the Clean Water Act. WR also works on the cleanup of the Portland Harbor Superfund site, and works to preserve and enhance public lands along the Willamette River and its tributaries.
About This Cause
Willamette Riverkeeper (WRK) works to protect and restore the Willamette River so that it is healthy, safe, and accessible for all people and wildlife. Since our founding in 1996, we have been the only nonprofit solely dedicated to the care and recovery of the entire Willamette River system. We are a proud member of Waterkeeper Alliance and serve as the official “Riverkeeper” for the 187-mile Willamette River, its major tributaries, and the communities that depend on it. Our mission is simple and unwavering: to protect and restore the Willamette River through advocacy, science, community engagement, and on-the-ground action. Who We Are Willamette Riverkeeper is a community-driven, science-based environmental organization with offices in Portland and Eugene. We are led by a team of advocates, scientists, legal experts, restoration practitioners, community educators, and dedicated program staff. Working alongside thousands of volunteers and dozens of partner organizations, WRK provides a critical voice for clean water, healthy habitat, and equitable access to natural spaces across the Willamette Basin. Our Work WRK carries out a diverse set of programs designed to improve water quality, strengthen habitat, advance environmental justice, enforce environmental laws, and empower communities to take action for the river. Clean Water Act Enforcement We use the Clean Water Act and other legal tools to hold polluters accountable, improve water quality, and protect public health. This includes monitoring pollution sources, reviewing industrial permits, advocating for stronger regulations, and taking legal action when necessary to stop harmful discharges or enforce environmental standards. Our work ensures that every community along the Willamette benefits from clean, safe water. Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup A 10-mile stretch of the Willamette River in Portland—known as the Portland Harbor—has long been contaminated by decades of industrial activity. Willamette Riverkeeper has been a leading voice since the site was designated a federal Superfund in 2000. We work to ensure the cleanup is protective, science-based, and completed as quickly as possible. We engage community members, review technical documents, participate in planning processes, and advocate for strong cleanup actions that protect human health, fish, wildlife, and future generations. Habitat Restoration WRK leads and supports large-scale habitat restoration projects that heal critical floodplain and riparian lands throughout the basin. We are currently working to improve more than 1,100 acres of habitat vital for water quality, wildlife, and climate resilience. Our restoration work includes invasive species removal, native plantings, side-channel reconnection, wetland restoration, and long-term stewardship. We partner with private landowners, tribes, state agencies, cities, and conservation organizations to restore ecological processes and enhance biodiversity. River Guardian Program River Guardians is one of WRK’s fastest-growing initiatives. We train volunteers to regularly monitor specific stretches of the river for pollution, illegal dumping, habitat destruction, abandoned camps, and other concerns. This citizen-led network helps us identify issues quickly and respond effectively. The program also includes monthly trash cleanups in multiple cities, where volunteers remove thousands of pounds of garbage from riverbanks, parks, and islands each year. River Guardians strengthens community stewardship and creates direct, measurable impact. River Discovery – Paddle Trips & Community Engagement Our River Discovery program offers monthly guided paddle trips throughout the basin, providing opportunities for people of all experience levels to explore the Willamette firsthand. These accessible outings help build a deeper connection to the river, foster environmental stewardship, and increase public understanding of river ecology. Thousands of people have joined these paddle trips to experience the Willamette’s beauty, learn about its history and challenges, and become advocates for its future. Science, Research, and Species Protection WRK conducts research and monitoring to assess water quality, identify threats, and inform policy and restoration actions. Our work often focuses on species listed under the Endangered Species Act, including salmon, lamprey, and western pond turtles. Through surveys, habitat assessments, and collaborative science partnerships, we help ensure that management decisions protect the species that rely on a healthy river ecosystem. When ESA protections are violated, WRK uses legal tools to enforce compliance and protect vulnerable wildlife. Our Impact Every year, our work engages thousands of people and produces tangible improvements across the river system. In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 volunteers contributed their time through cleanups, habitat projects, and community science programs. Through hands-on stewardship, education, advocacy, and restoration, Willamette Riverkeeper consistently delivers measurable benefits: * Reducing pollution and preventing harmful discharges * Restoring floodplains, wetlands, and riparian forests * Advancing cleanup of contaminated areas * Providing equitable access to nature through public events and outreach * Strengthening climate resilience across the basin * Supporting biodiversity and species recovery * Empowering communities to monitor and protect the river Why Support Willamette Riverkeeper? The Willamette River is central to the health, identity, and economy of Oregon. It supplies drinking water, supports agriculture, provides habitat for fish and wildlife, and offers recreation for millions of residents and visitors. But the river continues to face immense pressures—from pollution and industrial contamination to habitat loss, climate change, and increasing demand for natural resources. Your support helps us: * Hold polluters accountable * Advance long-overdue cleanups * Restore critical habitat * Connect communities to the river * Protect drinking water and public health * Build a healthier, more resilient future for all who depend on the Willamette Together with partners, volunteers, and donors, Willamette Riverkeeper is working every day to ensure that the Willamette River thrives—for the communities who rely on it now and for generations to come.