Uniting people for clean water, climate action, and healthy communities

Clean Water

We work in solidarity with Tribes to restore clean water and healthy fish by reducing toxic pollution.

Climate Action

We use the law, community organizing, and creative communications to stop fossil fuel infrastructure and advocate for a just transition.

Healthy Communities

We engage people who live in river communities to advocate for environmental justice, including strong salmon runs.

Overhead view of the Columbia River

Why the Columbia?

The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest. People depend on the Columbia for clean water, salmon, and much more.

How We Work

We partner with Tribes and unite people to advocate for environmental and climate justice. We use legal advocacy, community organizing, and education to:

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Clean Water

We take polluters to court when the government turns its back on illegal pollution. We advocate for stronger laws to reduce toxic pollution in fish and drinking water. And we push government agencies to take action for clean water.

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Clean Up Hanford

The Hanford Nuclear Site is the most toxic place in America. We partner with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and engage people in one of the most importantㅡand complicatedㅡcleanups in the world.

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Climate & Energy

The Columbia River is threatened by stunning new fossil fuel infrastructure projects—terminals, pipelines, and refineries. The good news? We are fighting back and winning!

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Salmon Recovery

The Columbia once produced more salmon than any river on Earth. Today, populations are a fraction of their historic size. We advocate for salmon and the cultures that rely on them.

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Science & Education

Through free events, educational programming, and trainings, we inspire people to use and advocate for environmental justice on the Columbia. We also monitor water quality and share real-time data on the Swim Guide app.

What’s New

  • 2025 Legislative Session Update
    It’s that time of year in Oregon and Washington’s capital cities when the cherry blossoms arrive and legislative bills must pass key milestones or miss their chance to advance this session. Read more
  • Lewis River Progress, and Concern
    FERC order provides new deadlines for overdue fish passage By Miles Johnson, Legal Director Fish recovery efforts in the Lewis … Read more
  • Beyond layoffs, we need to keep talking about Hanford cleanup
    Photo Credit: Ben Herndon Riverkeeper’s Advocacy Director centers the Columbia River in Hanford conversations By Simone Anter, Senior Attorney & … Read more
  • Keep Oregon Nuclear-Free
    The nuclear industry is teaming up with big tech to overturn Oregon’s moratorium on nuclear power. Taking a “flood the zone” approach, nuclear proponents have now introduced thirteen bills in the 2025 Oregon legislative session, many of them nearly identical. We need your help to stop these dangerous bills and keep Oregon nuclear-free. Read more
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