Photo Credit: Paloma Ayala
By Emily Kao, Advancement Director
I grew up swimming in the Columbia all summer long. Starting in those elusive few hot days in May up until school started in September, a day rarely went by when I didn’t at least jump in. I started volunteering for Columbia Riverkeeper in high school, and later joined the staff, because I hope that, long after I am gone, kids can still play in the Columbia.
Columbia Riverkeeper unites people to fight for clean water, salmon recovery, and our climate. And together we make an impact.
Columbia Riverkeeper is powered by thousands of people with a shared passion for clean water, climate action, and a river that unites us. We also partner with incredible nonprofits and encourage you to consider supporting our partners. This month, we are highlighting the work of Khimstonik (npgivingvoice.org), which organizes an annual multi-day canoe journey and camping trip to reconnect people with the Lower Snake River landscape and highlight the urgent need for Lower Snake River dam removal.
In the first half of 2025, Columbia Riverkeeper’s team punched above its weight. Highlights include:
- Stopping new nuclear reactors. We worked in solidarity with the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, nonprofits, and community members to thwart 13 proposals to weaken or overturn the State of Oregon’s ballot initiative banning new nuclear development. Beyond nuclear, we weighed in on more than two dozen bills in Washington and Oregon.
- Enforcing the Clean Water Act. We filed two new legal actions and prevailed in settlements in two cases brought in 2024, including a lawsuit holding a major source of industrial agriculture pollution accountable.
- Advancing fish recovery. For years, we have worked in solidarity with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to advocate for salmon recovery in the Lewis River, an important tributary to the Columbia. This effort took an important step forward recently, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new deadlines for PacifiCorp to build fish passage at Lewis River dams, which currently block salmon and steelhead from 57 miles of spawning and rearing habitat.
My childhood memories of summer on the Columbia run deep. I asked my coworkers’ kids why they love playing in and along the Columbia, their answers included:
“Netting a salmon is very exciting—and a little bit scary.”
“You can dig holes.”
“It’s really, really fun and you can play around and splash.” (I agree!)
This year marks 25 years of incredible victories powered by work in solidarity with Tribes and river communities. Help us keep up the momentum at this critical time in history by joining our River Sustainer program or making a one-time donation. And get out on the river!