Members

Kalama, Washington, residents are courageous and dedicated to protecting the Columbia and their community. 

Peter and Bridget have dedicated countless hours to clean water and Riverkeeper over the last decade. 

Paloma connects her passions for the outdoors and photography with her commitment to justice and sustainability.

Imagine a fairytale where a librarian and an artist, living in a cabin in an enchanted forest, slay the evil dragon who threatens their friends and family. That is Cheryl and Ted's story; two remarkable human beings who protected river communities from multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas terminals and pipelines.

Over 500 volunteers across the Columbia Basin made our 2017 Love Your Columbia Day a huge success. We celebrated with 15 different events and collected nearly 16,000 pounds of trash along the river. This tally doesn’t even include the acres of invasive weeds we cleared or the many community barbecues, float trips, and celebrations.

Riverkeeper held an Earth Day clean up event at the Smith & Bybee Wetlands in Portland, organized by volunteer Courtney Rae. Fifteen volunteers picked up 25 bags of garbage and removed several hundred pounds of blackberry bushes. 

As Riverkeeper’s Clean Water Champion Interns, Robbie and Marissa are developing culturally appropriate materials on pollution and solutions. 

Linda is a one woman powerhouse. Linda’s volunteer work extends far beyond reviewing detailed spreadsheets; she was in the trenches, fighting the oil-by-rail terminals threatening Vancouver.

Paul is an active volunteer in our campaign against coal export on the Columbia and helps us educate the public by generously donating his amazing photographic skills. 

Lani Jo, owner of the Clinton Street Theater in Portland, is inspired by the artists and activists who are doing good in our communities. 

Laura collects water samples from various popular swimming and recreation sites in Hood River and tests them for E. coli to ensure public safety. 

Gayle was a key leader in Longview, WA, to defeat Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and coal export terminals. 

A big thank you to our business sponsors eNRG Kayaking, Big Winds, Sensi Graves Bikinis, and Pistil Designs, for providing fun incentives for giving.

Riverkeeper deeply appreciates Maura Fahey and the Crag Law Center for representing Riverkeeper in our efforts to protect the Columbia River.

We salute Wisdom of the Elders, which provides environmental conservation training and career pathways for Native American adults.

Alfrieda Peters serves as the education and outreach specialist for the Yakama Nation Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (ERWM) Department.

Lower Columbia Stewardship Committee: We salute the incredible team of volunteers who made the forum possible.  

Climate activists delivered nearly 150,000 public comments to Governor Inslee urging him to help Washington state "Power Past Fracked Gas"!

A big thank you to the owners of Lake Taco for supporting community groups, Organizing Latin Advocates (OLA) and Comunidades.

Jake was a dreamer, he held a vision of a better world. Jake’s impact on the Columbia River did not end when he passed away last year. His estate donated $25,000 to Riverkeeper to continue the work of protecting the river.

Last fall, over 100 volunteers helped plant trees, spread mulch, and pull weeds at the Nichols Natural Area. The site is transforming thanks to our amazing volunteers who brave the elements to transform a former industrial site to thriving habitat.

Activists used a public comment period to highlight broad opposition to the world’s largest fracked-gas-to-methanol refinery, proposed in the Columbia River town of Kalama.

Ever wonder why Columbia Riverkeeper was founded 18 years ago? We asked John, a founding board member, this very question.

During the summer of 2017, Kate served as an intern in our Hood River office supporting efforts in our fighting fossil fuel campaigns with community organizing and events.

Folk musician Joe, performed at our Pete Seeger Celebration. For over sixty years he has performed and lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Finland, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.

Guest Letter from Kathleen: "In these desperate times, we each must find our voices and join with others to protect the Columbia, to protect the Earth."

Chris set a high bar for what a dedicated, passionate citizen activist can accomplish. Her passing on May 15, 2020 leaves us with heavy hearts. 

Her love affair with the group, the mission, and the “incredible human beings doing this work that so heavily impacts our local space” deepened during the LNG fights. She has remained a steadfast supporter for 20 years, dedicated to protecting the river from dirty fossil fuel projects. “I have continued to support the organization because we are all one place, one river,” said Carol. “Columbia Riverkeeper steps up to get the job done!” 

“Why? It’s a mystery, isn’t it? The more I probe the Columbia, the deeper it flows and the smaller I get. What, of our place, could be more worth keeping?” -Robin Cody, Portland, OR
 

“No matter what type of background we come from, clean water is key to everything we hold dear, whether it’s the health of our human and natural communities or our regional economic vitality related to fishing, recreation, and tourism.” -Kate Goodnight, Hood River, OR

“Riverkeeper is a great agency with a great cause; it deserves all the support we can provide.” -Jose Maya, White Salmon, WA

“My children and their children depend on this river. Every stream I work on, every creek I cross, drains into the Columbia. Its course runs down the center of my world, and I’ll never stop trying to protect it.” -Rudy Salakory, Portland, OR
 

“I support and volunteer with Riverkeeper because experience has shown me that they get work done. I can’t imagine a better way to invest my time and money than to give it to knowledgeable and skilled folks who spend 24/7 protecting our river through education and action.” -Jan Zuckerman, Portland, OR

“Climate change is probably the greatest threat in history. No one does a better job fighting fossil fuel exports than Columbia Riverkeeper.” -Don Steinke, Vancouver, WA

“I was raised as my ancestors were: to cherish Mother Earth and all she provides our people and all other creatures living on and with her. I truly believe Columbia Riverkeeper is one of the most powerful allies we have to fight the good fight and protect all that is sacred.” -Cathy Sampson-Kruse, Waluulapum~Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, West Linn, OR

“I used to think that someone else would take care of the climate. But then I realized that there is no someone else—we are all going to have to do it together.” -Melanie Plaut, Portland, OR

“As a student pursuing an ecology major, protecting ancient forests is one of the many reasons why I fight to combat the climate crisis. I am proud to be a part of the activist community safeguarding our clean air, water, & soil.” -Cambria Keely, Kalama, WA

“I fight for clean water and climate change because living in the Northwest is my sense of place and that means fighting to protect all our natural resources including water, salmon, and trees.” -Paulette Lichatowich, Columbia City, OR

“I want to be able to look my three boys in their eyes and say I did everything I could on my watch. Clean water is not an option; it is a fundamental right, and obligation to all beings.” -David Roth, Hood River, OR

“I fight for clean water and our climate because environmental justice affects all of us. Educating ourselves and our younger generations, and figuring out how we can make a difference—even in small ways—is crucial.” -Dez Ramirez, Portland, OR