the Waterkeeper movement.

The origins of the Waterkeeper (Riverkeeper) movement date back to 1966, when commercial and recreational fishermen, many of them veterans, united to save the Hudson River in New York. Their outspoken, citizen-led advocacy ensured that laws were enforced and that their river, livelihood, and the health of their families were all protected. With this, the first Riverkeeper was born.

The tough, grassroots brand of environmental activism that sparked the Hudson’s miraculous recovery inspired others to launch Waterkeeper groups in their communities. In 1999, Waterkeeper Alliance was founded to support the growing number of Waterkeepers, Riverkeepers, Baykeepers, Coastkeepers, etc. organizing to protect local waterways.

Waterkeepers are a voice for the rivers and defenders of the fundamental human right to clean water. Our job is to patrol local waters, identify and investigate pollution, monitor water quality, work collaboratively to address the problems, advocate for compliance with clean water laws, and prosecute those who willfully violate them. Through community engagement and education, our goal is to energize local communities around water issues and empower you to protect your right to drinkable, fishable, swimmable water.

Today, Waterkeeper Alliance is the largest and fastest growing network of clean water advocates in the world. It unites more than 340 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates that are on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents with the goal of drinkable, fishable, swimmable water everywhere.