2023 marks 50 years of American Rivers! To celebrate, we are sharing 50 things we are grateful for because the only way an organization can survive this long and achieve the level of impact American Rivers has enjoyed is with consistent support from dedicated people who believe in its mission.
Thank you for standing by our mission to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature.
American Rivers is thankful for…
1. The Leadership of Tribal Nations
We are thankful for the leadership of Tribal Nations that we are fortunate to collaborate with on projects across the country. Recently, we released a film 'Tsegi Canyon’ which reveals the story of how families of the Navajo Nation chose to sacrifice their ranching income in order to bring life and healing back to their land and the canyon itself.
2. The Inspiration of a river
We are grateful for the power of inspiration that nature and rivers provide to inspire creative expression. See how these middle schoolers from Missoula, Montana were inspired by the free-flowing rivers around them.
3. The World's Largest Dam Removal
For nearly 100 years, dams on the Klamath River have blocked salmon and steelhead trout from reaching more than 400 miles of habitat, encroached on Indigenous culture, and harmed water quality for people and wildlife. But now, those four dams are coming down!
4. Amazing River Photographers
We are grateful for the amazing photographers we get to work with who are able to capture the beauty of our nation's rivers.
5. Our Corporte Sponsors
American Rivers is thankful for our corporate relationships and the work we do together to further our mission to protect and restore our nation’s rivers.
6. Strong Community Leaders
Strong community leaders we are fortunate to work with inspire us through their dedication to their communities. Milwaukee Water Commons, an organization seeking to repair Milwaukee residents’ relationship with water, is a great example.
7. Sustainers
We couldn't have accomplished everything we have over the last 50 years without dedicated supporters. In particular, our committed monthly donors are the foundation of support that not only helped get us here, but will propel us ahead for the next 50 years.
8. Rivers that help grow the food we eat
We are thankful for rivers like The Colorado River, which grows most of our nation’s vegetables in the winter months. Our film, Milk and Honey, explores the connection between the rthe Lower Colorado River and the people who live and work with the river every day to grow our nation’s food.
9. The Changing Seasons
As the seasons change, so do our rivers. Each new season reveals something about our favorite rivers we haven't yet seen.
10. Clean Drinking Water
2023 marks the 51st Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. This act established the basic structure for protecting the water quality of the United States. 2/3 of our nation's drinking water comes from rivers. What river you are drinking?
11. Young River Leaders
We are so thankful that the future of our rivers are in good hands! Stand with the Umatilla Youth leaders in their call to President Biden to REMOVE the four lower Snake River dams and save salmon from extinction.
12. River Fun!
Seeing life through a child's eyes is something truly special. We are grateful we got the chance to see rivers through Parker's eyes in this film, 'Parker's 50 Favorite Things about Northwest Rivers'.
13. Rivers as economic engines
Rivers are economic engines. When we invest equitably in healthy rivers and clean water, we can improve lives. When we invest in rivers we create jobs and strengthen our economy. When we invest in rivers, we invest in our shared future.
14. River Companions
What's a river day without someone to share it with? We're so grateful for our furry friends that we can take to the river and splash around with!
15. Waterfalls
Waterfalls are something to behold. Whether five feet tall or 200 feet tall, there is just something about cascading water that captures your attention. We're thankful for these water features that add such beauty to our nation's rivers
16. River Champions of 2023
We're thankful for the recipiants of the 2023 River Champions award which recognizes national leadership for healthy rivers.
17. The Way Rivers Connect Us
We're thankful for the way rivers connect us. The film 'The Important Places' explores the growth of two men and how the thread woven between them, the Colorado River, brought them back the most important place of all.
18. An unstoppable river movement
People will only work to save something if they know it, care about it, and feel like they belong in the movement to protect it. We're thankful to each of you who belong to and are a part of this unstoppable river movement!
19. Most Endangered Rivers® Partners
America’s Most Endangered Rivers® wouldn’t be possible without our partners. Special thanks to these frontline leaders and local advocates who are making an impact on rivers across the country year-round.
20. Voices for Justice
Climate change hits rivers and water first and hardest, impacting historically marginalized communities the most. We're grateful for communities and stakeholders coming together to identify innovative and collaborative solutions .
21. River Movies
As the weather gets colder and you're looking for other ways to interact with rivers, check out these river related movies that can keep you connected to rivers all winter long!
22. High Flow Events
We're grateful for the High Flow Experiment (HFE) that was conducted in April in the Grand Canyon! Check out this update from Sinjin Eberle, our Southwest Communications Director, on how this HFE benefited the Grand Canyon's beaches.
23. The Amazing River Community
We're so thankful for the incredible river community we are so lucky to be part of.
24. Tribal and agricultural collaboration leading for river stewardship
Families, fish and wildlife, businesses, and agriculture all depend on cool, clean, reliable water supplies. We're so thankful to have great partners in the Yakima River Basin who are working together to help make water available to everyone.
25. Storytellers
We're thankful for storytellers who write about environmental justice, Indigenous knowledge, life lessons from waters, plants, and animals, the power of imagination, and the future of conservation for people and the planet.
26. River Guides
YEW! The enthusiasm, knowledge, and love that river guides have for rivers is abundant. We are so thankful for all the river guides out there who share their love for rivers with others.
27. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
American Rivers is thankful for 55 years of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act! The National Wild & Scenic Rivers System was created to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural & recreational values in a free-flowing condition.
28. Sunny River Days
Daylight Savings Time Ends, thankful for sunny summer river days, how many of these bucketlist items did you check off this year?
29. River Biodiversity
Did you know that freshwater mussels literally breathe our rivers clean? We're thankful for animals like mussels that help keep our rivers clean year-round!
30. The Healing Power of Rivers
It's hard to predict exactly how a river will heal after a dam removal. We're grateful for The Elwha River dam removal which is a beautiful example of how quickly a river can start to heal itself when its natural flow is restored.
31. Women In Science
American Rivers is thankful for the women in science who are paving the way for future generations to get involved in STEM. Ann Willis, California Regional Director, reflected on what it means to her to be a woman in science!
32. Artists
We're thankful we were able to team up with five artists on original works that explored how important healthy rivers are to the future of humanity and nature for our 50th Anniversary year.
33. Clean Water for All Coalition
We are so grateful to be a part of the Clean Water for All coalition. Along with our partners, we are advocating for commonsense protections for, and equitable access to, clean water.
34. Hard Hats
Hard hats are essential to every safety outfit! We're thankful to have access to safety equipment to protect us while we oversee the thrilling process of a river being restored.
35. Bipartisan support for healthy rivers
American Rivers is grateful for bipartisan support for healthy rivers. It takes all of us to help our rivers. Moving towards a common goal to ensure the best for our rivers and waterways is crucial for a successful river movement.
36. President Jimmy Carter
Thank you President Jimmy Carter for all you have done for rivers. The film 'Wild President' captures the story of Carter’s pioneering tandem-canoe descent of Bull Sluice Rapid and how the experience transformed his life and politics.
37. River Networks' River Heroes
We're grateful for River Network's River Heroes! This award showcases achievements of individuals & teams who advance the movement toward a future of healthy, resilient rivers; safe drinking water; & climate-resilient communities
38. NATIONAL RIVER CLEANUP® Volunteers
We're thankful for all our National River Cleanup volunteers who just last year removed 1 million pounds of trash from rivers! If you're looking to get involved, follow the link!
39. Amazing Funders
We are so lucky to receive funding and support from a broad range of partners. Whether it is government agencies, foundations, or corporations, it is their continued partnership and trust that allow us to do all that we do.
40. Beavers!
Beavers are well known for building dams and ponds, but many people don’t realize how much they benefit the landscape and our own quality of life. We're thankful for these incredible animals and the benefits their dams have on wetlands and streams.
41. Free Flowing Rivers
Nothing compares to a free flowing river. We are thankful for dam removals such as Bloede Dam on the Patapsco River that showcased how much a dam removal can benefit the river and those that depend on it.
42. River Wildlife
River protection is wildlife protection. We're thankful for rivers that provide critical habitat for wildlife, connectivity to food sources, and refuge from the impacts of climate change.
43. Cities Cleaning Up Their Rivers
It is never easy, and it doesn't happen quickly, but seeing an urban river recover is an amazing thing. Here's to all the rivers around the country that have been making their way back — like the Cuyahoga in downtown Cleveland, OH.
44. Our Supporters!
Thanks to all our supporters who are so critical to our work! Our President and CEO Tom Kiernan got together with our board chair, Pallavi Phartiyal, to talk about our first 50 years, and to provide a look ahead.
45. River Songs
Oh the age old question: What is the best river song? A topic of conversation we frequently have at American Rivers. We're grateful for these songs that can make us feel like we're on the river even if we're miles away.
46. Being able to share our vision for rivers
After 50 years there is a lot to be thankful about, but one thing that never changes is how much we appreciate you, our supporters. Thank you for all that you do for rivers.
47. The Lessons Our Rivers Teach Us
From the east coast to the west, each river has its own beauty and character. Each river has its own story. We're thankful for the lessons our rivers teach us and will continue to work to protect them for generations to come.
48. Our Founders
What would an organization be without its founders? We are incredibly thankful that the founders of American Rivers got together in 1973 and started this organization that has accomplished so much in the last 50 years. We can't wait for the next 50.
49. Celebrating our 50th Anniversary with Friends
Being able to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with friends we have made over the years has made this year extra special! We're thankful for all the friends we have made thus far and can't wait to develop more friendships in years to come.
50. A Bold New Vision
WOW! 50 days of being thankful to celebrate 50 years as an organization. Thank you for standing by our mission to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. Here's to another 50 years!
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1 response to “50 Things for 50 Years”
That sounds like quite the celebration! “50 Things for 50 Years” sounds like a fantastic journey filled with memories, experiences, and perhaps a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. Whether it’s a bucket list, achievements, or just a collection of meaningful moments, I’d love to hear more about what made the list. It’s a great way to reflect on the past while embracing the excitement of the future. What’s on your list?