Life Depends on Rivers®

A campaign to transform the health of America’s rivers

Our rivers and clean water supply are in crisis. American Rivers is launching the final, capstone phase of our $125 million campaign to fundamentally transform river health nationwide. Join us in protecting our rivers and preserving clean water essential for all life.

Rivers make life possible — they are the veins and arteries of our country.

We depend on them for our drinking water and to grow our food. Rivers provide crucial habitat for wildlife species, offer opportunities for recreation, and foster spiritual and cultural connections for us and our communities.

Yet, America’s rivers and clean water face unprecedented crises.

Climate change, dams, diversions, and pollution threaten our rivers like never before. Half of rivers nationwide have unsafe levels of pollution and freshwater species are going extinct faster than scientists can track. On top of that, extreme weather is devastating ecosystems and communities, with Tribal Nations, communities of color, and those living in poverty most severely impacted.

Plaing little boy on the river coast in front of metallurgy plant

We face a defining moment — our very health and safety are at stake.

OUR VISION

How we will transform river health across the country

The good news is that rivers can heal. For over 50 years, American Rivers has been at the forefront of river conservation. We are uniquely positioned to lead this crucial effort to protect and restore our rivers and preserve the clean water our nation needs. Incremental progress is too slow in the face of the escalating climate and water crisis, which is why we must take bold action now.

In this final capstone year of our four year campaign, the Life Depends on Rivers® campaign will raise $125 million to transform river health through three comprehensive strategies:

Copco 2 Dam removal, Klamath River, California | Shane Anderson, Swiftwater Films

PROJECTS

Raise and deploy $75 million to accelerate on-the-ground efforts to restore damaged rivers and waters, targeting the removal of 30,000 dams by 2050.

American Rivers staff on the #### River, #### | American Rivers

PEOPLE

Raise and deploy $32 million to mobilize a powerful, diverse river movement including bipartisan leaders, communities, and businesses to create the groundswell needed for change.

POLICY

Raise and deploy $18 million to drive transformational change at the state and national levels by reshaping policy and securing funding to protect 1 million miles of rivers by 2030.

Will you join us?

Your partnership is vital to our shared success. To achieve the goals of the Life Depends on Rivers® campaign, we must raise $125 million over the next four years — allowing us to do more, better, faster, and ensure transformational impact for our rivers. By investing in this campaign, you will help heal the rivers that are vital to all life, and our shared future.