American Rivers Expands Impact in Great Lakes Region, Announces Elizabeth Riggs as First Regional Director

Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org

10/2/2025 – American Rivers announced today that Elizabeth Riggs is joining the organization as its first Great Lakes Regional Director. Riggs is an accomplished environmental leader with over 20 years of experience driving watershed and natural resource initiatives.

“This is an exciting time for American Rivers as our impact continues to grow nationwide,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, senior vice president of conservation for American Rivers. “Time and time again, it has been proven that river restoration efforts transcend political differences, and we are thrilled to bring such an experienced river advocate and project manager on board to steer our Great Lakes region-a region rich in water resources.”

Most recently, Elizabeth served as director of environment at Public Sector Consultants, a nonpartisan public policy research and consulting firm. Her experience also spans the Michigan Governor’s Dam Safety Task Force support team, the Great Lakes Fishery Trust and the Huron Watershed Council where she helped secure federal designation of the Huron River as the country’s 18th National Water Trail.

She has served as a board member or advisor to local, state, and national organizations including Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Michigan Environmental Council, City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt Advisory Commission, and National Estuarine Research Reserve Systems. She is a Fellow of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy.

“Our rivers deserve the utmost care and responsible stewardship so that they can continue to support the communities and wildlife that rely on them,” said Elizabeth Riggs, Great Lakes regional director for American Rivers. “I am excited about the can-do ethos that American Rivers fosters as it works to advance bipartisan protections for clean water and can’t wait to grow its presence in the Great Lakes region.”

Riggs earned a Master of Science from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lawrence University.

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American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org