Uniting people for clean water, climate action, and healthy communities

Clean Water

We work in solidarity with Tribes to restore clean water and healthy fish by reducing toxic pollution.

Climate Action

We use the law, community organizing, and creative communications to stop fossil fuel infrastructure and advocate for a just transition.

Healthy Communities

We engage people who live in river communities to advocate for environmental justice, including strong salmon runs.

Overhead view of the Columbia River

Why the Columbia?

The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest. People depend on the Columbia for clean water, salmon, and much more.

How We Work

We partner with Tribes and unite people to advocate for environmental and climate justice. We use legal advocacy, community organizing, and education to:

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Stop Pollution

We take polluters to court when the government turns its back on illegal pollution. We advocate for stronger laws to reduce toxic pollution in fish and drinking water. And we push government agencies to take action for clean water.

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Fight Fossil Fuels

The Columbia River is threatened by stunning new fossil fuel infrastructure projects—terminals, pipelines, and refineries. The good news? We are fighting back and winning!

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Save Salmon

The Columbia once produced more salmon than any river on Earth. Today, populations are a fraction of their historic size. We advocate for salmon and the cultures that rely on them.

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Engage Communities

Through free events, educational programming, and trainings, we inspire people to use and advocate for environmental justice on the Columbia. We also monitor water quality and share real-time data on the Swim Guide app.

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Clean Up Hanford

The Hanford Nuclear Site is the most toxic place in America. We partner with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and engage people in one of the most importantㅡand complicatedㅡcleanups in the world.

What’s New

  • Columbia Riverkeeper Welcomes New Members To Its Board Of Directors
    Columbia Riverkeeper’s board of directors announced the appointment of four new members: Jessica L. Black, Elaine Harvey, Ana Molina, and Vawter “Buck” Parker. Read more
  • Don’t Fall for Greenwashing
    In January, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will make a decision on a key permit for the NEXT proposal. Oregon Governor Kotek needs to hear from her constituents on why this issue is a step back for the region’s climate goals.  Read more
  • 2025 Goals
    A new year means new challenges, but it also means new opportunities to protect the river that we all love so much. Here are the five challenges we plan to tackle. Read more
  • Investing in our Future
    The Hanford Nuclear Site poses one of the longest lived threats to the Columbia River and all of the people, plants, and animals who depend on it. Within Columbia Riverkeeper’s Hanford work, we often talk about preparing the next generation for the nuclear legacy they are inheriting. Read more
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