Photo Credit: Don, Adobe Stock
River conservation – restoring the vital arteries of the West
Rivers
Living rivers are vital to the diversity of life on earth, from the tens of thousands of sandhill cranes that migrate from Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge along the Rio Grande to as far north as southwestern Alberta, Canada, to the human communities whose history is inextricably linked to the ebb and flow of their local waterways. When rivers dry up and vanish, that life vanishes too.
The Wild Rivers Program seeks to revive free-flowing, living rivers in the American West and to achieve a sustainable water future by working to protect clean water, healthy flows, and resilient communities.
Wild Rivers Program Work
WildEarth Guardians is a voice for Western rivers. From the iconic Rio Grande to the Colorado River, we believe in living, dynamic rivers from source to sea. Learn about our vision for the Rio Grande: America’s Great River, the challenges it faces, and how you can help.
Our Vision
Like any living thing, the Rio has a pulse. We strive to restore that pulse—and return life to the river.
The Landscape
The Rio Grande’s flows carve unique geologic features, create a haven for wildlife, and support many human communities.
A Challenged Rio
The Rio faces formidable challenges, from archaic water law to dams, pollution, and climate change.
Brave New Wild Blog
For the Rio Grande, praying for rain isn’t enough
It’s time to bring the river back to life.
Building our knowledge of fen ecology in the Homestake Valley, Colorado through community science
Guardians joins locals studying the wetlands threatened by a proposed dam and diversion project
EPA’s proposed limits on forever chemicals a step toward safer and less toxic water
Still a long road ahead to protect public health and the environment
Rivers Press
New EPA rule removes Clean Water Act protections for 90% of New Mexico waterways
Drinking water, intermittent streams and wetlands in New Mexico left unprotected by EPA following Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision
] Read more >Rio Grande now just a trickle of water in Albuquerque
It’s time water managers stop draining the Rio Grande to death and bring the river back to life.
Read more >New Mexico’s rivers exposed to pollution as feds strip protections, groups say
Sections of the Pecos River disappear underground along its route, and the Rio Grande is known to run dry during drier periods of the year. Bodies of water like that could be stripped of protections if they do not flow all year or run continuously, argued environmental groups following a federal decision to change how the Clean Water Act is applied.
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