Photo Credit: Adriel Heisey

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.

To ensure the future health of Western rivers and all the species that depend on them, WildEarth Guardians revives the pulse of great waterways, exposes the historic injustice to rivers, and aims to untie the tangled knot of archaic water law. Instead of controlling and diverting rivers with levees, ditches, and dams, and pumping them into the hands of the highest bidder, we seek to restore their natural course from source to sea.

The Rio Grande is in Crisis

By 2100, the Rio Grande will lose up to 50% of its current flow because of one-hundred years of water mismanagement policies compounded by climate change. That’s why we launched our #LivingRio campaign to give a voice to the once mighty Rio Grande.

We invite you to join us! With your support the #LivingRio campaign will finally give the Rio Grande a right to its own water and the freedom to flow. A Living Rio is necessary for clean water and all downstream communities.

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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.

Report Pollution

Do your part to protect the Rio Grande. If you spot pollution, contact us here.

A Voice for the River

Guardians’ Wild Rivers Program Director, Jen Pelz, is fighting for every last drop in the Rio Grande.

READ THE STORY

Photo: Seth Hughes

How You Can Help

Help revive and restore rivers and all the species that depend on them! Be a guardian for rivers by joining the conversation, learning about current issues, and making your voice heard. Together, we're a powerful force for nature.

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Recent Stories From Rivers

Rio Grande: A photo essay

December 15, 2021

Javier Gallegos traveled from northern New Mexico to El Paso, Texas documenting the ecological impacts of the drying Rio Grande, but also capturing the ways that humans connect with this artery of life

Restoring national forest lands and waters

Jun 8, 2021

Ask your senators to support Representative Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary

Feb 19, 2021

Big changes are coming to the Interior Department

Dec 18, 2020

Unleashing a desert river and its wisdom

Oct 16, 2020

Court: Dams are killing wild fish in violation of ESA

Aug 20, 2020

This is not a moment; it’s a movement

February 23, 2022

WildEarth Guardians’ 2021 annual report shows how we wielded patience and relentless persistence to make seismic shifts

Our year in review

Dec 24, 2021

Rio Grande: A photo essay

Dec 15, 2021

Change is the new wave for the Willamette River

Nov 13, 2021

Help protect flows in the lower Santa Fe River

Nov 12, 2021

Celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Clean Water Act

Oct 18, 2021

This is not a moment; it’s a movement

February 23, 2022

WildEarth Guardians’ 2021 annual report shows how we wielded patience and relentless persistence to make seismic shifts

Our year in review

Dec 24, 2021

Rio Grande: A photo essay

Dec 15, 2021

Change is the new wave for the Willamette River

Nov 13, 2021

Help protect flows in the lower Santa Fe River

Nov 12, 2021

Celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Clean Water Act

Oct 18, 2021

This is not a moment; it’s a movement

February 23, 2022

WildEarth Guardians’ 2021 annual report shows how we wielded patience and relentless persistence to make seismic shifts

Our year in review

Dec 24, 2021

Rio Grande: A photo essay

Dec 15, 2021

Change is the new wave for the Willamette River

Nov 13, 2021

Help protect flows in the lower Santa Fe River

Nov 12, 2021

Celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Clean Water Act

Oct 18, 2021

Rivers Press

Downstream communities push for rejection of water export proposal in San Luis Valley

Apr 12, 2022

Groups call on Douglas County Commission to nix proposal to pipe groundwater to Colorado Front Range

] Read more >

All Rivers Press Releases

Communities expecting another challenging year in the Rio Grande Basin

Mar 8, 2022

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists the peppered chub as endangered

Feb 28, 2022

Rio Grande Basin forecast suggests another difficult water year ahead

Feb 16, 2022

The simple, big reason Colorado’s rivers are drying up

The Colorado Sun | Apr 6, 2022

Icy beads of water are beginning to form and flow off the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado. As the droplets merge into tiny trickles, they are pulled on vast journeys to the rivers who carry them to the sea.

All Rivers Op-Eds

Act Now to Strengthen the America the Beautiful Initiative

Counter Punch | Mar 4, 2022

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act will help achieve 30×30 goals

Missoulian | Jun 16, 2021

Unleash a desert river and its wisdom

Santa Fe New Mexican | Nov 21, 2020

Writers Gone Wild

Santa Fe Reporter | May 11, 2022

From the howling lobos to the silent native Gila trout, the endangered animals that live in the Gila Wilderness are among its best-known inhabitants; the lumbering pines and the rushing rivers take a close second.

All Rivers In the News

Precious resource under threat: New Mexico’s waters

Santa Fe New Mexican | Apr 28, 2022

Proposed Pipeline Wants to Suck Water That Feeds the Rio Grande Over 200 Miles Away

The Paper, Albuquerque's independent news | Apr 24, 2022

What does it take to build a massive new reservoir? A lot of time, trucks, and rock

KPCW | Apr 6, 2022

Why Guardians?

Contact

[email protected]

Soni Grant

Four Corners Organizer

Soni joined Guardians in 2021 as the Four Corners Organizer. Their work focuses on protecting the Greater Chaco region from fossil fuel extraction and advocating for meaningful climate solutions. Soni brings over a decade of experience organizing for social and environmental justice in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and New Mexico. They hold a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and an MA in Geography from the University of Toronto. When not at Guardians, Soni teaches environmental studies and maintains an active research agenda on environmental justice and the impacts of climate change in New Mexico. In their free time, Soni is an avid runner and hiker, and enjoys cooking, playing music, and spending time with their dog and partner.

Contact

[email protected] 720-600-3833

Lizzy Pennock

Legal Fellow

Lizzy joined WildEarth Guardians as a volunteer in September 2019 during her second year of law school. Lizzy is a Diehl Environmental Law Fellow focused on wildlife protection. She grew up in Colorado, where she developed her passion for nature and exploring the outdoors. Lizzy earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Science at the University of Hawai`i and her J.D. from Lewis and Clark Law School with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She was awarded the 2021 Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Leadership Award and was elected to the Cornelius Honor Society. She did as much pro bono as possible during law school and worked with Crag Law Center and the Center for Biological Diversity, focusing on salmon protection. She currently resides on the Oregon coast with her partner and two labs, where she loves to hike, bake, and spend time at the beach.

Contact

[email protected] 505-396-1752

Tricia Snyder

Rio Grande Campaigner

Tricia, as a child of military parents, spent much of her childhood moving frequently in the U.S. and abroad, but calls El Paso, TX home. Growing up on the banks of the (often dry) Rio Grande and the water scarcity of the Southwest sparked a life-long interest in finding solutions for water conflicts in the arid and semi-arid American West. Tricia received a B.S. in Geography with a focus on human-environment connection from New Mexico State University. Her research while there centered on water management across borders. She spent 5 years working with the Southwest Environmental Center working to protect and restore the wildlife and wild places of the Southwest borderlands, particularly focused on the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf. In 2015, Tricia moved to Washington state to pursue a graduate degree, receiving an M.S. in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management from Central Washington University. Her thesis, which conducted an adaptive capacity assessment of the Upper Klamath Basin, utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. She worked for nearly four years on salmon recovery as the Lead Entity Coordinator for the Yakima Basin in central Washington, bringing together a diverse group of interests and perspectives. Tricia joined WildEarth Guardians as the Rio Grande Campaigner in 2021.

Rebecca Vitale Mandich

Member, Board of Directors

Rebecca Vitale Mandich of Palo Alto, CA and Tesuque, NM, was called early to the environmental movement to give voice to the voiceless. An advocate since the 70s, she received her degree in Environmental Studies taught by some of the big thinkers of the time such as Paul Ehrlich, Stewart Brand, Dr. Richard Leakey, Alan Chadwick, and Dr. Donald Aitken, who founded the program at SJSUC as one of first in the nation. Utilizing that education, coupled with commitment and inspiration, Rebecca started taking actions from working in one of the first solar energy homes to working on ballot measures for better public transportation systems in the Bay Area. She assisted in opening the first Spanish-speaking office for Clinton/Gore campaign in 1992 and registered many in the local Hispanic community, hosting then candidate VP Gore to discuss the environment and community issues. In the meantime, she married Mitch Mandich and has two grown children, Matthew and Madeleine, and various dogs and cats have graced their lives. Having traveled extensively, her favorite escape is camping in our national parks and on public monuments and lands, where she has experienced all manner of wildlife and wild places. She became acquainted with WildEarth Guardians about six years ago when she read an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about their lawsuit against U.S. Fish and Wildlife services regarding wolves. She sent them a letter and a fast friendship formed over their mutual love of all things wild. Rebecca sees much hope in the future of the environmental movement that began with “Save the Whales" to now promoting a food and energy paradigm for the sustainability of natural resources. A deep political will and an openness to examine new ideas dictate her thinking. She feels that embracing environmental changes through engagement, both politically and through grassroots efforts, are paramount for the evolution of a responsible species to continue the ride on, what she affectionately refers to as, Spaceship Earth.

Peter Schoenburg

Treasurer, Board of Directors

Peter Schoenburg is a partner in the Albuquerque law offices of Rothstein, Donatelli, Hughes, Dahlstrom, Schoenburg & Bienvenu, LLP. He has practiced criminal defense law in New Mexico since 1978. He received his undergraduate degree at Yale College and his law degree at Rutgers School of Law. A former Federal and State Public Defender, as well as an Assistant Attorney General, since 1993 Peter has worked in private practice defending complex criminal cases in both Federal and State courts. He also regularly represents Native Americans charged with illegal possession of feathers in connection with their religious practices. He has been continuously listed in The Best Lawyers in America - Criminal Defense since 1994. Peter’s love of the wilderness and commitment to its preservation began in his child-hood years in upstate New York. Beginning in law school he worked as an instructor at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in Maine and the, now defunct, Southwest Outward Bound School based in Santa Fe. He is an avid rafter, hiker, skier and cyclist.

Nat Cobb

Member, Board of Directors

Nat Cobb joined the Guardians Board in 2010. He grew exploring the outdoor environments in New Mexico, Colorado, and Pakistan. In the 1970’s he worked for five different Outward Bound schools in diverse environments, including three years directing programs in the Gila Wilderness. He also worked as a river guide on the Grand Canyon and in Dinosaur National Monument. A graduate of Fort Lewis College and Harvard Medical School, he recently retired from the Indian Health Service and the Centers for Disease Control, where his work included Family Practice, Emergency Medicine, Research and Epidemiology. He still loves to explore mountains, rivers and deserts by boat, ski, foot, and bicycle. He and his wife actively support and partner with several local farmers in farm-to-table, farm-to-beer mug, and farm-to-wineglass projects. At home on the bank of the Rio Grande in Los Ranchos, NM, he dabbles in native plant landscaping and tries to co-exist with the coyote, geese, beaver, and sandhill cranes who live in his back yard.

Contact

[email protected] 651-434-7737

Marla Fox, J.D.

Staff Attorney

Marla Fox joined WildEarth Guardians’ Legal Team in 2019 after working as the Rewilding Attorney since 2015. Her litigation focuses on reconnecting wild places and waterways on public lands across the American West. Originally from Minnesota, Marla spent her informative years swimming and fishing in northern lakes. She received her B.A. in Spanish and Biology from St. Olaf College and her Juris Doctorate from Lewis & Clark Law School. From 2012 to 2015 Marla was a Legal Fellow and then Staff Attorney for the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, where she focused on Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act enforcement. Marla is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Washington. When not working in front of her computer, you can find Marla exploring the West on backpacking trips, running trails, or hiking with her family.

Contact

[email protected]
505-417-5893

Madeleine Carey

Greater Gila Guardian

Madeleine Carey is the WildEarth Guardians’ Greater Gila Guardian. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Madeleine spent her childhood exploring the Rio Grande and its bosque on foot and on horseback. In May 2014, she graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA with a degree in Biology and Urban Studies. While at Tufts, she was a four-year member of the Track and Cross Country teams and a trip leader for the Tufts Wilderness Orientation program. During college, Madeleine spent her summers working for the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program, researching American Pika in the Valles Caldera National Preserve and working with NM State Forestry to create a post-wildfire assistance guide. An avid runner and pie baker, Madeleine is always looking for ways to combine adventures with brunch.

Articles by Madeleine

Read articles >

Contact

[email protected] 503-278-0669

Marlies Wierenga, M.S.

Pacific Northwest Conservation Manager

Marlies Wierenga is the Pacific Northwest Conservation Manager for WildEarth Guardians, serves under the Wild Places Program Director, and formerly served as WA/OR Coordinator for Wildlands CPR until their merger with WildEarth Guardians in 2013. Marlies has over a decade of experience using her technical, policy and public involvement skills to address watershed and water quality challenges throughout the Pacific Northwest. She has analyzed environmental conditions and developed numerous shoreline, watershed and water quality plans for local and state jurisdictions. Marlies has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the Evergreen State College, where her thesis analyzed the dual mandate of National Parks in Alaska to meet conservation goals and support the subsistence practices of local people (focus was Wrangell-St. Elias National Park).

Articles by Marlies

Read articles >

Contact

[email protected] 505-216-6826

Rebecca Sobel

Organizing Director

Rebecca Sobel first joined Guardians as our first Conservation Organizer in 2007, later becoming Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner, until moving into her role as Organizing Director of Guardians new Organizing program in 2021. With a bachelor's degree in an individualized major "Globalization and Social Justice '' and a masters degree in International Relations and Human Rights, Rebecca has focused her professional career on social and environmental justice. Starting with Greenpeace as a Field Organizer, where she organized the March for Climate Action in Vermont with Bill McKibben, Rebecca has previously served as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, and principal of Action Oriented campaign consulting firm before returning to Guardians in 2016. Originally from Philadelphia, Rebecca feels blessed to call the Southwest her home.

Articles by Rebecca

Read articles >

Contact

[email protected] 505-401-4180

Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, Ph.D., J.D.

Legal Director

Samantha Ruscavage-Barz is Legal Director for WildEarth Guardians and has been with the organization for over a decade. She is responsible for coordinating the organization’s litigation strategies, managing and developing staff attorneys, and litigating cases for the Wild Rivers Program. Samantha is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law where she is also an Adjunct Professor teaching Environmental Litigation Drafting and coaching the Environmental Law Moot Court Team. Prior to becoming an attorney, Samantha spent 17 years as an archaeologist in the public and private sectors before attending law school, which led to her interest in advocating for and effecting protection of air and water, community health, cultural sites, and public lands ecosystems.

Contact

[email protected] 406-549-3895

Sarah McMillan, J.D.

Conservation Director

Sarah McMillan grew up reading Ed Abbey by kerosene lamp at night and exploring the woods, rivers, and mountains of Montana and western Washington by day. She received her B.A. from Williams College and her J.D. from the University of Montana. Sarah is an avid hiker, locavore wannabe (notable downfalls include olive oil, licorice, Marmite, and black tea), and life-long environmentalist. She has worked in private practice and with Western Environmental Law Center to protect the natural world. Her litigation background is broad—from the ESA, CWA, NEPA, NFMA, etc. to protecting Montanans right to a clean and healthful environment, to defending a citizen's initiative that effectively stopped game farm "hunting" in Montana.

River conservation – restoring the vital arteries of the West

Rivers

The Rio Grande is in Crisis

Wild Rivers Program Work

How You Can Help

Recent Stories From Rivers

Rivers Press

WildEarth Guardians protects and restores the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the American West.

Contact

Soni Grant

Four Corners Organizer

Contact

Lizzy Pennock

Legal Fellow

Contact

Tricia Snyder

Rio Grande Campaigner

Rebecca Vitale Mandich

Member, Board of Directors

Peter Schoenburg

Treasurer, Board of Directors

Nat Cobb

Member, Board of Directors

Contact

Marla Fox, J.D.

Staff Attorney

Contact

Madeleine Carey

Greater Gila Guardian

Articles by Madeleine

Contact

Marlies Wierenga, M.S.

Pacific Northwest Conservation Manager

Articles by Marlies

Contact

Rebecca Sobel

Organizing Director

Articles by Rebecca

Contact

Samantha Ruscavage-Barz, Ph.D., J.D.

Legal Director

Contact

Sarah McMillan, J.D.

Conservation Director