Love Your River

When you love something, you appreciate and enjoy it, care for it and protect it. Our rivers need some love. Every one of Oregon's major rivers fails water quality tests designed to protect human health and fish and wildlife. We can change that. Love Your River unites Oregonians working for clean and healthy rivers.

Take this month’s challenge: Plant a tree

Did you know that trees help protect rivers, and that winter is one of the best times to plant them? Plant a tree today, and you will make a lasting impact on the health of nearby rivers. Trees absorb rain and keep it from running into streets where it gets polluted. They also prevent erosion, capture greenhouse gases, shade your home in the summer, and increase property values. Streamside trees help keep water cool and improve fish habitat.

You could win an REI Half Dome tent—just by pledging to do one of the following challenges.

• Plant a tree at home
• Help plant trees in your community
• Never remove a tree without a permit

How clean is your river?

Learn about your favorite Oregon rivers, and find out which one is "yours."

Get with the program

Every other month we feature one of the important ways our daily choices affect our rivers, and some simple steps you can take to love your river. Take action on the challenge and you'll be entered in a prize drawing for that challenge. The more challenges you take in 2012, the better your chances of winning the grand prize: a four-person tent, two sleeping pads, and two camp chairs from REI. See contest rules for details.

Join the Love Your River email list to find out when a new challenge is posted. Be sure to learn about your watershed and other Oregon rivers while you’re here.

Thank you sponsors!

Thank you to the sponsors who make the Love Your River program possible, and to all the local businesses who donated prizes. 

Past monthly challenges

Be sure to check out all the past monthly challenges. The prize is no longer available, but you can still love your river for all the right reasons.

photo credit: tree planting by Chijo Takeda