How to Be an Advocate for Your River

Rivers are an important part of our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. But just as all of us need water, all of us pollute water. It is not someone else's job to clean it up; it is ours. By picking just one or two ways that you can start making a difference today!

Plant a tree. Participate in plantings in cities, local parks and riverbanks. Trees and shrubs always help filter water and clean the air. Along rivers, they also stabilize the banks with their roots and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.

Get to know your section of the river or a tributary. Can you walk it? Can you canoe it? Would you want to? Why not? What can you do to make it better?

Participate in or organize litter clean-up and prevention.

If you live on a creek or river, your stewardship is especially important. Plant native trees and shrubs along the banks to provide shade and habitat for native birds, bugs, and wildlife. If there are no organized plantings nearby, organize your own! This is a great project for scouts, students, or an office or church group.

Stencil warnings by storm drains informing residents that the drains dump directly into streams without going through treatment. Contact your city to participate in, or start, a stenciling program.

Get to know your watershed council. There are 86 volunteer watershed councils in Oregon. Many perform stream restoration and education projects and could use your brawn; others are still in the planning phases and could use your brain. Call the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) at 503-986-0178 or check out their web site at www.oweb.state.or.us to find out about the council nearest you.

Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV) can help you with a single-day activity or you can "Adopt a River" and make a commitment to keep it tidy for two years. Call SOLV at (503) 647-0159 for information.

Be an Advocate! Active and concerned citizens have a big impact on local decision-making. By getting involved in your community, you can help make it a better place to live, now and in the future, for yourself, your family, and native fish and wildlife.

Support environmental groups with your time, money, or both. In addition to the Oregon Environmental Council, there are state, local and national groups working on water quality issues.

Talk to your neighbors about their impact on water quality.

Teach your children well. Teaching kids good habits may be the biggest environmental contribution you ever make. Encouraging your parents to change their habits may be the hardest.

Write to your local newspaper. Letters to the editor can address specific issues, or encourage the paper to cover water issues better.

Attend public hearings and city council meetings. Study the issues and voice your concerns.

Volunteer for local advisory committees and task forces. Contact your city hall or county government to find out what citizen committees exist in your area.

Let your national, state and local representatives know that you care about water quality. Write them letters about your general interests, but also mention specific projects you think they should support or oppose.

Study your legislators' voting records, and encourage them to do better on environmental issues.

Become a citizen lobbyist. It's easier than you think. Elected officials do listen to citizen concerns, especially if you visit in person. The Oregon Environmental Council can help you get started; see our legislative page or call (503) 222-1963.

VOTE! It is your job to make sure that good politicians are elected to represent you. Research the candidates before elections and only support those with proven commitments to environmental quality.