Waterkeeper Alliance
“In the face of so much discouraging news about our planet’s environment, the work and dedication of the world’s Waterkeepers shine. I can think of no better way to celebrate 20 years of Waterkeeper Alliance than reflecting on all they’ve done, and all they’ve yet to do.”
Waterkeeper Alliance connects a network of over 300 local Waterkeeper groups working to protect their local waters. The Alliance preserves and protects water by connecting and mobilizing Waterkeeper member groups around the world.
The Waterkeeper movement began in 1966 on the Hudson River in New York, when a band of local fishermen began fighting back against industrial polluters. The movement grew as the original Riverkeepers, Baykeepers, and Soundkeepers patrolled waterbodies by boat, enforcing environmental laws and responding to pollution concerns from the public.
The connecting organization, Waterkeeper Alliance, was officially established in 1999.
Swim Drink Fish’s history with Waterkeeper Alliance goes back to 2000 when Mark Mattson first met and become inspired by the growing US-based Waterkeeper movement. Mark has been a Waterkeeper Alliance board member since 2003. He was a leader in Waterkeeper Alliance’s early growth in Canada, helping to form the Riverkeeper programs in the west and Moose Riverkeeper in northern Ontario. He also, of course, became the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. Fraser Riverkeeper was the first member of Waterkeeper Alliance to be established in British Columbia and was founded by Doug Chapman in 2007 with the help of Mark. Karen Percy Lowe and Kevin Lowe were Waterkeeper Alliance Trustees prior to forming North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, with Britt Standen in 2009.
Three Swim Drink Fish initiatives are members of Waterkeeper Alliance today:
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
Fraser Riverkeeper
North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper
The Waterkeeper movement is so deeply connected to Swim Drink Fish’s history that Swim Drink Fish owns the Waterkeeper trademark in Canada.
You can read more about the growth of the movement in Canada on the Swim Drink Fish history page.