Willamette Riverkeeper’s Commitment to Belonging, Fairness, and Access

At Willamette Riverkeeper, we believe the Willamette River is a shared resource—its health and vitality belong to everyone. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, fairness, and connection where people of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities feel welcomed, respected, and supported in their relationship with the river.

We acknowledge that not all communities have equal access to the river. Economic, social, physical, and political barriers—rooted in both historical and ongoing inequities—have limited many people's ability to engage with, benefit from, and feel a sense of stewardship toward this essential waterway. We are actively working to change that reality through partnerships, programming, and advocacy that prioritize access, inclusion, and representation.

We value the many ways people connect with the river—through recreation, restoration, education, and advocacy—and we recognize that diverse lived experiences and cultural perspectives strengthen our collective care for the river and its future.

By embedding fairness, compassion, responsibility, and collective care into our daily work, we strive to ensure that all people—now and in generations to come—have the opportunity to experience, protect, and celebrate the Willamette River.

“Many voices, one river. Working together for clean water and community well-being.”