Collaborative Governance

Advocates for financial investment in restoration of pollution-impacted communities, particularly low-income, Black, and Indigenous communities, and promotes equitable offshore wind development that upholds Indigenous rights and community benefits.

Advocates for an immediate transition to clean and renewable energy, opposes fossil fuel extraction on public lands, and challenges false climate solutions such as factory farm biogas and hydropower due to methane emissions and ecological harm.

Advocates for full implementation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act, restoration of wetland protections, regulation of PFAS and CAFO discharges, and investment in public sewage infrastructure through congressional briefings, public campaigns, and legal engagement.

Advocates for ending industrial animal agriculture and transitioning to regenerative farming practices, while also pushing to end single-use plastics, halt new plastic production, and shift recycling costs to manufacturers.

Conducts monitoring and research on water contamination, including PFAS near wastewater treatment plants, and publishes findings in reports such as the 2025 Impact Report and the Spanish-language PFAS Phase II Report to expand access and inform advocacy.

Implemented the Pure Farms Pure Waters campaign to reduce agricultural runoff and protect water quality in rural communities by addressing pollution from industrial farming practices.

Files lawsuits against federal agencies and major polluters, including challenging the reissuance of Nationwide Permit 12 and suing Duke and Dominion Energy, resulting in the cleanup of millions of tons of coal ash and preventing unauthorized discharges into waterways.

Helped pass coal ash legislation in three states requiring safe waste encapsulation and supported the creation of the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic to train future leaders and expand access to environmental justice.

Operates the Dive Into Democracy advocacy action series, publishing blogs and sending network emails to inform and mobilize the public on federal clean water policy issues.

Held a global conference in September 2024 and organized regional meetings to support Waterkeeper groups in developing advocacy strategies, sharing resources, and building technical capacity. These gatherings facilitate coordination and strengthen regional networks.

Produces a monthly blog series profiling Waterkeeper members and a monthly podcast series, "Equity In Every Drop," to amplify voices from the global Waterkeeper movement and discuss threats to water and solutions for environmental equity and justice.

Secured over $150 million in funding for freshwater ecosystem revitalization in Western New York and conducts long-term ecological restoration projects, including planting, invasive species management, and monitoring, such as in the Scajaquada Creek system.

Connects and supports local Waterkeeper groups worldwide in patrolling waterways, organizing clean-ups, educating the public, and challenging polluters legally and publicly, collectively protecting over 6 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastlines across six continents.

Demonstrates institutional solidarity with social justice movements by postponing fundraising events such as the Toast to the Tribs in 2020 to align with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Conducts DEI training and visioning sessions, supports the development of DEIJ resource guides for watershed organizations, and hosts public programs to share strategies and case studies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the watershed community.

Leads and coordinates scientific research efforts, including a large-scale community science water quality monitoring program across hundreds of locations in the Hudson River watershed, research on watershed group effectiveness, and collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project to restore oyster populations in New York City waters.

Publishes annual reports, strategic plans, and research papers to document accomplishments, guide future work, and compile findings on the role and impact of watershed groups in the Hudson River watershed.

Organizes and hosts public programs, including the Breakfast Lecture series, webinars on topics such as dam removal, and DEIJ-focused workshops and conference sessions, to educate and engage communities in watershed protection and restoration.