WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE

Waterkeeper Alliance is a grassroots advocacy organization with 181 local programs and growing. Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide. We are dedicated to preserving and protecting YOUR WATER from polluters.

The common thread for each Waterkeeper program is a full-time person who serves as the Waterkeeper, the public advocate for that body of water. A Waterkeeper’s job is to advocate compliance with environmental laws, respond to citizen complaints, identify problems which affect the water body and devise appropriate remedies, educate the public and advocate for the public’s right to protect and defend the environment. Each Waterkeeper program reflects the needs of the water body and the community it represents.

Mallards on the Waccamaw

photo: Steve Berkowitz

The Waterkeeper concept started on the Hudson River where a coalition of commercial and recreational fishermen mobilized in 1966 to reclaim the Hudson from its polluters. You can read more about the movement at the Waterkeeper Alliance website.

• Waterkeepers are uncompromising advocates for their body of water.
• They are full time, paid representatives for a selected body of water.
• They are funded by grass roots non-profit organizations.
• Government affiliated organizations cannot sponsor a Waterkeeper program.
• Funding to ⁄ for the non-profit organization is through grants, donations, and membership dues.
• The Waterkeeper programs throughout the US have great credibility. The Waterkeeper Alliance is comprised of over 100 Waterkeeper programs throughout North and Central America, and beyond.
• All Waterkeeper programs, including the Waccamaw Riverkeeper program, are licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance which is headquartered in NY.
• Once a program is licensed, the local group hires the Waterkeeper.
• The Alliance helps with training and start up through its Waterkeeper resources.

Recently the Waterkeepers working to protect the waters in both North Carolina and South Carolina came together to form WATERKEEPER® Carolinas. Working together, we can protect the waters of the Carolinas from pollution and polluters.

Join our efforts to protect our rivers.
Become a member! Join now!