Goal: Connect the people of Utah with their rivers and provide them with support in order to create a broad network of citizens ready and able to speak for their rivers.

Most Utahans are not connected with their backyard river - let alone with rivers generally. Although public opinion research shows that water quality and water supply are top tier concerns, few citizens know where their water comes from or how they can protect it.

The Utah Rivers Council has identified a need to connect Utahans to their local rivers and to provide the support Utahans need to speak for their rivers. People who have visited a river and learned something about its values feel a sense of stewardship for the river. People who feel a sense of stewardship are more likely to become involved in protecting rivers. And when citizens become involved in the debate about the future of Utah's rivers, better policy decisions are made on everything from pollution discharge permits to funding river restoration.

Community River Advocacy Projects

1. Reaching out to potential river stewards through river cleanups, Explore series river outings, and other activities. Read more about our Explore Series Outings.
2. Developing a River Activists group that speaks out for Utah's rivers.
3. Providing the tools, training, and support Utahns need to advocate for their rivers. Read more about our Tools and Trainings.
4. Creating a vibrant volunteer program to support all of our river programs. Read more about our Volunteers.
5. Educating young people about river issues while inspiring their love of rivers and the outdoors through our WHET project.