{worthWILD} Our Rivers

{worthWILD} OUR RIVERS from Conservation Alliance on Vimeo.

The Conservation Alliance has just released Our Rivers, the second video in the worthWILD series, telling the story of a successful partnership between Conservation Alliance grantee American Whitewater and Conservation Alliance member, Portland-based outdoor footwear brand, KEEN, in their efforts to save rivers nationwide. This documentary shows how AW and KEEN are working together, with support from The Conservation Alliance, to save whitewater rivers by bringing down dams, protecting water flows and habitats, and providing outdoor recreationalists with places to adventure.

Today, many of the nation’s whitewater rivers are threatened by water storage or diversion to supply water to urban sprawl. American Whitewater and KEEN see the importance of healthy rivers for humans, fish, and the beauty of our landscape, and are actively working to preserve and protect them from such imminent threats. Their efforts have led to securing flow protections for iconic Colorado rivers, blocking the Flaming Gorge Pipeline Project on the Green River (WY/UT/CO), and dam removals including the Dillsboro Dam on the Tuckasegee River (NC) and the Condit Dam on the White Salmon River (WA).

“Protecting whitewater rivers is our number one passion at American Whitewater,” said American Whitewater Executive Director Mark Singleton. “We are continuously working to prevent the threats posed on our rivers and reversing the damage that has been done through dam removal projects. These rivers are vital to our existence. Both financial and personal partnerships with The Conservation Alliance and KEEN are allowing us to save our rivers. We will continue to make a difference through these committed partnerships.”

The Conservation Alliance has funded American Whitewater eight times since 1993, contributing close to $250,000 to AW campaigns to protect North America’s last wild rivers. In conjunction with this support, AW has tuned in to like-minded Conservation Alliance members including KEEN.

“Since KEEN was founded in 2003, we promised to serve as activists for positive change for the environment,” said Chris Enlow of KEEN. “Partnerships with American Whitewater and The Conservation Alliance have been instrumental in helping us live up to this promise. Together, we can make a better impact.”

Produced by Alexandria Bombach’s Red Reel Video, the Our Rivers ‘worthWILD’ video is the second of four documentaries that the Conservation Alliance is rolling out over the next four months.

Watch the worthWILD-Our Rivers video here. For more information about the dynamic duo, visit American Whitewater and KEEN, Inc.