‘I’m for the River’ campaign seeks to broaden support for San Joaquin River Restoration

For as long as anyone can remember, the San Joaquin River has been the life blood of the community of the San Joaquin Valley– the source of our agricultural economy, our sense of community and our connection to nature. This is the message of a new campaign launched recently by Audubon California and a coalition of conservation and recreational groups seeking to rally support for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, which was approved by Congress in 2009. 

“A living river is not only good for birds and other wildlife, it can form the backbone of a healthy community and economy as well,” said Meghan Hertel, Audubon California’s San Joaquin River Project manager. “The goal of this campaign is to help people give voice to the idea that the Restoration will ensure that our children have access to a San Joaquin River that provides for us all: agriculture, wildlife, clean water, and recreation.”

Learn more about the campaign at its website: www.imfortheriver.org

The backbone of the campaign will be Audubon’s chapters in the San Joaquin Valley: San Joaquin Audubon, Stanislaus Audubon, Fresno Audubon and Yosemite Audubon. These chapters will conduct grassroots outreach at the local level, encouraging their members and friends to write to lawmakers expressing support for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. 

“From the perspective of a bird enthusiast, the San Joaquin provides so many wonderful opportunities,” said Howard Clark, president of Fresno Audubon. “Here in Fresno, we’re lucky to have a great river running right through town. Not many California cities have that connection to nature, and we want to make sure it stays like this for a long time.”

Also participating in the ‘I’m for the River’ campaign is the San Joaquin River Conservation Partnership and a number of recreational groups that support the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. 

About Audubon California

Audubon California is building a better future forCaliforniaby bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures.Audubon California is a field program of Audubon, which has more than 100,000 members in Californiaa nd an affiliated 48 local chapters dedicated to protecting birds, wildlife and the habitats that support them.