American Whitewater’s Western Rivers Conservation Campaign focuses on protecting more than 1,500 miles of rivers and surrounding public lands across the Western United States through Wild and Scenic River designations, National Conservation Areas, and related public land protections. Priority landscapes include the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, the Gila watershed in New Mexico, the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon, the Dolores River corridor in Colorado, the Greater Yellowstone region in Montana, and Northern California river systems included in the PUBLIC Lands Act.
These landscapes contain some of the most ecologically significant and recreation-rich river systems in the country. Rivers proposed for protection support cold-water fisheries, intact riparian habitat, wildlife migration corridors, and climate refugia that become increasingly important as temperatures warm and hydrology shifts. These rivers are also nationally important outdoor recreation destinations supporting boating, fishing, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, hunting, and backcountry travel. Their protection helps sustain local economies and preserves opportunities for people to connect with public lands and waters.
