WELCOME TO YADKIN RIVERKEEPER
Mission
Yadkin Riverkeeper is a nonprofit, membership organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the Yadkin Pee Dee River basin through education, advocacy and action.
Vision and Goals
Our overarching goals are to ensure clean drinking water and a healthy, safe River for the benefit of all the basin’s nearly 3 million residents.
How YRK achieves these goals:
· Educates and informs our membership and the general public about the importance of the River to our region’s economy and environment.
· Organizes River paddles and educational events throughout the year.
· Monitors and samples the River and Lakes for pollution and alerts officials and the public about threats to the River and Lakes.
· Advocates for policies to protect the River’s water quality and natural resources.
· Supports efforts to improve public access to the River and its tributaries and expand public parkland and conserved river buffers along the River.
· Promotes sustainable agriculture production in the basin, while working to better regulate large scale animal production facilities that threaten water quality.
Water Quality Priorities
North Carolina’s rapid population growth, particularly in the Triad region, is having a profound impact on the Yadkin River. This unprecedented growth impacts local drinking water supplies driving up treatment costs. YRK current water quality priorities include:
1. Limiting nutrient and bacterial pollution from wastewater treatment plants and large-scale agricultural operations in the watershed to reduce harmful algae blooms in the River and Lakes.
2. Minimizing stormwater and agricultural runoff.
3. Promoting and supporting river-friendly, sustainable farms.
4. Cleaning up coal ash and inactive hazardous waste sites along the River and Lakes.
5. Making the River safe and enjoyable for all forms of recreation.
Yadkin Riverkeeper engages citizens in clean water issues through education, advocacy and action and hope you will sign up for our monthly e-news, which will keep you informed about issues impacting the River.
Our Riverkeeper Protection Program is licensed by Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, with more than 300 Waterkeeper organizations and affiliates protecting rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents. North Carolina currently has 15 Riverkeepers in different watersheds. Through that program we monitor water quality using a variety of water testing methods and aerial surveys of the watershed.
We are funded by individuals, companies and foundations who share our commitment to clean water. Help us keep the Yadkin River fishable, swimmable and drinkable, now and for future generations by becoming a member today?
Membership benefits include:
· Monthly E-newsletter
· Invitations to members only historical paddles and events.
· Discounts to other paddles, merchandise and events.
· Issue briefings and educational forums.
