At no other moment since the first Earth Day 55 years ago has our nation’s conservation legacy been so threatened.
Earth Day is a special day for everyone who loves and appreciates life on our planet as we celebrate habitat, species, vast landscapes, clean air, and the water that renews and recharges our rivers, streams, wetlands, and ultimately, our oceans.
This year, however, is shaping up to be different. Amidst this administration’s ongoing assault on our environment, the meaning, importance, and necessity of Earth Day is taking on an even greater significance.
Whereas the first Earth Day in 1970 brought people together under our collective need for a healthy planet, today the laws and agencies intended to preserve that health are under attack in the U.S. The Trump administration has taken aim at long-time, effective tenets of our conservation heritage: they have gutted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), threatened the integrity of National Monuments, denuded staff in our National Parks and National Forests, and are now moving to remove habitat protections under the Endangered Species Act. The administration’s disregard for the environment, conservation, and long-term sustainability is crystal clear.
At WaterWatch, we continue to see progress and enjoy success in much of our state-based work here in Oregon, but the administration’s persistent attacks on our federal public lands, waters, and environmental health is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with the conservation ideals and federal agencies bearing the brunt of this assault, and we know Oregonians want and demand better from this administration.
Every day is Earth Day at WaterWatch, and with your help, we’ll continue to do our part by protecting Oregon’s groundwaters, removing antiquated dams that harm fish passage, restoring impacted river ecosystems, and standing up for species, habitat, and rivers in our state legislature.
We expect more assaults on our environment, and on conservation-focused nonprofits like WaterWatch. That’s why your support for WaterWatch this Earth Day speaks volumes, and will make a considerable impact as we fight to preserve the gains we’ve made and successes for water and rivers we’ve achieved together.
Please make a special Earth Day gift to WaterWatch today. With your generous help, we will continue to stand up for Oregon’s rivers this Earth Day, and every day to come.
Lower Oneonta Falls banner photo courtesy of Adobe Stock, Walker Creek and Big Rock Creek staff photos by Tommy Hough, North Umpqua River fly fishing photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Roseburg office.
