COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
In order to effectively fulfill our mission, our work and people must reflect the values that cultivate a culture of respect and accountability with anti-racist practices with authentic communication. We recognize the historic inequalities associated with the environmental conservation movement, outdoor recreation, and access to waterways. Thus, we are dedicated to dismantling these systems of oppression in both the workplace and in our communities.
The work starts with us.
The work starts with us.
We are the frontline defense for water protection in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania. We patrol and monitor for pollution in our waterways by using high quality monitoring and sampling technologies to collect water sample. We are part of an enormous effort by watershed organizations to collect and monitor water quality data in Western Pennsylvania. We partner with organizations to amplify efforts to create a scientific and legal approach to improving the water quality in our Three Rivers based on water data and our own patrols and visual assessments.
The presence of the 3RWK boat and kayaks on the three rivers is critical to improve the water quality through visible monitoring and patrols in areas where the threat to water quality is greatest. Threats that require rapid response and/or monitoring are reported to us by partner organizations, concerned community members, and community groups. We maintain high quality monitoring and sampling technologies to thoroughly and credibly investigate pollution threats and incidents. The types of programs that are water-focused include:
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We educate, train and empower community members to become water stewards. These stewards create positive experiences with our waterways and to instill a connection to nature among their friends and neighbors. Our program uses educational tools to build lasting relationships with locals who use the rivers for recreation and teaches them to spot and report pollution. To support these activities and ensure equal access to the rivers, we provide kayak memberships for dedicated volunteers. We also recognize the importance of connecting with community members who don’t actively recreate on our waterways. To engage them, we host land-based educational and outreach programs that work to connect people to our waterways and educate them on watershed ecology and water quality issues. By providing technical and legal assistance, mapping tools, and access to available information; we recruit and educate a new generation of river stewards.
The types of programs that are community-focused include:
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We harness scientific data and community education and empowerment to ensure clean water laws are enforced. Our model focuses on scientific and legal advocacy with the aim of holding polluters accountable to the law, particularly through the Clean Water Act.
We do this through regular review of water permits, collecting water quality data, and engaging in regulatory proceedings and permit applications. Combining scientific rigor with legal expertise, we serve as an enforcer of the nation’s clean water laws where state and federal agencies have failed. The types of programs that are advocacy-focused include:
Learn more about our current litigation here. |