In light of the incoming administration planning to remove environmental laws and safeguards, the federal Clean Water Act, our waterways, and Waterkeeper organizations nationwide may be in peril.

We took the AP Environmental Science class of Patriot High on a field trip to the Santa Ana River at McLean Park! This amazing group of students braved the wet morning to learn about the history of the Santa Ana River, the impacts of storm-water runoff, and major issues pertaining to native and introduced species in the area. 

We focused outreach efforts to the most underserved schools in the Inland Empire, more specifically in the San Bernardino and Moreno Valley area. For our first program of the year we met with Mt. Vernon’s second grade class to talk about their watershed and the amazing things they will see and do on their field trip to the Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s Chino Creek Wetlands.

Inland Empire Waterkeeper partnered with Clearwater Elementary in Perris, CA to educate teachers and students on water sustainability through the  Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools (DROPS).  

The DROPS program conducts projects that are focused on reducing stormwater pollution and providing multiple benefits including water conservation, water supply augmentation, energy savings, increased awareness of water resource sustainability, and reduced dry weather runoff. 

Waterkeeper conducted outreach to the Ready Fresh employees of Los Angeles to educate them on water stewardship and to let them know what a difference their colleagues have made on waterways through the Crest to Coast project!

Attendance was at a record high for Waterkeeper’s third annual Rivercamp. The current climate of  water education and sustainability in the forefront of parents minds. Even that week's blistering weather could not contain the eager young minds of the Rivercampers. Children from all walks of life coming together to experience the Santa Ana River and learn about the environment, biology, geology, zoology and water science.

Inland Empire Waterkeeper’s Crest to Coast diorama of the Santa Ana River Watershed was unveiled at the Riverside Art Museum’s atrium for the Art of Water Protection’s Earth Day festivities and will remain available for public viewing until June 19th.

For Earth Week, Inland Empire Waterkeeper attended many events to share the work Waterkeeper does to better our environment and most importantly, our waterways. Check out how we celebrated Earth Day with our community!

Program Director, Megan Brousseau, of Inland Empire Waterkeeper advocated for clean water at the Jurupa Valley City Council meeting on Thursday, April 21^st. The new City of Jurupa Valley was to vote for the Paradise Knolls Specific Plan that will replace the 112 acres of golf course with over 600 building units, as well as a retail center, in close proximity to the Santa Ana River.