Posted: June 19, 2024
Giving Back to the River: Introducing The Big River Give
The Ottawa River gives us so much – it’s the lake you swim in, the river you drink from, the stream you fish from, the creek you paddle down, and the shoreline you walk along – here’s how we give back.
Ottawa – June 19th, 2024. Ottawa Riverkeeper has officially launched The Big River Give, the organization’s first-ever major fundraising campaign. The launch event, which took place this morning at Ottawa Riverkeeper’s Learning Lab in the NCC River House, celebrated the $3M raised to date through the incredible generosity of early leadership donors and invited the community to join in and give back to the river to reach the $5M campaign goal.
Held at the scenic NCC River House on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory, the launch event brought together community members to learn about Ottawa Riverkeeper’s ambitious plans for the future of watershed protection. This campaign aims to secure a healthy future for the river and its watershed by connecting communities to the Ottawa River like never before.
“The river flows through our lives every day, sustaining and providing for us. As we learn more and more about the importance of water in our lives and the threats that face our waterways, we recognize how the river needs us as well” said Laura Reinsborough, Riverkeeper and CEO of Ottawa Riverkeeper. “By donating to the Big River Give, not only will you help protect the river, but you will also build the momentum needed to secure a healthy future for our waterways.”
In 2023, Ottawa Riverkeeper moved into its new home on the river at the NCC River House, fulfilling a long-term dream for the organization to have a space by the water for science and education. With dock space for the Ottawa Riverkeeper research vessel, a science lab for investigations into watershed health, meeting spaces to convene community groups and decision-makers, and a home for a hands-on River School in the Ottawa Riverkeeper Learning Lab, the opportunities for engagement and impact are greater than ever.
The seed of this vision has already been planted, with new and exciting programming being developed at River House. When the campaign goal is fully realized, donors will have helped to:
- Teach 2500 additional students annually about the importance of a healthy river and ecosystem
- Inspire 10,000 visitors to connect with the river at the Learning Lab every year, deepening their understanding of their local waterways
- Bring community groups and decision-makers together, convening summits, workshops, and discussions to tackle the important issues impacting your waterways
- Uncover the state of the river, and what is threatening it, through new and expanded research and community science programs
- Engage and equip communities to take action on important river issues
At the launch event, inaugural Honorary Riverkeeper Mark Carney shared his support for the campaign, and his generosity has been instrumental in making this vision a reality.
“The crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss are global issues that require local action. Ottawa Riverkeeper is taking that action within our community,” said Mark Carney. “As part of the largest freshwater watershed in the world, Ottawa Riverkeeper focuses on education, research, and advocacy to ensure we pass on to the next generation a river ecosystem that is better than what we were given.”
The Ottawa River is Canada’s capital river, a heritage river, and the second-largest river in Eastern Canada. It sustains millions of Canadians and boasts rich biodiversity, including many rare and threatened species. The time to take action for watershed protection is now. We must build a solid foundation to secure a healthy Ottawa River watershed for all generations and all species. The river gives us so much; here’s how we give back.
Ottawa Riverkeeper extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the launch event and to those who have already contributed to the campaign. Now the campaign turns to the public phase, inviting community members to support a healthy future for the river. To donate to The Big River Give campaign, please make a gift here, or contact us at donations@ottawariverkeeper.ca to make larger contributions to this exciting new era of watershed protection.
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About Ottawa Riverkeeper
Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization, is a champion and collective voice for the Ottawa River watershed, providing leadership and inspiration to protect, promote and improve its ecological health and future. Expert and independent, our organization advocates for responsible and participatory decision-making, public education, access to information, and compliance with protective regulations. Guided by a science-based approach, we provide clear information with the aim to engage the public and empower citizens and decision-makers to ensure clean, healthy, and accessible water for all people and species.
For more information:
Matthew Brocklehurst, Communications Manager
media@ottawariverkeeper.ca