Who are we?

The River Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to planning for natural resource protection, conservation and enhancement in Los Angeles County.

Our mission is to encourage responsible management of our watershed lands and revitalization of our rivers for the social, economic and environmental benefit of our communities. Through outreach, advocacy, scientific research and hands-on educational programs, we provide communities with the tools to reclaim their riverfront lands.

What do we do?

• Advocate for a more integrated watershed-based approach to planning
• Identify opportunities to improve our riverfronts and surrounding watershed lands
• Undertake necessary scientific studies to revitalize our rivers
• Focus on accomplishing multi-objective projects
• Participate in policy development at the local, regional and statewide level
• Engage communities in the process of creating parkways and bikeways along our rivers
• Work closely with schools to provide hands on, project-based learning opportunities
• Facilitate locally-driven public art along our river greenways
• Provide communities with the knowledge and tools they need to be watershed stewards
• Promote awareness of our native ecosystem and a sense of place in Southern California

What are some of our key accomplishments?

The River Project organized the Coalition for a State Park at Taylor Yard and led the successful fight to establish the first state park on the Los Angeles River. We have undertaken a comprehensive study of the Tujunga Wash subwatershed, and are actively engaged in the design and development of several river greenway parks in the San Fernando Valley.

Our educational program has been named in the state board of education's California Guide to Environmental Literacy as one of the best environmental education projects in the state.

We are active partners in policy development through the LA & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, the county’s LA River Masterplan Advisory Committee, the city of LA’s Integrated Resource Plan, its C.R.E.S.T. (Cleaner Rivers through Effective Stakeholder TMDLs) Steering Committee,and its Ad Hoc Committee on the Los Angeles River.

In March of 2003, The River Project director, Melanie Winter was honored by Sunset Magazine as the first recipient of their annual environmental hero awards “Champions of the West.”

Website by Pamela Reynolds