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For as long as anyone can remember, the San Joaquin River has been the life blood of the community of the San Joaquin Valley– the source of our agricultural economy, our sense of community and our connection to nature. This is the message of a new campaign launched recently by ̽����ѡ California and a coalition of conservation and recreational groups seeking to rally support for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, which was approved by Congress in 2009. 

“A living river is not only good for birds and other wildlife, it can form the backbone of a healthy community and economy as well,” said Meghan Hertel, ̽����ѡ California’s San Joaquin River Project manager. “The goal of this campaign is to help people give voice to the idea that the Restoration will ensure that our children have access to a San Joaquin River that provides for us all: agriculture, wildlife, clean water, and recreation.”

Learn more about the campaign at its website:

The backbone of the campaign will be ̽����ѡ’s chapters in the San Joaquin Valley: San Joaquin ̽����ѡ, Stanislaus ̽����ѡ, Fresno ̽����ѡ and Yosemite ̽����ѡ. These chapters will conduct grassroots outreach at the local level, encouraging their members and friends to write to lawmakers expressing support for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. 

“From the perspective of a bird enthusiast, the San Joaquin provides so many wonderful opportunities,” said Howard Clark, president of Fresno ̽����ѡ. “Here in Fresno, we’re lucky to have a great river running right through town. Not many California cities have that connection to nature, and we want to make sure it stays like this for a long time.”

Also participating in the ‘I’m for the River’ campaign is the San Joaquin River Conservation Partnership and a number of recreational groups that support the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. 

About ̽����ѡ California

̽����ѡ California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. ̽����ѡ California is a field program of ̽����ѡ, which has more than 100,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local chapters dedicated to protecting birds, wildlife and the habitats that support them.