One of the original founders of Friends of the River, Rob Caughlan was a driving force in the fight to protect the Stanislaus River and helped build the organization into a lasting voice for California’s rivers. A lifelong activist known for his optimism and leadership, Rob’s legacy continues to inspire the river protection movement—read Jerry Meral’s tribute to his friend and extraordinary advocate.
Ron Stork reflects on the passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a powerful Northern California lawmaker and staunch opponent of environmental protections.
Fish Over People — Friends of the River is fighting back against Executive Order 14181, which would weaken environmental protections and push more water exports at the expense of rivers, fish, and communities.
Urge the State Water Board to Set Strong New Flow Standards for Rivers and the Bay-Delta
Laura is a passionate outdoorswoman and artist. Her love for the Sierra Nevada Mountains and her home in the foothills is infectious. Her photography captures the essence of the natural world’s beauty, majesty, and changing moods.
For decades, the Kern River has run dry through Bakersfield due to upstream diversions, but a historic lawsuit to restore flows has reached the California Supreme Court and could determine whether long-standing legal protections for rivers will be upheld. This critical case could help bring life back to the Kern River and set a powerful precedent for river protection across California.