Friends of the River protects and preserves California Rivers by influencing public policy and inspiring citizen action.

Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, the group grew to become California’s statewide river conservation organization. Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving and restoring California’s rivers, streams, and their watersheds as well as advocating for sustainable water management.