CRITICAL RESOURCE CAMPAIGN

To restore, renew, and rejoice in the watershed we call home.

The RESPECT RUSSIAN RIVER campaign was developed by the Russian River Confluence to create awareness around the health of the Russian River and spark an active community of river stewards. 

Within these pages you’ll find opportunities to:

  • Represent the River by sporting merchandise purchased from local businesses; raising awareness, promoting the beauty of our region, and providing a donation through your purchase. Scroll below to find or become a retailer.

  • Protect the River by following the Leave No Trace principles.

  • Learn about the issues and ecology of the river. And take steps with us to conserve water, repair riparian corridors, participate in stakeholder conferences to support issues of importance to the health of the river such as the Potter Valley project and more.

  • Donate / Sponsor to help deliver programs that bring us all together. Every donation goes to protect the river, just click to donate above. Interested in sponsoring a program? We can work with you to invest in programs that matter to you and highlight your business/organization’s support. Contact us through the button below to build a sponsor plan for you.

Represent

Respect Russian River merchandise can be purchased from local merchants.

Through funding from Sonoma County and RR Confluence Partners, the RESPECT campaign has been designed to have the maximum positive impact on our local businesses and the health of the Russian River.

A percentage of each purchase from a local business partner will go toward the Confluence and its efforts to restore and revitalize the Russian River. 

RESPECT RUSSIAN RIVER

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SHOP LOCAL FOR RESPECT RUSSIAN RIVER MERCHANDISE

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RESPECT RUSSIAN RIVER 〰️ SHOP LOCAL FOR RESPECT RUSSIAN RIVER MERCHANDISE 〰️

Organizations / Artists / Retailers

Design merch you’d like to see • Carry merchandise at your store or organization • Shirt up your volunteer crew • Join the movement

Campaign Sponsors

Local organizations and businesses can take a lrole in promoting the long term health of the Russian River through donations and partnership level support. 

FAQs

  • The Russian River is facing a number of serious challenges that require watershed-wide collaboration.

    Water Supply: decommissioning the Potter Valley PG&E Dam is a critical issue for water supply coming into the Russian River. More frequent droughts and floods exacerbated by climate change threaten reliable water supply.

    Water Health and Habitat degradation: Over use by recreation, agricultural cultivation, and urban development alter stream channels, increase erosion, impair water quality, modify riparian vegetation, and threaten aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

    Develop Climate Resilience: Climate change is a global process with some very real, local impacts on the Russian River and the people who live and work in Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties.

    Economic and Quality of Life Impact: The loss of salmon during the drought resulted in the cancelation of the salmon fishing season in 2023. Water supply concerns are triggering new monitoring of well water and cancellation of water rights during dry seasons.

  • Russian River Respect creates awareness of key issues, strengthens residents and visitor pride in the river, and provides pathways for engagement in protecting and restoring this vital resource. This campaign creates a channel to bring stakeholders together to learn about and support programs that strengthen the health of the Russian River watershed. This not only includes the river itself but the local communities that depend on a healthy watershed.

  • The Russian River Confluence in coordination with Sonoma County, and aided by professional consultants have come together to create a platform in support of the Russian River.

    The project enlisted the input of numerous stakeholders to help guide the direction of the overall campaign.

    The Russian River Confluence includes organizations involved in the Russian River including, to name just a few, tribal representatives, Conservation Works, Russian Riverkeeper, Sonoma Land Trust, Land Paths, Sonoma County Water Agency, Regional Parks, Sonoma and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts, Chambers of Commerce, and more.

    In short, this is a Russian River community-wide effort and your engagement is encouraged. See the About Us here for specifics organizations.