Rivers Without Borders

Description

Rivers Without Borders is a nonprofit that promotes and protects the ecological and cultural values of transboundary watersheds shared by southeast Alaska and northwest British Columbia.

It focuses on seven river systems in the region, including the Alsek-Tatshenshini, Chilkat, Taku, Whiting, Iskut-Stikine and Unuk watersheds, which support wildlife and all five species of Pacific salmon. It works with First Nations, tribes, commercial fishermen, scientists, community leaders, businesses, conservation advocates, and legal and technical experts to keep the region wild. The organization campaigns for permanent protection of large wilderness areas and has pushed for stronger environmental safeguards against mining threats such as the Tulsequah Chief mine on the Taku River.

Its roots go back to 1990s efforts opposing a copper mine proposal on the Alsek-Tatshenshini, which led to the 1999 creation of a network called the Transboundary Watershed Alliance. That alliance became Rivers Without Borders in 2007. It has staff and associates based in Juneau and Petersburg, Alaska, Victoria, British Columbia, and northwest Washington, and is fiscally sponsored by the Tides Center.