Become a Waterkeeper

What is a Waterkeeper? 

Waterkeeper groups are locally led organizations working to protect their communities’ rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Each is a licensed member organization of Waterkeeper Alliance. Only approved, licensed groups may use Waterkeeper, Riverkeeper, Soundkeeper, or other names in the Waterkeeper trademark family.

What becoming a Waterkeeper means

Starting a Waterkeeper group is a commitment to ongoing, local water protection. Your group must:

• Be a legally recognized nonprofit, community, civil society, or Indigenous-led organization – or operate under an eligible sponsoring organization.
• Designate a Waterkeeper whose primary work is monitoring, protecting, and advocating for your waters, and maintain a physical presence in the area.
• Engage local communities, respond to their concerns, and advocate for compliance with environmental laws.
• Build the funding, plans, and organizational capacity to sustain your work.
• Meet Waterkeeper Alliance’s Quality Standards, pay annual membership and license fees, and stay engaged through communications, surveys, calls, meetings, and other participation opportunities. Our staff will share the full Quality Standards and help you understand these expectations during the intake process.

How to get started

Check the map. We only consider proposals for watersheds or geographic areas where there is not already a licensed Waterkeeper group. Visit Find Your Waterkeeper to see who is working near you.

Tell us about your plans. Complete our intake form to introduce your organization (or visions for one), your watershed, and the work already happening in your community.

Work with our team. We’ll follow up to explore whether becoming a Waterkeeper is a fit and guide you through developing a proposal. Proposals undergo staff vetting and committee review before a final vote by our Board of Directors.