On the Move: How We Took Our Impact Initiatives on A Nationwide Tour

For most of us, access to clean water is as simple as turning on a faucet. But over recent years, it has become more and more apparent of a widespread issue that is plaguing our country: people’s lack of access to a sustainable amount of clean water. Over 2 million people in the United States don’t have access to clean water. This comes at a time in our lives when the value of water is as good as gold. Thankfully, there are organizations across the country that are proactive on this issue and advocate for change in their communities and the nation as a whole.  

We wanted to learn more about their work and how everyday people can get involved. I’m Candice, a professional photographer, van lifer, and environmental activist who is passionate about sustainability. I traveled with Christine, a licensed drone pilot, podcaster, and lifelong traveler, and, in partnership with Liquid I.V., we traveled around the country on an initiative called Impact On the Road to meet with organizations and community leaders working hard to ensure everyone has access to clean water. 

  
What better place to kick off our cross-country trip than Liquid I.V.'s backyard with Heal the Bay? Heal the Bay is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit committed to the protection of all things water! They use science-based data to educate, drive community action, and advocate for protective environmental policies. To start, they host community events that help gather data for scientists to determine water quality. The water quality results are available to the public and used to direct policy change.  
 
Heal the Bay is taking bold climate action to address this pollution with clean-ups, education, community action, and push for policies that protect our waters and public health. There are three methods to get involved with Heal the Bay. The first is with your time: participating in cleanups, educational events, and other volunteer opportunities. The second is with monetary donations. And the third is using your voice: speaking up for environmental policy change, signing petitions, and sharing on social channels. No matter where you are, cleaning up the environment around you, educating yourself on issues in your area, and using your voice to promote public and environmental health are great ways to get involved. 

HEAL THE BAY 101   

• Who: Heal the Bay  

• What: Environmental nonprofit making the coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean 

• The Problem: Water contamination from litter & pollution 

• Their Efforts: Cleanups, providing education and water quality reports, and advocating for policy change to protect our water and public health  

• How You Can Get Involved: Time (cleanups, educational events), money (donations), voice (petitions, sharing on socials)  

• Where to Learn More: https://healthebay.org

 
 
From there, we stepped out of our backyard to learn more about issues facing California and headed to the Colorado River. The Colorado River is a vital water source for the West, but it faces a massive problem. It has been overallocated, which means water has been promised more than it can provide. The river has been actively dried up by taking more water than is sustainable. We had to learn more! 
 
What better resource to consult than the global nonprofit The Waterkeeper Alliance? They are dedicated to "clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet." There are over 300 chapters known as Waterkeepers or Riverkeepers, each with a "unique voice, reflecting our diverse communities and watersheds." Waterkeepers intimately know the needs of their community and environment, and because of that, they're the best resource to defend, enforce, and promote clean water laws for their waterway. Waterkeeper Alliance is dedicated to uniting and uplifting communities, as we're stronger together "when we lift each other's voices and the voices of the communities we serve.”  
 
So we set our maps to Moab to meet with John Weisheit, the Colorado River Waterkeeper and Conservation Director for Living Rivers. After days of driving through the hot desert, seeing very little water, plenty of tumbleweeds, and predominantly red rocks, seeing the Colorado River was like seeing an oasis. This oasis had lush green plants on the banks, beautifully contrasting the red cliffs, and there were also people rafting on the river past Christine and me. Our jaws dropped in stunned awe at what we were seeing. It was stunning. Then we were immediately hit with the realization that this beautiful river that just took our breath away was in crisis.

##“Our jaws dropped in stunned awe at what we were seeing. It was stunning. Then we were immediately hit with the realization that this beautiful river that just took our breath away was in crisis.”

The Colorado River Waterkeeper focuses on awareness and policy change to protect the health of the river and equitable access to clean drinking water. Everything starts with awareness because we don't know what we don't know. Once we see the problem, we can't unsee it. Educating yourself and then taking actions that make sense for you is the best way to get involved. Activism is a long-term journey, as change takes time and effort. John's advice was to keep your fire burning, tap into your why, and shout it from the rooftops! Sign petitions. Advocate for your waterways. And push for policy change that prioritizes public and ecological health. 
 
The Waterkeeper Alliance 101 

• Who: Colorado River Waterkeeper of The Waterkeeper Alliance  

• What: Environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting the health of the river and providing equitable access to clean drinking water 

• The Problem: Overallocated waters—more water is being taken than the river can provide, rapidly drying the river up 

• Their Efforts: Education, petitions, and aggressive policy change 

• How You Can Get Involved: Educate yourself and advocate for policy change that prioritizes public and ecological health 

• Where to learn more: https://waterkeeper.org/

 
After the Colorado River we headed to Columbia, Missouri. Within moments of stepping onto The University of Missouri’s campus to meet Angel Santiago, we witnessed the incredible power of collaboration and community. Multiple student groups were coming together on the mall to connect, create events, and speak up for shared values. In the first five minutes of meeting Angel, we were serendipitously met by another researcher whose work supports the very reason we were there. It wasn't lost on us that we were seeing the importance of community action in real time.

##“Once we see the problem, we can't unsee it. Educating yourself and then taking actions that make sense for you is the best way to get involved...activism is a long-term journey."

Angel is a researcher and leader for the Latino Climate Council, a branch of the Hispanic Access Foundation. The Hispanic Access Foundation is a nonprofit that provides resources for and uplifts Latino leaders across the United States. They have a wide range of programs and initiatives that empower and strengthen individuals and, in turn, their communities & country. One of their conservation programs, The Latino Climate Council, focuses on environmental conservation from a foundation of intersectionality.  
 
Missouri is facing a massive water crisis. Their drinking water comes from lakes and rivers and 87% of their rivers are considered impaired! This means their water is contaminated by nonpoint source pollution: any runoff from humans or nature that makes its way to our waterways. This includes leaves falling off trees, commercial dumping, pesticides from farms, and general litter. 
 
Angel and his team of researchers analyze water samples collected from volunteers. The data gleaned is then used to guide policy change for safer waterways. Climate justice starts with education and community action. We might think collecting water samples every month doesn't make much of a difference, but the data directly impacts policy that affects 10 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces.  

Water connects us all. For example, contaminants near the headwaters of Missouri flow over 2,500 miles to millions of people. Protecting these waters and prioritizing public health is essential. It starts with awareness and then leads to education. From there, we can get involved, take action, and speak up for environmental policies that also protect public health. 
 
Latino Climate Council 101  

• Who: Latino Climate Council of the Hispanic Access Foundation  

• What: A sustainability-focused environmental group supported by a larger nonprofit that uplifts Latino leaders in the U.S. 

• The Problem: Impaired (contaminated) water sources 

• Their Efforts: Collect data from volunteers to drive policy change that prioritizes public health and protects our waters.  

• How You Can Get Involved: Waterway cleanups and speaking up for policies that prioritize public health and protect our waters.  

• Where to Learn More: https://hispanicaccess.org/

From Missouri to Mississippi, we passed through 4 states, went through the Lakes of the Ozarks, and followed the winding tributaries of rivers before eventually arriving in Jackson, Mississippi. We drove past murals of hope and pride in this "City With Soul.” We were greeted by warm smiles and a sense of community, a community that's gone through difficult times and consistently rises above it, better than before. Here we met with a powerhouse grassroots movement of volunteers, the Pearl River Keepers.  
 
The Pearl River Keepers are a robust chapter of the Waterkeeper Alliance, similar to the Colorado Waterkeeper we met in Moab. They take a multifaceted approach to achieving their mission to protect everyone's right to clean—drinkable, swimmable, and fishable—water. Their very first river cleanup brought in over a thousand people! Now they orchestrate cleanups "across 15 Mississippi counties, 2 Louisiana parishes, and over 490 miles of beautiful river."  
 
They do so much more than just cleanups; they monitor the waterway’s sediment, and pollution from litter, and regularly test water quality. They facilitate citizen scientist volunteers trained by Mississippi State University to take regular water samples and gather data that will be used to guide action and drive policy change.  
 
Volunteering for clean-ups and donating to reputable grassroots organizations in the area are the best ways to uplift and support the Jackson community.  No matter where you are, learning about water issues in your area and taking action is key.  
 
Pearl River Keepers 101 

• Who: Pearl River Keepers 

• What: A nonprofit dedicated to protecting everyone's right to clean—swimmable, drinkable, and fishable—water. 

• The Problem: Polluted waterways and aging infrastructure  

• Their Efforts: Engage the community with cleanups, monitor the waterway’s sediment, and pollution from litter, water quality testing, and building better access to recreation on the water. 

• How You Can Get Involved: Volunteer for clean-ups and donate to reputable grassroots organizations. 

• Where To Learn More: https://www.pearlriverkeeper.com/

As we've traveled across the nation learning about the many issues facing our water in the United States, we couldn't help but notice how many shared issues our waters and communities face. Our next stop brought together two powerhouse organizations from two very different communities with very different issues, but the root is the same: the underserved don't have access to drinking water. We met with them in Washington D.C. to learn about systemic change and see it in action.  
 
The Community Water Center (CWC) is creating "community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy in California.” They serve the San Joaquin Valley, a predominantly agricultural area plagued with water problems, including wells running dry, toxic water, extremely high costs, and unconstitutional ordinances. CWC lives and breathes its mission. They're in D.C. to lobby for the belief that "clean water is a human right, not a privilege."

##“As we've traveled across the nation learning about the many issues facing our water in the United States, we couldn't help but notice how many shared issues our waters and communities face.”

We the People of Detroit (WTP) is a robust grassroots organization that is prioritizing policy for the well-being of all Detroiters. They're a community of "activists, academics, researchers, and designers to make research-based change" specifically focused on water, land, and education. They're in D.C. to address a massive water security issue: approximately 300,000 Detroiters face the threat of having their water shut off. Water is necessary for life, and yet, thousands of people don't have access. WTP is in D.C. advocating for their city’s public health and right to clean water.  
 
Though their water issues vary, CWC and WTP have the same root problem: not everyone has access to clean water. Together they are fighting for equitable access to clean water in their individual communities. At home, CWC is using education and water quality reports to get people activated and advocating for the right to clean water. WTP is using the power of community and education to make sure everyone can afford clean water. 

  
They're in DC lobbying and actively pushing for equitable access to clean water in their area and beyond. That is the beautiful thing about these two grassroots organizations coming together; their reach expands and promotes nationwide change. Their message—to get educated and involved in your community—rang loud and clear. Across the nation, there are established organizations that provide water quality reports, education, and resources to get involved in policy change.   

Community Water Center 101 

• Who: Community Water Center (CWC) 

• What: A community nonprofit creating driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy in California 

• The Problem: Toxic water, limited-to-no access to water, and unconstitutional ordinances  

• Their Efforts: Provide resources, education, and water quality reports to get people activated and advocating for the right to clean water 

• How You Can Get Involved: Learn more, speak up for underserved communities, and donate. 

• Where To Learn More: https://www.communitywatercenter.org/

 
We the People of Detroit 101 

• Who: We the People of Detroit (WTP) 

• What: A robust grassroots organization that prioritizes policy for the well-being of all Detroiters. 

• The Problem: Citizens don't have access to clean water. 

• Their Efforts: Use the power of community and education to make sure everyone can afford clean water 

• How You Can Get Involved: Learn more, speak up for underserved communities, and donate. 

• Where To Learn More: https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/

Our next organization is creating a massive wave in the world of water rights.  The Center for Water Security and Cooperation's (CWSC) mission is to "advance water security by understanding, evaluating, and innovating in water law and governance.” They are water lawyers who specialize in making policy changes focused on protecting our water and prioritizing public health.  
 
Their initiatives aim to get the public involved with education, cooperation, and community outreach. They don't want to just create the laws, they also want people to get involved: speak up and learn how to make the laws work for them. Every community has specific needs, so making lasting changes for equitable access to clean water requires community input. Although each community is different, our water connects us. Just like the Missouri River supplies water to ten states and two provinces, anything that happens near the headwaters will affect all ten states and two provinces. The Colorado River Basin connects seven states, and 80% of the water goes to farmland. We are all connected just like our water problems.  
 
They take an intersectional approach through ecology and public health to protect local waters and global waters. They understand that water problems aren't limited to just one region, we're all interconnected, and clean, equitable water must be a national and global movement.  

Protecting our waters and public safety must be prioritized as a global movement. But that starts with individual action, educating yourself on the issues. Taking action can look different for everyone. From clean-ups, and signing petitions, to donating, all actions are valid. Throughout this trip, we’ve seen the power of community in making policy change. Finding organizations to participate with or creating a community, is essential.  

 
The Center for Water Security and Cooperation 101 

• Who: The Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC) 

• What: A nonprofit driven to advance water security by understanding, evaluating, and innovating in water law and governance 

• The Problem: Current laws aren't protecting our waters or prioritizing public health.  

• Their Efforts: Education, cooperation, community outreach, and policy change. 

• How You Can Get Involved: Learn about issues in your area, take action, speak up, and donate. 

• Where To Learn More: https://www.ourwatersecurity.org/

The United States is huge and incredibly diverse. As we drove through countless biomes and communities, we saw tons of differences. But what we noticed more were the similarities. Communities across the U.S. are facing a multitude of water issues. We saw people and organizations coming together to speak up and take action for our nation's health and waterways. Clean water is a human right that we should all have access to.  
 
Educating ourselves will help guide actions forward. Everyone's situation is different, so take action in a way that is sustainable to you. Use your skills to take action! If you are a great speaker, then speak up! If you have the resources to donate, do that. Each avenue supports the cause. 
 
Our voices might feel small and insignificant, but they matter. Together we are louder and more impactful. We must unite and fight for equitable access to clean water. Very little will motivate someone to get up and take action like seeing a community come together to speak up with powerful voices about issues that have broken their hearts time and time again. Support for these organizations takes many forms; it can be donating directly or volunteering. It could also be educating yourself and becoming active in your local community's water issues. Remember, we're all connected and what helps one community will ripple out to more.

###Written by Candice Kalb, Impact Ambassador