Summer 2007

There are times in organizations, as with any traveler who comes to a fork, where a decision must be made in order to continue the journey. Committing to one path over another is an exercise in judgment, courage, and chance. Strain though we might to see around the bend, we can only see so far. Yet we must choose, despite knowing “how way leads on to way” we will be changed forever—not passing this way again. While a close read of Robert Frost’s famous work holds regret for the path he did not choose (see Riverkeeper cover note, pg. 2), as it relates to our organizational path, my sentiments here diverge with the poet. And for good reason.

Given climate change and the fact that Oregon will absorb population growth equivalent to three Portlands in the next couple of decades, conservation as usual has the recovery of Oregon’s freshwater resources in a race it cannot win on any timeline for any dollar figure. We have come to realize that only through refocusing can we drive needed change. The choice to play offense was clear and the results of our re-focusing have been swift. Over the last 18 months, our revenues have more than doubled. Our educational reach has grown 3x, and within the year, we will field-test a technology product that stands to revolutionize how—and how fast—stream restoration happens.

We did not do this by whim, and our results have not been by accident. We examined our course—down to the person—in every possible light before embarking, and by all objective measures, we are on the right path. Big things lay ahead, and with your strength behind us, we are pursuing those things directly.

Yours in conservation,

Joe S. Whitworth
Executive Director