Save The River

Save The River An educated public is essential to the protection, restoration and preservation of the St. Lawrence River. Our vision for the St.

Our page is devoted to providing interesting and critical information to a concerned and engaged River community. Since 1978 Save The River has been the leading environmental advocacy organization fighting for the ecological integrity of the St. Lawrence River, first against year-round navigation, then expansion of the Seaway to accommodate larger ships and most recently securing approval of a mod

ern water levels plan (Plan 2014) that will restore critical wetland habitat and threatened species. Save The River will continue to advocate for stronger protections against invasive species through stringent ballast water regulations and barriers to Asian Carp entering the Great Lakes, increased planning and training to deal with shipping emergencies and to prevent the shipping of unrecoverable and volatile crude oil on the River. To achieve these goals, Save The River will support policies and programs that promote (and advocate against those that eliminate or weaken) clean water protections. Save The River’s mission has always been to restore, preserve and protect the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education and research. Lawrence is a healthy river that provides safe drinking water, is home to a thriving range of indigenous species and supports sustainable economic activity. The mission and vision of Save The River is premised on a simple core value that the River is a treasure to be shared by all who use and enjoy it and must be passed on undiminished for future generations to share. In 2004 Save The River was designated Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper and is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.

Were looking for our next dedicated Outreach Coordinator to help us expand our reach and engage the community! If you ha...
06/18/2026

Were looking for our next dedicated Outreach Coordinator to help us expand our reach and engage the community! If you have a passion for the River and the skills to help us make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

The full job description and application details can be found on our website at savetheriver.org/get-involved/work-with-us

06/17/2026

50 years later the River still remembers the fallout of the 1976 NEPCO Oil Spill. This is what lingering environmental damage actually looks like.

We’re sharing these stories leading up to the 50th anniversary on June 23 to honor our history and renew the community's commitment to protecting this magnificent River.

These clips are small portions of a short documentary produced by Emma Josephine French, view the full video through the link below 👇
https://youtu.be/yLoupUoCH98?is=VwOMzQVE7eOQp7Hm

The wait is finally over! Black Bass and Muskellunge season on the River has officially kicked off, and some anglers are...
06/16/2026

The wait is finally over! Black Bass and Muskellunge season on the River has officially kicked off, and some anglers are heading out to hook some legendary fish!

To celebrate, Save The River’s annual Catch & Release photo tournament is now underway for the summer. While we love the thrill of a catch, we love protecting the River’s incredible fishery even more. Catching and safely releasing these native predators ensures our fish populations remain healthy, strong, and thriving for generations to come.

So get out there hook a beautiful fish, and snap a high quality photo before safely releasing it back to the River. Then, head over to our website, upload your photo, log the catch, and enter to win some fantastic prizes! It is completely free to enter, a blast for anglers of all ages, and one of the best ways to show your dedication to a healthy River.

The Fight against invasive species takes a village (and a lot of great science) Join us at Kring Point State Park on Jun...
06/15/2026

The Fight against invasive species takes a village (and a lot of great science)

Join us at Kring Point State Park on June 17th from 11am until 2pm for a special Riverkeeper training focused entirely on understanding and controlling Eurasian Water Milfoil on the Upper St. Lawrence River.

We’ve gathered an amazing panel of experts to speak about this issue from every angle:
🗣️Dr. Jeff Kingsley speaking about the natural history and local challenges in Goose Bay.
🌱Dr. Stefanie Kring speaking about how nutrient levels affect milfoil growth and its impact on native species.
📐Dr. Diana White speaking on how using mathematical modeling can help discover the most effective control methods.

Become an active part of and learn the skills needed to monitor and protect our shorelines. This Riverkeeper is completely free to attend and will include an on the water portion for those who bring their kayak or canoe!

WE ARE HIRING! 🚨 Save The River is seeking a dynamic, Advocacy-minded professional to join our team as our new Outreach ...
06/15/2026

WE ARE HIRING! 🚨 Save The River is seeking a dynamic, Advocacy-minded professional to join our team as our new Outreach Coordinator.

The Outreach Coordinator plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to protect and preserve the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education, and research. This position is responsible for developing and executing our public outreach strategies, managing volunteer networks, and ensuring that our followers get the most accurate, up-to-date information about the River possible.

We are looking for someone with a passion for freshwater conservation, excellent public speaking skills, great writing skills, and the ability to connect with people of all ages from school groups exploring the River valley to long-time members and sponsors.

💼 Position Details & How to Apply:
If you are ready to turn your passion for the environment into a rewarding career, visit our website to read the full job description and submit your application: https://savetheriver.org/get-involved/work-with-us

06/14/2026

Job description in the summer of 1976: Must be able to walk, talk, and bend over to pick up oil.

Following the disastrous NEPCO 140 oil spill, an emergency response operation took over the region. A hiring center popped up on James Street recruiting a massive crew of local muskers to tackle the problem head on. It didn't take years of environmental training, just a love for the river and willingness to do some of the dirtiest work imaginable.

50 years later the River remembers the incredible community effort it took to clean over 85 miles of shoreline. The collective dedication to to protect these waters started with the people who refused to let a disaster destroy their homes.

This clip is a small part of a documentary created by Emma Josephine French. The full video can be found through the link below 👇
https://youtu.be/yLoupUoCH98?is=iXpxXdf-Zk1ajnGt

For this edition of St. Lawrence Saturday, we’re featuring Longue Vue Island!Did you know, In 1905, a wealthy New York C...
06/13/2026

For this edition of St. Lawrence Saturday, we’re featuring Longue Vue Island!

Did you know,
In 1905, a wealthy New York City lumber dealer named Hudson P. Rose wanted a summer retreat but couldn’t find a natural island that fit his liking. His solution was to purchase four natural shoals between Comfort Island and Point Vivian, build a stone retaining wall, and fill the middle with rock and soil to create his own 0.5-acre slice of paradise.

Originally named Rosette Island, it was renamed to Longue Vue in the late 1930s by industrialist Lewis D. Dollinger. The Dollinger family added 52 flagstaff holders along the retaining wall, flying international flags to salute ships as they passed.

After Lewis Dollinger passed away on the island in 1963, rumors of a haunting began. Many River legends claim that in the 1970’s, a portrait of Lewis hanging in the dining room came to life to deliver a warning for the family to leave the island.

If you have any stunning photos of the River or any little-known facts, send us a message!

06/12/2026

“Whoa, that is not good”

Those were the words of Steve Thomas on June 23, 1976, when they realized the NEPCO 140 Barge was actively emptying hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil into the St. Lawrence River.

This month marks 50 years since the NEPCO oil spill. It was a disaster that slicked the marshes, harmed wildlife including endangered species, and mobilized an entire region. We are sharing these clips to honor the history, the monumental cleanup efforts, and the lessons that still guide our advocacy work today.

These clips are pieces of a longer documentary created by Emma Josephine French. You can find the full video through the link below 👇

https://youtu.be/yLoupUoCH98?is=ybHeYoWD9ZWZ8c9Z

06/11/2026

Meet Maddie and Ralph, the future of the Upper St. Lawrence River. 💙

They love the River for many of the same reasons so many of us do, swimming in the water, fishing around the islands, watching sunsets from their favorite rock, and listening to the unique calls of the Common Tern.

But they are also noticing things that don’t belong. When Maddie finds trash in the water, she reminds is of one simple truth, “The only place I want to see garbage is in the trash because I don’t want to see it in the River… it’s bad for the fish”

The choices we make today directly shape the ecosystem the next generation will inherit. With rollbacks to vital water protections, the St. Lawrence is facing increased threats from runoff, sewage, and chemicals. This impacts more than just wildlife, it impacts our entire community, especially our children.

We need to protect the River today so they can enjoy it tomorrow. Your donation or membership does more than support a good cause, it helps ensure our next generation can enjoy this region in the same way we have all been fortune enough to.
Become a member through the link below 👇
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/savetheriver/campaign/SaveTheRiver8769
OR
Make a donation through the link below 👇
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/savetheriver/campaign/SaveTheRiverDonations@

06/09/2026

Anyone who loves the St. Lawrence knows that its beauty is matched only by its fragility.

Fifty years ago, that fragility was put to the test when the NEPCO 140 barge ran aground spilling hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil into the heart of the Upper St. Lawrence River. It was a tragedy that stained our shorelines, silenced our marshes, and broke the hearts of everyone who called the River home. But out of this dark chapter a beautiful legacy of protection was born. The devastation didn’t break our community, it united us, sparking the environmental consciousness of the River.

This is the first of a series of clips leading up to the 50th anniversary of NEPCO and reflecting on an event that changed the River forever, reminding us why we fight to protect it.

🎥Video Created by Emma French


Watch the full video through the link below 👇
https://youtu.be/yLoupUoCH98?si=mWj0B2N-U-Xx6Z2d

Address

409 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY
13624

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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+13156862010

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