Our Methods

Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard the drinking water of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents.

Riverkeeper focuses on three overarching problems facing Hudson River communities:

• Restoration of the Hudson River ecosystem, with particular emphasis on minimizing fish kills and water pollution;
• Protection of New York City’s drinking water supply; and
• Improving public access to the Hudson River.

Enforcement & Litigation

Riverkeeper has successfully challenged the illegal activities of some of the largest and most notorious polluters, including: Exxon-Mobil, General Electric, Consolidated Edison, Metropolitan Transit Authority, the City of New York, and the New York State Department of Transportation. Learn More

Patrol Boat



In any given season the Riverkeeper Patrol Boat logs approximately 5,600 nautical miles patrolling from New York Harbor downstate to Troy upstate.
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Policy & Legislation

As the Hudson Valley's chief law enforcer, Riverkeeper works to strengthen the laws and regulations that protect New York’s water and waterways. Learn More

Outreach & Education

Riverkeeper knows that protecting and restoring our waterways takes the effort of every citizen, which is why we use print, electronic media, and even our current traveling photo exhibit to teach the public about our work. Learn More