Ohio River Foundation

Donate Today to Protect the Ohio River Watershed

Water is essential. It sustains and nourishes life. The quality of the water that we use every day to drink, grow our food, maintain our healthcare system, and keep our communities and businesses running smoothly is constantly under threat from pollution and habitat loss. Healthy ecosystems translate into healthy water. That is the focus of our work at Ohio River Foundation.

About Us

For more than 20 years, Ohio River Foundation has worked diligently to protect and improve the water quality and ecology of the Ohio River and its watershed. Our efforts have been instrumental in creating and restoring climate change-resilient habitats. 

The watershed is a source of drinking water, a place of recreation and commerce, and a wildlife habitat. Its health affects the quality of life of all 30 million people who live there. To protect the river is to protect the land, the water, and the air — the entire watershed. That’s what Ohio River Foundation works to do.

The Ohio River and the rivers, streams and wetlands that flow into it provide drinking water to millions of people, but pollution still persists from sewage contamination, emerging forever chemicals, toxic pollution, mine waste, inadequate water infrastructure, farm runoff, and invasive species. This pollution threatens public and ecosystem health. 

The Impact of Donor Support 

This year alone, we’ve inspired over 9,000 students this year to become future environmental stewards through our River Explorer and Mussels in the Classroom programs. Our School Access Fund ensures disadvantaged students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful STEM education and river conservation.

We’ve made significant strides in preserving habitats by removing thousands of invasive species and planting over 11,000 native trees along nine miles of riverbank. Additionally, we continue our advocacy for stronger regulations to combat toxic forever chemicals in drinking water. Looking ahead to 2025, we’ll push for federal legislation to create a comprehensive Ohio River Watershed restoration program.

We Have Big Plans for 2025

With threats to the watershed continuing to mount, we need to build on 2024 achievements. For 2025, we need your support to plant more than 15,000 trees, restore 20 miles of river, and expand our education programs to reach more than 10,000 students. Our restoration work including tree plantings and removal of invasive species will enable native species to flourish and reduce runoff pollution. Additionally, our work removing low-head dams improves water quality, restores natural river flows, and reconnects river habitats that benefit fish and wildlife. We will also increase our call for the establishment of a comprehensive Ohio River Watershed restoration plan with enforceable goals that will result in a  reduction in pollution of all waters in the watershed. 

We’re confident that with your support and commitment, we can improve and protect our watershed now and for future generations. Your support is critical to our growth and commitment to protect and restore the Ohio River Watershed and improve water quality for all.