Friends of the River is California's only statewide river conservation organization. FOR is nationally recognized as an authority on the adverse impacts of dams on rivers and ecosystems. Our Mission: Friends of the River protects and restores California Rivers by influencing public policy and inspiring citizen action. Our History: Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, the group grew to become California's statewide river conservation organization. Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds; as well as advocating for sustainable water management. Today, Friends of the River is nationally recognized as an authority on the adverse impacts of dams on rivers and ecosystems and is the most effective grassroots organization working on behalf of rivers. Friends of the River led successful campaigns for the permanent protection of many outstanding California rivers and streams - including the Kings, Kern, Merced, Tuolumne, upper Klamath, West Walker, East Carson, Sisquoc, and Big Sur Rivers; as well as Sespe Creek and Cache Creek. Friends of the River protects and restores California rivers by influencing public policy and inspiring citizen action...we are the voice for the rivers of California.