OZOlife - your daily guide to smarter living

OZOlife and Deep Green Living have selected Riverkeeper as their donation partner because of their dedication to our waterways

Riverkeeper's mission is to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard New York City's and Westchester County's drinking water supply. Since 1983, Riverkeeper has investigated and brought to justice more than 300 environmental lawbreakers.

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.

Riverkeeper serves a diverse population, from urban dwellers residing in New York City to local fishermen and working class families who live and work in the rural Hudson Valley. With every passing day, the public's concern only increases for rigorous protection of the drinking water supply, for power plant safety, and for preservation of their local environment. Because of Riverkeeper's widespread reputation for taking on polluters, whether large or small, we are increasingly deluged with requests for their services.

Polluters rely on two things: first, that mounting a legal challenge to their activities will cost far more than most individuals can afford; and second, that it often takes a long time to win a case against a polluter. Riverkeeper has shown its ability to overcome both of these obstacles. We have become expert in building strong alliances with key partners and broad-based coalitions that greatly improve our likelihood of success. When we enter a case, Riverkeeper assembles a team of experts in law, engineering, biology, hydrology, economics and energy policy. Combining fund raising to cover expenses, use of pro-bono services and keeping overhead to a minimum, Riverkeeper has proven to be the David who successfully topples many a polluting Goliath.