The Spokane Riverkeeper was formed in 2009 by a small group of lawyers fed up with polluters abusing the Spokane River. Our work stopped millions of gallons of raw sewage from entering the river each year and created a pioneering effort to keep toxic pollution out of the river. As a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance movement, Riverkeeper’s first priority is to defend the river against pollution and hold polluters accountable. Spokane Riverkeeper has become a vigilant guardian and advocate for the Spokane River and its watershed, working to protect the river’s ecological health, its aesthetic integrity, and the public uses of the river for future generations. The Spokane River is such a cherished asset to all citizens of this community that its equitable use is a matter of justice.

Jerry grew up exploring the lakes, rivers, and forests around Cheney, and traveled each spring to the Willamette River in Oregon to fish for Chinook salmon with his grandfather. Jerry has a long history of working to protect rivers in the Inland Northwest as a former staff member of Save our Wild Salmon, former conservation chair and current volunteer advisory board member for the Spokane Falls Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and current board member of Inland Northwest Nature Connection. He loves to spend time on the Spokane River fly fishing for trout, rowing his drift boat, shooting one of his longbows, or backcountry skiing on the very snow that feeds our river. Jerry lives with his wife, two sons, and dog within earshot of the Spokane River.