What we do
Ottawa Riverkeeper is leading the effort to protect one of Canada’s most important freshwater treasures: the Ottawa River and its vast network of tributaries.
Whether you paddle, sail, swim, fish, walk the shoreline or are one of the two million people who rely on the Ottawa River for drinking water, the river is there for you. Our mission is simple: keep the Ottawa River swimmable, drinkable and fishable.
For nearly 25 years, Ottawa Riverkeeper has been the only organization working across the entire watershed to protect the mighty Kichi Sibi. As part of the global Waterkeeper Alliance, we stand with communities around the world in the fight for freshwater protection.
We deliver tangible, measurable results:
- Restoring shorelines and ecosystems: In 2024, more than 800 volunteers joined 13 cleanups, removing over 1,600 kilograms of trash.
- Inspiring the next generation: Our River School connects thousands of children to the river each year through hands-on learning about river health and protection.
- Science: We monitor 14 key indicators of watershed health and released the first-ever Ottawa River Watershed Report Card in 2024
— a major milestone for the river’s future. - Defending biodiversity: We protect critical species such as the endangered American eel and local turtles that are vital to a thriving watershed.
- Fostering stewardship: At the NCC River House, thousands of visitors explore interactive, museum-quality exhibits that spark lifelong connections to the river.
How you can help
Donate: Your gift powers programs in three core areas: education, science and action.
Volunteer: From shoreline cleanups to our annual gala, water quality sampling and more, volunteers power our mission to protect the Ottawa River.
Learn: At our public education space at the NCC River House, you can discover the river’s ecology, biodiversity and health.
Take action: Report pollution and invasive species, join a cleanup, reduce your use of road salt and follow Ottawa Riverkeeper to stay informed about petitions and policy change.
This article first appeared in the 2025 Giving Guide produced by the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below.
To learn more about this charity, please visit the latest issue of the Giving Guide:
