River Keepers

Help conserve Rochester’s most important natural resource!

Mission
The Gandhi River Keepers is a program that teaches citizens to see how the river is not a dump but a magnifcent ecosytem, one that deserves our respect and protection. Picking up debris that has gone untouched for long periods of time allows one to see how even small efforts can improve the environment. Furthermore, by observing how all lifeforms are ultimately connected, it becomes easier to see how our habits impact the sustainability of other species.

Background
The Gandhi River Keepers program began in 2009 as an effort to raise ecological awareness on the University of Rochester campus. The River Keepers collect trash that ordinarily goes unseen by people walking along the banks of the Genesee River. Besides beautifying the natural landscape, the River Keepers learn about ways to connect environmental conservation with the core principles of nonviolence.

Get Involved!

I liked the River Keepers event because it brought to my attention how simple acts by individuals such as throwing candy wraps, plastic soda bottles, cigarette remains and plastic bags at the river bank could accumulate into amounts that endanger both the beauty and the life in the river. – Lendsey Achudi (Gandhi Fellow)

Want to sign up for a Gandhi River Keepers event? Contact us at 585-703-9230.