Speaking for the Red River with River Keepers

Cutting between Minnesota and North Dakota, the Red River of the North provides communities with a way to connect with nature. The River Keepers of Fargo-Moorhead advocate for safe and sustainable use of the Red River, ensuring its continued enjoyment for years to come. I talked with Christine Holland, the Executive Director, about River Keepers’ commitment to protecting the Red River and its ecosystem.  

In 1990, the Fargo-Moorhead community determined that the Red River was underutilized, underappreciated, and mistreated. River Keepers helps to coordinate efforts, creating a better understanding of the river. This includes conversation, safety, recreation, and restoration of the Red River.  

“Community members decided that the Red River should connect the two communities, not divide them,” said Christine. “They then decided to create an organization that could speak for the river.” 

River Keepers Activities 

Learn, sustain, and enjoy are the three verbs Christine talks about when describing the role of River Keepers. Each activity fits among one or more of these verbs. 

• Advocating awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of the Red River 
• Promoting safe river usage 
• Encouraging development of recreation amenities in the river corridor 
• Educating resident on the river environment 
• Addressing safety concerns regarding the river corridor 
• Assisting in providing cultural opportunities at the river’s edge 
• Managing riverfront restoration projects 

River cleanups provide time for volunteers to pick up trash as a team are great for community building. Christine estimates that about 1,500 volunteers worked with River Keepers in 2023—providing the same amount of work hours as two full-time employees.  

Reforesting the Red Program involves planting trees and shrubs along the banks of the river. These plantings improve bank stability and water quality, provide habitat for the river wildlife, help improve air quality, and increase recreation opportunities. Check out the River Keepers website for even more examples of projects and activities.

River-Adjacent Programs 

Other programs river keepers facilitate include make-your-own-rain-barrel workshop, make-your-own-compost-tumbler workshop, and storm drain marking in Moorhead and Fargo. The organization also educates local students on the river’s importance, encouraging safe and continued use of the resource.

River Keepers also meets people where their interests are, including helping people to safely enjoy the river though fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddling.

Along with the City of Moorhead, River Keepers, and other partners helped to create The Red River Discovery Walk, a series of 17 interpretive signs along the river corridor trail, the walk allows visitors to learn about Moorhead’s history and natural wonders.  

Resilient Rivers 

The organization is committed to protecting the Red River and its ecosystem. Through organizing volunteers, educating the community, and facilitating climate-resilient programs, the organization promotes safe and sustainable use of the Red River. A wonderful example of environmental stewardship, River Keepers advocates for the Red River, continually sharing its resources and joy.  

“It’s been proven in other communities that people who use a resource and know about the resource, take better care of it,” shared Christine. “And River Keepers hope to continue to show the value of the Red River to the Fargo-Moorhead area”