Waterkeeper Alliance (WKA) is the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, empowering local Waterkeepers to patrol rivers, lakes and coastal waterways across 6 continents. As a founding supporters of Waterkeeper Alliance, Louis Bacon and The Moore Charitable Foundation have helped Waterkeeper Alliance grow from 35 organizations in 1999 to over 250 today. With continued support, WKA plans to reach 500 Waterkeepers by 2018.
Pure Farms, Pure Waters
Through our affiliate The Orton Foundation, we are helping Waterkeeper Alliance lead a strategic campaign to address the destructive industrial meat processing industry and implement regulatory change across North Carolina, in order to protect the environment, public, and family farmers. WKA supports food production systems that protect water quality and are responsible for waste management solutions.
Hog manure lagoon in North Carolina. The toxic liquid in these cesspools is sprayed onto neighboring properties.
The “Pure Farms, Pure Waters” campaign addresses the failure to regulate pollution from industrialized swine, poultry and dairy facilities that is devastating rivers, lakes and estuaries, while educating the public and decision makers about the impacts of and alternatives to industrialized livestock operations, supporting communities and local farmers, and advocating for sustainable food systems.
Waterkeepers and EWG have created a series of interactive map to visualize and interpret the state’s swine, poultry and cattle operations by zooming in on selected areas. CLICK ON MAP TO EXPERIENCE.
Working closely with eight local Riverkeepers and other partners, Waterkeeper Alliance is implementing an unprecedented statewide effort to regulate pollution from the swine, poultry and dairy facilities, which are devastating rivers, lakes and estuaries across the state. This multifaceted strategy includes:
- Targeted investigations and enforcement actions against North Carolina concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
- Administrative challenges to state and federal regulatory schemes that are supportive to CAFOs
- Strategic partnerships and coordinated advocacy efforts with other statewide and national organizations
- Media and outreach campaigns to attract public attention to pollution issues
We are committed to driving change for the people and the environment of North Carolina. Learn more about Waterkeeper Alliance here.