In April of this year, more than 30 people gathered for 9 days on the banks of the South Fork American River for FOR’s 2025 Guide Activist Training—a program designed not just to teach river skills, but to build a powerful, connected community of river advocates…

On May 3rd, more than 50 years after its founding, Friends of the River returned to the Stanislaus to help community groups highlight current restoration work on the Lower Stanislaus and build support for expanding efforts to improve fish habitat and overall river health. 

This month’s Federal Watch tracks shifting tides in Congress, endangered species protections, and federal agency staffing—revealing how decisions in D.C. ripple across California’s rivers. From fish protections on the chopping block, to subsidies for deadbeat dams, dive into the latest threats and under-the-radar developments.

The breathtaking dismantling of the federal government continues. The federal government is in chaos. Staff are being pushed to resign. Whole program areas that had been authorized by Congress are quietly slipping under the waves or being rendered ineffective. The nation that we thought we lived in is disappearing without notice or the consent of its citizens. 

Just minutes from Nevada City, the South Fork Yuba between Edwards and Purdon Crossings is a hidden gem of granite gorges, crystal-clear water, and unforgettable river adventures. Whether you're paddling spring rapids or lounging on sun-warmed rocks in summer, it’s a place that always leaves a mark.

Barry Nelson gave a touching tribute in memory of David Nesmith “Chicken” during the California River Awards on April 25, 2025.