The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation advocates for and secures protection and enhancement of the Catawba River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed so that it will always sustain the human and wildlife populations that depend on it for life.

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation ("CRF") was formed in 1997. It is an award winning 501(c)(3) non-profit operating in the fourteen counties of the Catawba River watershed, flowing through North and South Carolina. The Catawba Riverkeeper Program is the only environmental organization to receive three Best of Charlotte Awards for “Best Effort to Improve the Environment” in 1999, 2000 and 2004. Other awards include the the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission’s Blue Fin Award for 2003, the Lake James Task Force Award for Outstanding and Distinguished Service in 2004, and the 2005 J. H. “Mac” McSwain Community Service Award for exemplary community service to the Lake Wateree Community.

CRF seeks to maintain its independence by remaining a member supported non-profit organization with administrative headquarters in Charlotte, NC. CRF is not a government agency. We train and lead five locally based Covekeeper Programs on Lake Hickory, Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie and Lake Wateree. Our Lake Norman Covekeepers manage an Island Keeper Program that has removed trash from Lake Norman's 42 islands since 2002. We also have trained volunteers through our Covewatcher, Streamwatcher, Waterwatcher and Muddy Water Watch programs. In addition, we operate a youth kayaking program and lead periodic family paddling trips, We are licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc.