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Friends of the Petaluma River

Friends of the Petaluma River is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to celebrating and conserving the Petaluma River, its wetlands, and wildlife.

Our mission is to promote stewardship of the Petaluma River.
We work throughout its watershed; providing access opportunities, educational materials, and conservation programs. We also provide a voice for the River’s inhabitants and resources in public affairs.

Our Goals

• To establish a permanent presence in the watershed; becoming the first non-government organization to work fulltime for the betterment of the Petaluma River. and its inhabitants.
• To pursue outreach and educational activities that will foster enthusiasm and commitment in the watershed for long term sustainable stewardship.
• To monitor conditions and engage in activities that will reduce or prevent pollution and lessen other harmful impacts on the River and its wetlands.
• To create a River Heritage Center as a community resource. A place to archive information, host events, administer programs, and coordinate river related activities.


David Yearsley - Executive Director

David launched the Petaluma Riverkeeper program, sponsored by San Francisco Baykeeper, in 1998. In conjunction with his Riverkeeper work he was founding chairman of Petaluma Wetlands Alliance from 2001-03; which successfully promoted constructed wetlands as part of Petaluma’s new waste water treatment & recycling facility. In 2004-05 he led Friends of Tolay Lake Park in a successful grassroots campaign for the acquisition of Tolay Lake Regional Park, preserving a pristine 1,800 acre valley adjacent to Petaluma River for public use and appreciation forever. David left Baykeeper in 2004 to found Friends of the Petaluma River.

David is known as a leader throughout the watershed. He conducts activities and works with other organizations to promote stewardship of the River, its wetlands, and tributaries including; the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, the North Bay Watershed Council, the Petaluma River Authority, S.F. Baykeeper, and the So. Sonoma County Resource Conservation District.