Our Story

 Big Blackfoot Riverkeeper is a licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance,  the fastest growing grassroots environmental movement in North America,  now with nearly 190 programs worldwide. Waterkeeper Alliance is an  international water advocacy organization that fights for everyone’s  right to clean water. 

 The Big Blackfoot  Riverkeeper (BBRK) is dedicated to  the protection and preservation of one of the most beautiful rivers in America -- western Montana's Big Blackfoot River.
 

Jerry O'Connell founded the Big Blackfoot Riverkeeper and is currently  our executive director.

 The  Big Blackfoot, immortalized in A River Runs Through It, is classic Montana water. Clear, cold, and unimpeded by  dams for its entire 132 mile length, the river winds through three  canyons, past red rock cliffs and mountains, and alongside  wildflower-laden meadows and prairies. 

 We are focused on two key areas -- recreational management and environmental oversight. 

  advocacy

ad·vo·ca·cy (ad'-vuh-kuh-see)  n.
  The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause,
    idea, or policy; active support.
 

And that's exactly what we're doing.  

 Blackfoot River Trail -- BBRK is was a key driver to establish this trail, one of only two in Montana.  We worked with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to create the Big Blackfoot River Trail,  a series of reservation-only campsites dedicated to float-in camping.   These have no vehicle access, and require recreationists to  practice complete pack in/pack out, zero impact campcraft.