Your Riverkeeper

Jerry O'Connell founded the Big Blackfoot Riverkeeper and is currently our executive director.  He first viewed the Blackfoot in 1986 while hitchhiking through Montana.  It was love at first sight, and that moment planted the seed that eventually resulted in his moving from New England to the Blackfoot valley in 1992.  

The love affair continues today.  Jerry has been involved in a variety of projects to protect the Big Blackfoot.   He served on the River Recreation Advisory for Tomorrow (RRAFT) committee which, in conjunction with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, developed new recreation guidelines for the Blackfoot.  He is a past board member and current member of The Big Blackfoot Chapter Trout Unlimited which has restored over 700 miles of Blackfoot tributaries.   

Jerry lives on the Blackfoot River in Greenough with his wife Deborah, a couple horses and two very cute dogs.