We Are Cahaba River Coalition

CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY AND CAHABA RIVERKEEPER MERGE TO STRENGTHEN WATERSHED PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION FOR COMMUNITIES, WILDLIFE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS

Two Longstanding Local Nonprofits Unite as One Organization – Cahaba River Coalition – to Safeguard the River’s Health and Benefits for All Who Depend on It

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Sept. 9, 2025 — Two longstanding local nonprofits – Cahaba River Society and Cahaba Riverkeeper – have merged to form Cahaba River Coalition, a unified organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Cahaba River and its watershed. The new organization will leverage science, conservation and community engagement to monitor river health, share trusted information with the public and encourage sustainable development in partnership with local leaders.

The Cahaba River, recognized globally for the biodiversity it supports, faces mounting threats from development, pollution and extreme weather. As a unified organization, Cahaba River Coalition will strengthen programs and enhance responsiveness to pollution reports and citizen concerns, while advancing water protection, river recreation, and community education to better serve all five counties in the watershed.

 “This merger is a positive step for the Cahaba River and for our river protection movement as a whole. Collaboration is the most effective way to protect our rivers and water resources,” said Cindy Lowry, executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance. “Together, they will be able to accomplish their mission of protecting and defending the Cahaba River and its watershed even better than they can individually.

Building on their legacies, the two organizations bring decades of community impact to the new Cahaba River Coalition. Cahaba River Society has long connected communities to the river through recreation, education, and stewardship programs. Cahaba Riverkeeper has worked to defend the ecological integrity of the river and enforce the Clean Water Act, as part of the global Waterkeeper Alliance. Together, the unified organization will honor this legacy with a stronger platform to engage communities and expand their program to inspire a growing movement of advocates for a thriving, healthy and biodiverse river.

Deborah Barker, interim executive director of Cahaba River Society, and David Butler, executive director and Riverkeeper of Cahaba Riverkeeper, will lead the new organization together until a permanent leader is named early next year.

“By bringing together the incredible work of both organizations, we will expand our reach to protect the rich biodiversity of the Cahaba. Merging our strengths in data, relationship-building, and education opens new opportunities to deepen our impact across the entire watershed. Cahaba River Coalition will broaden both the protection we provide and further inspire people to be stronger stewards of this extraordinary river,” said Barker.

“The Cahaba River is a world-renowned biological treasure and invaluable to our state, the communities it supports and visitors from around the world. We are excited to combine our expertise to inspire future generations to honor the river we all love with collaborative solutions in the face of inevitable change,” said Butler.

About Cahaba River Coalition:
Cahaba River Coalition is the voice of the Cahaba River, a community-powered nonprofit uniting the expertise and legacy of Cahaba River Society and Cahaba Riverkeeper. Guided by science and empowered by community, we preserve and protect the integrity of the Cahaba River and its watershed. Together with partners, policymakers, and residents, we are building a thriving, healthy, and biodiverse river for generations to come.

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Media Contact:
Emma Wilson
Communications Manager
emmaw@cahabarivercoalition.org
(205) 322-5326 x1415 (office) / (251) 401-7035 (cell)