About the Friends
Who we are & where we are going
Mission
The Friends of the White River exists to protect, preserve, and promote our vital resource for communities in Central Indiana by connecting people to the White River.
Vision
Friends of the White River advocate for a clean, healthy river ecosystem. We secure the necessary resources to educate, inform, and collaborate with the community including individuals, educators, government, business and other organizations. Our goal is to sustain the long-term viability of the White River for future generations.
Core Values
- We believe it is our duty to share a vision of a clean, healthy river ecosystem.
- We believe in providing opportunities for access & education through direct, hands-on experiences and responsible oversight of sponsored programs.
- We believe in stewardship through careful management of resources, direct leadership of cleanup events, and participation in strategic advocacy initiatives.
- We believe in fostering sustainability.
Strategic Growth
Friends of the White River’s three programs work towards at least one of these objectives:
- Enhancement of equitable public access for paddling, fishing, and boating
- Improvement water quality and restoring native habitat
- Prevention of illegal dumping
- Promotion of river safety and recreation
- Protection of the White River’s watershed
Friends of the White River supports out three programs by improving four Support functions: Administration, Digital Marketing, Fundraising, and Personnel.
- Ensure regular removal of solid waste to prevent pollution and safeguard the health of aquatic ecosystems.
- Address illegal dumping along the riverbanks to stop long-term environmental damage and maintain a healthy, thriving waterway.
- Increase community participation in cleanup efforts to foster a shared responsibility for protecting and preserving the White River.
- Provide safe, fun, and engaging on-the-water educational experiences that enhance personal connections to the White River and the natural world.
- Engage the Friends of the White River membership with rewarding training, leadership, and ongoing volunteer opportunities.
- Reduce soil erosion and sediment pollution by providing technical planning assistance, cost estimates, and volunteer crews to remove invasive plant species along the White River and tributary streams.
- Restore stream banks zones along River School routes to educate participants about the differences in active management versus passive management.
- Create agreements with landowners to ensure restored streambanks are maintained in perpetuity.
Commitment to Diversity
Friends of the White River is committed to providing an equal opportunity for employment to individuals regardless of age, race, color, creed, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.
Public Policy Stands
Friends of the White River sometimes takes a public stand on an appropriate public matter, per this policy enacted by its Board of Directors.
Privacy Policy
Friends of the White River are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.
We may use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, unless necessary to fulfill your request.
Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about activities, events, or other news related to our organization or the White River. You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time.