Voices

Hear about the San Joaquin River from the people who know it best. The farmers, activists, and community members who live along the San Joaquin River and have worked to bring this mighty river back. Their stories made us reflect, laugh, and wonder at the wisdom and connection that we form with truly great rivers.

These are the Voices of the San Joaquin River . . .

Steve Thao

Steve Thao, Trout Unlimited’s San Joaquin Outreach Coordinator

“This is one of the most powerful rivers on the West Coast. This river is a lifeline. . . . We should be really proud that we have such a natural monument right in our backyard.”

Caitlin Jetter

Caitlin Jetter, Watershed Stewards Program

“Education on knowing your local watershed is important … it strengthens the community to really know the soil you’re on.”

“The salmon are resilient and keep going so it gives me hope to keep going learning and loving the San Joaquin”

Dave Koehler

Dave Koehler, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust’s Executive Director

“We all need to be engaged to keep the river healthy so the river in turn will keep us healthy . . . there is an old adage that says, ‘you can’t save it until you see it’, and so the act of providing an opportunity for people to see the river builds stewards for tomorrow.”

Eric Caine

Eric Caine, Stanislaus Audubon Society

“The Aleutian Goose has gone from 600 birds to over 100,000 birds and part of that [recovery] is their winter habitat. . . . Almost every single remaining Aleutian goose wintered at one time on Mapes Ranch on the San Joaquin River.” This is a true success story, with the Aleutian Goose removed from the endangered species list because of conservation work in their northern nesting grounds and protection of their wintering habitat near the San Joaquin River.

Cameron Coronado

Cameron Coronado, Watershed Stewards Program

“I see so many cool things on the river. Rivers and bodies of water are so majestic. They have been here for so long and provide us with so much.”

Glenn Anderson

Glenn Anderson, Almond Farmer

Glenn grew up fishing the confluence of the Merced River and the San Joaquin River. He would regularly watch the flooding and low water level changes to see when fishing conditions were right. Using a boat that his father built in a family friend’s cabin at the confluence, Glenn caught a 7½lb bass at age six which helped build his love and connection with our San Joaquin Valley Rivers.