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Indigenous Youth Spearhead Klamath River's Remarkable Comeback
25 Oct
Summary
- Klamath River rebounds after removal of 4 dams in largest US project
- Indigenous youth complete first river descent in over 100 years
- Restoration inspires Indigenous-led movements to protect rivers globally
In a remarkable environmental comeback, the Klamath River has been reborn just one year after the removal of four major dams - the largest dam removal project in US history. At the forefront of this transformation are Indigenous youth, who last year completed the first full descent of the river in over a century.
Flanked by fellow tribal representatives, 18-year-old Ruby Williams and her team of young paddlers made history as they reached the Pacific Ocean, marking a new era for the once-imperiled river. The Klamath's recovery has been swift, with threatened salmon species returning to their historic spawning grounds and ecosystems rapidly reviving.
Beyond the river's borders, the Klamath's restoration has ignited a global movement, as Indigenous communities from Brazil to China seek to replicate this success story. The youth-led expedition has forged connections between river advocates worldwide, who are now petitioning the UN to stop recognizing dams as clean energy. As the Klamath continues to heal, a new generation of stewards is emerging, determined to protect this vital waterway and inspire change across the globe.
