Mission
To protect and preserve the Texas Colorado River by promoting conservation and awareness through community involvement
Vision
A clean, abundant, accessible and healthy Colorado River for generations to come
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY AND GOALS
The Colorado River Foundation, based in Austin, Texas, is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the conservation and protection of the Texas Colorado River. The Colorado River Foundation has been increasing community awareness of the Colorado River’s environmental and economic importance since 1994. We provide, conduct and support environmental science and outdoor education programs for youth, river cleanups, and other river-centered projects that bring awareness to the Colorado River.
Colorado River Foundation:
- Boosts stewardship of the Colorado River through hands-on learning and recreation programs for youth reaching over 5,000 children each year;
- Partners with the community to remove an average of 5 tons of trash from the river each year;
- Promotes public awareness of the important role the Colorado River plays in Texas through programs like our annual Family Clean Water Festival and River Ramble Canoe and Kayak Race, engaging over 1,000 central Texas each year;
- Encourages balance between the economy and the environment, between wise use and overuse, and between upstream and downstream communities.
The Foundation’s goals are to 1)educate youth, with a focus on at-risk and underserved youth, about the environmental importance of the Colorado River; 2) host specific programs to clean up the river; and 3) help citizens of all ages and from all economic backgrounds understand, protect, use and enjoy the natural resources of Texas.
Staff
Erin O’Neil Franz – Executive Director
Melissa Miller – Development Associate
Sarah Richards – Program Coordinator
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President: John Lay, Austin
Vice-President: Emily Seiders, Austin
Secretary: Keith Jackson, Austin
Treasurer: Jim DeCosmo, Austin
Past President: Bill McLean, Austin
Directors
Pamela Akins, Austin
Steve Baker, Austin
Joseph Beal, Bastrop
Kyndel Bennett, Austin
Judy Bray, Austin
Wes Brockhoeft, Austin
Steve Butler, Austin
John Dickerson, III, Bay City
Arthur Milberger, Bay City
Charles Moser, Brenham
Robert Neblett, Austin
Peter Pincoffs, Austin
Lynn Sherman, Austin
Click here to learn more about the CRF Board of Directors.
Colorado River Foundation Endowment Board of Directors
Pat Robertson – President
Jim DeCosmo – Vice President
Ray Wilkerson – Secretary
John C. Dickerson, III – Treasurer
Charles Teeple – Past President
