Clean rivers are much more than a great source of beauty and rejuvenation. Our local drinking water, food supply, and economy all depend on healthy rivers. For example, did you know that about 50% of the drinking water in the United States comes from rivers—but 40% of our rivers, lakes, and estuaries are unsuitable for such basic uses as fishing and swimming?

That's what inspired us here at Tom's of Maine to get involved. We’re in the middle of a $1 million push to protect our nation’s rivers, together with River Network and American Rivers, the two largest nonprofit rivers organizations in the United States. Last year alone, over 100,000 volunteers at events across the U.S. (sponsored by our partners and the grassroots organizations with whom they work) removed over 700 tons of trash from our nation’s rivers.

This year, our River Stories Video Contest invited you to tell your own stories about how you're working to help rivers in your communities. We're excited to announce the winner: congratulations to Michael Stewart of San Francisco, CA, and his video story "Lobos Creek—The Ansel Adams Connection." Learn more about what inspired Michael and watch his film!