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2025 Russian River

A River Adventure to Clean and Protect the Watershed

About

Ambassadors Will Hubert and Billy Uhlhorn-Thornton partnered with Rivers for Change to embark on a Russian River expedition. This 60-mile paddle journey began at Coyote Dam below Lake Mendocino to Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg, designed to raise awareness and advocate for the health of the Russian River watershed.

This effort began January 20, 2025 and their journey will continue through the remainder of the year. Their next push will begin May 2, 2025.

The inspiration behind this mission is to merge storytelling, recreation, and advocacy to highlight the pressing issues facing the Russian River and to inspire collective care for its future.

Paddling for a Cleaner River

The journey aims to spotlight critical environmental issues facing the Russian River, including habitat degradation from gravel mining, declining Coho Salmon populations, and pollution buildup. Beyond environmental advocacy, the project also seeks to build community connection and honor the cultural legacy of the watershed, particularly the ties between tribal health and the health of the river.

By navigating the river’s upper and middle sections during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the paddlers hoped to deepen the public’s relationship to the watershed while amplifying conservation efforts and opportunities for action.

The final stretch of their first segment ended with a meaningful river clean-up on MLK Day, hosted by Russian Riverkeeper.

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Source to Sea Paddlers

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Will Hubert

Ambassador

Will Hubert is a lifelong river steward, passionate outdoor educator, and advocate for equitable access to nature. Growing up in San Rafael, California, Will spent his childhood exploring Marin County’s open spaces and developed a deep appreciation for the conservation efforts that preserved critical habitats along the Marin and Sonoma coasts. His home watersheds, Tomales Bay and the Russian River, are vital for Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout, fueling his commitment to protecting these ecosystems.

Will’s love for rivers began with a 2006 whitewater kayaking trip on the Stanislaus River, sparking an 18-year career in outdoor education and youth development. In 2020, he earned a master’s degree in Recreation from San Francisco State University, researching barriers to outdoor access and the systemic inequities that limit participation. Now pursuing licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Sonoma State University, Will is dedicated to creating community-based healing adventures in nature that break down barriers to mental healthcare and outdoor spaces.

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Billy Uhlhorn-Thornton

Ambassador

Growing up on the Russian River, Billy has developed an appreciation for the natural beauty and importance of this ecosystem. Along with his mentor and friend, Will, Billy is excited to be working on a Source to Sea project, with the goal of raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts along the river. When he's not exploring the river, you can find him climbing and exploring the great outdoors.

Trip Summary

Route: Coyote Dam to Healdsburg

Date: January 18–20, 2025

River Class: I–III with numerous strainers, log jams, and portages

Flow: ~350 CFS @ Frog Woman Rock

Trip Summary

Day 1

The trip began with an early start and multiple portages—tree obstructions, a low-head dam, and heavy wood accumulation in the river. The paddlers encountered significant trash and debris, especially in the upper stretches.

Day 2

After a long portage out of camp, the paddlers navigated smoother waters with some fun whitewater leading into Frog Woman Rock. After scouting, they decided to portage the larger drops and eventually called the day early due to safety concerns. All gear was carried out by evening.

Day 3

The final day involved cleaning up gear and participating in the Russian Riverkeeper MLK Day River Clean-Up at Veterans Memorial Beach. The event offered a chance to connect with local advocates and continue the expedition’s mission of community engagement and watershed restoration.

Additional Resources

Russian Riverkeeper