May Membership Drive
Diana Daniels • May 17, 2023
Catawba Riverkeeper is hosting a membership drive!
Help us reach our goal of 100 new or returning members in the month of May!
Why should I become a member?
- Members financially support our work to protect water quality. About 40% of our funding comes from individuals and families – people like you. When combined, membership contributions fund water quality monitoring, advocacy efforts, education programs, cleanups, and community science. Without these membership contributions, Catawba Riverkeeper couldn’t continue to be your independent watchdog for our waterways.
- Members give Catawba Riverkeeper legal standing. When we can show that Catawba Riverkeeper represents residents of the basin, we can effectively advocate for legal protections.
How You Can Help
- Join now if you aren’t already a member*.
- Renew your membership.
- Give a gift membership.
- Ask a friend or neighbor to become a member.
What Members Get
- Discounts on kayak rentals, guided tours, etc.
- 10% off merchandise in our online store. Rep your favorite nonprofit with sustainably manufactured apparel.
- Voting rights at our Annual Meeting. Our Board of Directors is elected by our members. You get to choose who serves as leaders of Catawba Riverkeeper.
- Invitations to exclusive, member-only events and priority registration at limited-capacity events. You’ll be the first to know about special events.
- A copy of our print newsletter, mailed to your home. Read about the progress we’re making towards a healthier river because of our members.
- Membership at The River Room and Confluence.
(When you join or renew, your official thank you letter will include a discount code for merchandise and certain kayak rentals/tours.)
Why Now?
May kicks off our busy season. Swim Guide launches this month. Interns will be arriving soon. We’re also opening our recreation season and expanding our retail programs. RiverFest is just around the corner. We need new and returning members to help us continue to educate, engage, and protect through our busiest time of year.
All new and returning members in the month of May will be entered to win a River Adventure package! The package includes Catawba Riverkeeper swag, a private paddle for 8 people, and a $50 gift card good at any of our retail locations (The River Room, The Boathouse, Confluence).
*Not sure if your membership is current? Email diana@catawbariverkeeper.org to find out.
We're excited to announce that we are relocating Catawba Riverkeeper's headquarters to Confluence South Fork, our community center taproom in downtown Cramerton , NC . Th is move follows four years of operating out of The River Room in McAdenville and reflects an organizational transition focused on aligning our facilities with Catawba Riverkeeper's mission and long-term sustainability . “Our two taprooms have served as creative and welcoming spaces for engaging the community and inviting more people into the work of protecting our local waterways,” said Wendy Cauthen, Retail Manager. “We are grateful for all the opportunities we’ve had to connect with people over a beer brewed with water from the Catawba-Wateree River basin while enjoying a view of McAdenville Lake at The River Room. While we’ll miss that space, we’re excited to be just a few minutes down the road at Confluence, where we can more fully integrate our mission into a single, dynamic community hub.” Confluence, known affectionately as a “taproom with a purpose,” reminds all visitors who step through the door that “good beer needs good water.” Visitors are greeted by the phrase prominently displayed next to a striking mural by local artist Heidi Nisbett, which illustrates both the beauty and geography of the Catawba–Wateree River basin. “With staff now working on-site at Confluence, we can more intentionally connect the art, music, and recreation people already love with mission-driven programming that highlights education and conversation surrounding water conservation,” said Executive Director Dr. Mo Drinkard. “Our mission has always been to preserve, protect, and restore the waters that millions of Carolinians depend on every day. This move allows us to streamline our efforts, deepen public engagement, and continue serving as a trusted, science-based voice for the river.” We are deeply grateful for our time at The River Room and for the support of the Town of McAdenville, Pharr Corporation, and the surrounding community. Now headquartered just minutes away in Cramerton, we look forward to continuing these and other partnerships across the entire 5,610-square-mile Catawba–Wateree River basin. We invite longtime supporters, Confluence regulars, and new visitors alike to stop by and say hello to staff following our February move.
Reflecting on a year of growth and impact.
Catawba Riverkeeper is pleased to announce that Dr. Mo Drinkard has been hired as their new Executive Director. A standout among over 100 applicants, Mo was offered the position by the Catawba Riverkeeper Board of Directors search committee on Thursday, November 20th, and she assumed her role as leader of the organization on Monday, December 1st, 2025. Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones, who participated on the search committee, shared that “Mo’s education, experience, and passion are directly aligned with the organization’s mission and needs. We are excited for her perspective and leadership in continuing the critical work of protecting our waters.” Mo is a mission-driven non-profit leader, professor, and scholar with a passion for building strong organizations, nurturing future leaders, and tackling big challenges in conservation, equity, and education. With over 20 years of experience spanning academia (Kent State University, Brevard College, Miami University), community partnerships, and environmental science, she's worn many hats: executive director, grant writer, program architect, DEIB strategist, faculty and student mentor, and not often enough, field biologist in muddy boots. Mo's work lives at the intersection of applied research and social change. She specializes in transforming great ideas into funded, functional, and impactful programs, whether that’s designing experiential learning curricula, guiding strategic organizational turnarounds, or helping community-based groups access the resources they need to thrive. From leading national workforce development initiatives to restoring urban watersheds (Doan Brook Watershed Partnership) and mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists, Mo brings an entrepreneurial spirit and deep subject matter expertise in biology, ecology, sustainability, and inclusion. Mo believes that science is for everyone, and that real change happens when we build spaces where all voices can lead. “I am honored and excited to offer leadership for the next chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s work. I believe deeply in the mission and am fully invested in the health and future of this watershed. I look forward to getting to work supporting the waterways, communities, and people that make up this expansive and impactful basin,” Dr. Drinkard said. Catawba Riverkeeper, currently one of the ten largest riverkeeper organizations in the United States, boasts over 8,000 members across the 26 counties of North and South Carolina where the waters of the Catawba flow. As the fifth Executive Director of the organization, Mo will bring new and innovative ways to advance the work of her predecessors and the mission of the organization in this new chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s leadership. Mo will be supported by 11 full-time staff and 22 volunteer board members to preserve, protect, and restore the Catawba River so that it sustains plentiful, clean water for generations to come.
