MISSION STATEMENT
NRF protects, restores and preserves the Neuse River basin through education, advocacy and enforcement, in order to provide clean water for drinking, recreation and enjoyment to the communities that it serves.
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is to be the leading resource and advocate for the entire Neuse River Basin and to develop innovative programs which will foster and sustain education, stewardship and watershed management initiatives and practices. We also envision:
A Neuse River that is noted for its clean water which supports healthy fish, wildlife and native plants and is safe for swimming, fishing and recreation.
A greater public participation and understanding of all major river and land use issues in the watershed.
Groups of volunteers and an expanded membership base ready to actively support and celebrate the river on a continuing basis
Parts of the Neuse River classified as Scenic Waterways to better promote tourism.
Communities, businesses and individuals throughout the Basin who recognize its waterways as valuable but vulnerable resources for drinking water, improved tourism and recreation.
State and local officials and agencies that care about the river, understand its threats and who are prepared to enact and enforce regulations and legislation to restore and protect the river.
Recognition of the NRF as one of the most successful Riverkeeper programs in the country due to the organization, planning and implementation of its key initiatives.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
We believe that protecting and enhancing water resources throughout the Neuse River basin is the responsibility of everyone in our watershed and requires the coordinated involvement and effort of individuals, businesses, organizations, agencies and government, and that the NRF should lead this coordination. To this end, we submit the following core values of the Neuse River Foundation.
We are dedicated to the protection of the Neuse River and its basin for our children and the aquatic life that depends on these waterways; we will not allow their long term health to be compromised.
We expect our staff and board members to be dedicated and knowledgeable about all aspects of the river.
We will strive to develop an active and meaningful grassroots program to oversee and protect the river.
We will solicit opinions and listen carefully to the views of river users and beneficiaries in order to help clarify concerns and issues and seek to find acceptable solutions to difficult challenges facing the river.
We believe that education and outreach programs combined with vigilance, prompt action and enforcement are keys to the protection of the river.
We will undertake to provide the public with current and reliable information on river and basin related issues.
We will work closely with stakeholders, businesses, local communities and other organizations to educate the public and decision makers on watershed values, conditions, threats and solutions.
We will continually advocate local and state agencies for their stricter enforcement of existing laws affecting the river and, when necessary, will initiate litigation to gain enforcement of both federal and state environmental laws.
We understand that fresh water is a finite resource and will champion the concept of water quality and the wise use of this limited resource to the public and its decision makers.
We believe that government officials and elected representatives must be held accountable for their actions and decisions as they relate to the Neuse River and its watershed which includes all waterways and lands which drain into it.
We believe the way we use our land determines the condition of our water resources
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