40th Anniversary

2021 was a special year as Sound Rivers celebrated 40 years of fighting for clean water — your water.

In the fall of 2021, we premiered “A Sound River,” our 40th-anniversary film exploring Sound Rivers’ history of activism, from its humble beginnings around kitchen tables to court battles against industrial polluters, as told by the voices of Sound Rivers — its founders and partners, those continuing the fight for clean water and environmental justice, and the Riverkeepers guarding the waterways that cover nearly a quarter of North Carolina. 

Rain Bennett, a Durham resident and Washington native, directed the film, drawing on Sound Rivers’ storytellers and experts to provide background and the science behind issues.

“Seeing and hearing some of the stories from the people who have been there from the beginning, it’s clear that certain things remain constant: there will always be industries and facilities and regulations and interests threatening our waterways, but there will also always be those who care deeply for the river and their community, ready to stand up to these challenges,” said former Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell.

Watch the trailer for Sound Rivers today!

If you’re interested in hosting a watch party or screening the event, email us at info@soundrivers.org and we’ll be happy to make it happen.