Walton Family Donates Millions To River Restoration

The Walton Family Foundation has announced a plan to give out $35 million to help protect the Colorado and Mississippi Rivers. $20 million of that will go to restoration of the Colorado River, part of which originates in the Upper Green River Basin of Wyoming.

The foundation's Colorado River director Ted Kowalski said organizations like Trout Unlimited, American Rivers and the Nature Conservancy will be able to receive grants for projects to help save the river.

The lower stretch of the Colorado is considered the most endangered river in the U.S. because many states use more water than they’ve been allocated, leaving little for river species to thrive in.

Kowalski said one way upper basin states like Wyoming can help is by improving how they manage irrigation.

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