So, what exactly does a riverkeeper do? Sometimes spending up to 15 hours a day on the river, Tutman surveys for pollution, guides river trips, scans government files, responds to citizen complaints, organizes projects to improve water quality and awareness of its importance, referees disputes involving the river, and puts pressure on legislators to protect the river and its surrounding lands.  "We work for the underdog," Tutman says, "doing the work that government bodies aren't." 

He aims to create "constructive anger" around the loss of clean air and water and inspire people to act lawfully and civilly to create change. Tutman's ultimate goal is to help communities become connected to their environment and celebrate their own sense of place, wherever they may be.    On the September 10th show, Tutman was clear about the dangers of complacency regarding the environment. As he put it, "Privatization of natural resources is a big problem because then people with the most money will end up with the best environmental quality." 

Rather than an unjust world where people are marginalized and disconnected from their community, Fred Tutman envisions an engaged citizenry who "ask elected leaders tough questions and strive to be informed" and who raise the next generation to care about and fight for clean water, air and land.  He sees a "restored connectivity" in which people feel connected to the places they live and a compassionate environmental movement "that cares as much about communities and people as it does about fish and turtles."  Giving the  Thomas Jefferson quote an environmental spin, Tutman asserts that "the price of a clean environment is vigilance."     
How does this visionary leader stay energized for this big cause?  At times, Tutman simply sits on the banks of the river and allows its presence to renew his sense of purpose.  We invite you to hear the full-length version of Fred Tutman's powerful vision from the 9/17 episode of Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life.