Sometimes to Save a River, You Have to Buy It: An Evening with Sue Doroff and Tom Rosenbauer

Sue Doroff, President and Co-founder of the Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC), and Tom Rosenbauer, acclaimed author and host of the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast, will come together for a lively discussion on the intricacies of preserving our precious waterways. The event, which marks the culmination of WRC's "Exploring the Great Rivers of the West" series, is scheduled for November 15th, at the historic Presidio Officers’ Club in San Francisco.

The discussion is expected to be an exploration of WRC's motto, "Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it," and an opportunity to celebrate Sue Doroff's contributions to river conservation across the American West. The event will be held in front of a live audience and live-streamed on WRC's website, offering a nationwide viewership.

Sue Doroff, who co-founded WRC and has been at its helm for over a decade, is set to step down as President in 2024 after 35 years of acquiring and conserving river lands throughout the American West. Her perspective and approaches to land conservation make this evening a must-see for those passionate about preserving these natural treasures.

Tom Rosenbauer, an industry veteran with 44 years at the Orvis Company, is renowned for his influential books, articles, fly designs, and fly-fishing teachings that have left an indelible mark on enthusiasts worldwide. As the host of Orvis' Fly Fishing Guide Podcast, Rosenbauer has interviewed numerous experts in fly fishing, river conservation, and environmental sustainability, including Sue Doroff. He currently serves as Orvis' Chief Marketing Enthusiast.

“Tom is as passionate about conservation as he is about fly fishing, and I feel lucky to be able to talk rivers and WRC with him in front of a group of folks–in person and online–who care as deeply as I do about saving the great rivers of the West,” Doroff said in a press release.

The conversation between Doroff and Rosenbauer will delve into WRC's cutting-edge strategies for restoring water flow to benefit rivers, fish, and wildlife. They will also discuss the organization's approaches to conservation finance and highlight some of the projects WRC has undertaken. Notable projects include the creation of the 73-square-mile Blue Creek Salmon Sanctuary and Yurok Tribal Community Forest on the Klamath River, conservation efforts along Oregon's John Day River, and ongoing initiatives to return significant flows of cold water to Montana's Wise and Big Hole rivers.

This year's "Exploring the Great Rivers of the West" series was made possible thanks to generous support from Fishpond, onX, Sage, Redington, Rio Products, Fly Water Travel, NRS, Loon Outdoors, and Orvis.

Tickets for the in-person gathering are available for purchase, and online registration for the livestream is open to all. Tickets and registration can be accessed at www.westernrivers.org/exploring-the-great-rivers-of-the-west-3. Registrants will automatically be entered into a drawing to win prizes.