Reflection on the Rivers

Hello friends,

As many of us in this community strap on our festival shoes to dance along the Animas River at Unison Festival in New Mexico this weekend, I’ve been reflecting on how deeply river ecology shapes my life’s work.

Growing up in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, I spent my childhood wandering around Mill and Cottonwood creeks, hiking in the Virgin River in Zion, and rafting on the Snake and Salmon Rivers. More recently, I’ve fallen in love with river kayaking—paddling the Colorado and the Arkansas. The Arkansas holds special meaning for me: it is the same river that my maternal and paternal ancestors depended on in the Great Plains.

Rivers are critical to all ecosystems. They carry water from the mountains, dispersing minerals, seeds, and nutrients to sustain life. While studying field botany at herb school, I realized that river health is not just about our own survival—it’s about the survival of food, medicines, and biodiversity everywhere. And the deeper I connected with rivers, the more my heart broke at the truth: these life-giving waters are under constant threat.

Mining waste, oil spills, industrial agriculture runoff, fracking, dams, AI data centers, and diminishing snowpack all contaminate and deplete rivers.

Here are 5 truths about rivers worth carrying with us:

1. Rivers support rich life in tiny spaces. Freshwater ecosystems cover less than 1% of Earth's surface yet are home to at least 10% of all species. WWF

2. Freshwater biodiversity is collapsing faster than in land or sea. Freshwater vertebrate populations are declining at twice the rate of those on land or in oceans. International Rivers Oxford Academic

3. Wetlands are disappearing rapidly. Globally, wetlands are vanishing at three times the rate of forests. Oxford Academic

4. Freshwater species are under imminent threat. Nearly 24% of animals living in rivers, lakes, and wetlands face the risk of extinction due to factors like pollution and climate change. AP News

5. Rainforest rivers enhance global health. These waterways transport nutrients and sustain wetlands and estuaries, which are critical for ecosystems and human food systems. MAHB

The Amazon River, spanning ~6,400 km, is the largest river on Earth by volume—discharging more water than the next seven largest rivers combined. In Ecuador, the Napo River flows from the Andes before joining the Amazon near Iquitos, Peru.

In 2022, I journeyed to the Quichua community of Petrona Isla, Río Napo, Peru. I swam in these waters, surrounded by jungle in every direction, and wept, mourning contamination from oil and gold mining, and grieving for the communities of plants, humans, and animals that rely on this river for life.

That time along the Río Napo directly inspired our Kambô Collection, and our first impact campaign with Ecomunidad Nativa Kambo Family. When Maestro Jhonny Javá—father, healer, husband, wisdom keeper—passed away, our hearts broke with Uli and their 13 children, and with the wider community that depended on his medicine to survive life along a contaminated river.

So far, together we’ve raised almost $4,000 of our $5,000 goal, and reconstruction at their healing center and guest rooms has officially begun.

Our work doesn’t stop here. We will continue supporting Jhonny’s family and community long-term while also exploring other ways to protect rivers, the people, and Earth Medicines who rely on their vitality.

Thank you for being part of this story.

Flowing with the waters of life,

Founder, Earth Medicine Apparel Co.

September Pop-Ups:

• Longmont Artwalk on Main Longmont | Sat September 13th | 4 - 8 pm

• Colorado Artisan Market, It’s Fall Y’all Denver | Sat Sept 20th & Sun 21st 10:30 am - 5:30 pm