The 2026 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence will be presented to Amy Bowers Cordalis.
Advocate for the Klamath River and Indigenous People
Amy Bowers Cordalis
For the Yurok Tribe and other Indigenous tribes along the Klamath River, salmon fishing was a way of life for centuries, but after four large dams blocked the free-flowing Klamath, the ecology of the river changed, and the salmon were not returning.
Among the Yurok Tribe, there was a saying: “If the salmon go away, so will the Yurok people,” and with this in mind, Amy Bowers Cordalis helped to launch the Indigenous-led movement to undam the Klamath. In 2024 the removal of the final dam on the Klamath marked a historic victory — for Indigenous people and the river. The removal of all four dams along the Klamath River was the largest dam removal project in the world’s history. Months after the removal of the dams, salmon returned to the Upper Klamath for the first time in over 100 years.
Amy Bowers Cordalis is a Yurok tribal member, attorney, environmental advocate, fisherwoman, author, and cultural practitioner committed to restoring Indigenous rights and sovereignty and advancing environmental justice. She is the cofounder and executive director of the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group.
Through her recent book, The Water Remembers, Cordalis highlights the Indigenous values and lessons from the Klamath, showcasing nature-based solutions that heal the land, waters, and people while benefiting the economy. Her goal is to restore the river as a living relative, ensuring its health for generations. The Klamath’s renewal is not just history — it’s a path forward for all. The fight for the Klamath did not end with the removal of the final dam. Today, the restoration continues through the tribes that live there and the surrounding community. Native seeds are being planted along the banks, the return of the native fish populations are being carefully monitored, and the renewal of the ecosystem remains at the forefront.
About Amy Bowers Cordalis
Cordalis resides in Southern Oregon where she spends time with her family — fishing, being outdoors, and exploring. Through Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, she works to advance tribal sovereignty, water rights, fisheries, and the restoration of the Klamath River.
Cordalis was the recipient of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth Laureate. In 2024 she was named in the Time100 Climate List of influential leaders. She has received awards for her work from the Equator Initiative, Conscious Media, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and Rachel’s Network. She has spoken at a variety of venues, including the TED Conference, the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, and the PEN World Voices Festival. Through her advocacy and outreach, Cordalis works to restore harmony with the natural world.
