Originally shared on LinkedIn.
The Spokane River has always been central to life in our region, connecting people, communities, and generations. Today, as we reckon with the impacts of past decisions and work toward a healthier future, the River continues to bring us together in shared purpose.
Spokane Riverkeeper’s litter pickup program regularly garners well earned visibility and goodwill from the Spokane community. The impact our organization makes is measurable, often with immediate, tangible results, easily seen with dramatic before and after photos. In fact, in 2025, Spokane Riverkeeper led 126 unique litter pickup events, removing more than 50,000 pounds of trash from in and around the River. We do this on foot, by boat, and with thousands of dedicated volunteers every year. We are fortunate to have the respect and support from a wide swath of stakeholders and partners representing an interesting cross-section of the community including businesses, schools, non-profit and faith-based organizations.
Last spring, I had the pleasure of participating in a private litter pickup organized by Vickerman Investment Advisors (VIA), a Spokane-based wealth management firm. The event was one of their quarterly Community Impact Days, when the entire VIA team comes together to give back.
From protecting our watershed through trash cleanup to supporting families and children in crisis, VIA partners with a variety of deserving, community-focused organizations. Their commitment extends far beyond financial contributions. Time and again, their team rolls up their sleeves to volunteer alongside
us, joining local cleanups and hands-on efforts to care for the Spokane River and our shared community spaces.
Their involvement is consistent, genuine, and deeply rooted in a commitment to this community.
At Vickerman Investment Advisors, stewardship of water resources runs deep. Owners, Mike and Michele Vickerman have long cared about protecting the beauty of our wild and sacred spaces that are found uniquely in the natural world. Mike’s understanding of the hydrological interdependence between the Spokane River and our aquifer, started at a young age, as both his father and grandfather worked for the City in the water department. In fact, Mike’s grandfather gave educational presentations in the community and schools during the height of the Kaiser Aluminum pollution controversy. This informed understanding of how our interconnected water systems function has shaped their long-standing appreciation for the Spokane River and aquifer. At the end of the day, we all depend on abundant, clean water.
Beyond their commitment to our local community, what truly sets Vickerman Investment Advisors apart is the way they invest in and build relationships with their clients. Providing peace of mind that your investments, your future, is in good hands, is no easy feat and it can take years to build that trust with your clients. During our time together, we discussed the epochal importance of building and maintaining trust, operating with empathy, and how quickly earned trust can erode. This prompted me to share a recent experience of how I chose to end a long-term relationship with an advisor because I realized that ultimately, I/my account was just another number to him and their organization. During this difficult
time, I needed authenticity coupled with proactive and supportive counsel, but my advisor let me down. The historical pretense of caring about my assets, my family, and business was glaringly apparent. He missed the opportunity to reaffirm my trust in our partnership, provide strategic recommendations for my changing circumstances, and ultimately lost an unsolicited advocate. This culture of care is evident in how their team engages with our organization and others serving the community. They foster an environment where employees are supported in both their professional growth and their desire to give back. They are not only capital stewards but people stewards,creating workplaces where psychological safety and intellectual rigor coexist.
We are deeply grateful for partners like Vickerman Investment Advisors, whose leadership, generosity, and hands-on involvement strengthen our mission and demonstrate that meaningful change happens when we focus on what unites us. The Spokane River does exactly that.
We all want clean, abundant water, now and for generations to come. Access to safe, healthy water is fundamental. Protecting and conserving this precious resource isn’t a partisan issue; water is essential to all of us. We’re thankful that VIA shares that vision and stands with us in caring for the river that connects us all.