Club Fostered Stewardship Grant Report 2018

Club Fostered Stewardship Grant Report

2018

Sponsored by

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Club Fostered Stewardship Program assists local, regional paddling organizations

Since 2002, the ACA has partnered with L.L. Bean to sponsor the Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program. The CFS Program provides funding to local and regional paddling clubs and organizations that undertake stewardship projects on waterways in their area. The purpose of the program is to encourage paddling clubs to take an active role in protecting and improving the nation’s waterways.

CFS grants are available for projects that utilize volunteers in efforts to protect, maintain or restore recreational waterways, provide for or improve public access, or enhance safe navigation. Eligible projects include cleaning up waterways, clearing in-stream safety hazards, maintaining access areas, erecting signs and controlling erosion, establishing and maintaining paddle trails, acquiring threatened access points, and providing sanitary facilities. Grant amounts range from $100 to $1,000.

Past projects receiving CFS grants have included: • Removing heavy debris and trash from rivers and bays in numerous locations throughout the U.S. • Improving access for local paddlers • Establishing water trails • Water quality monitoring • Environmentally sensitive woody debris removal • Riparian buffer restoration and improvement • Environmental education and outreach programs

The ACA is proud to be able to help local paddling clubs and organizations improve their waterways and make this world a better place to paddle! Through funds provided by L.L. Bean, the ACA’s CFS Program has provided nearly $150,000 to over 160 different stewardship initiatives since its inception. With the continued support of L.L. Bean, the ACA can continue to support paddling clubs and grassroots organizations around the country in their efforts to care for our waterways. For more information, please visit www.americancanoe.org/ LLBean_CFS_Grant. In 2018, the CFS Program funded 13 projects run by the following organizations:

• Florida Paddling Trails Association • Friends of the Chicago River • Friends of the Rappahannock • Illinois Paddling Council • Kayak New Mexico • Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds • Mobile Baykeeper • Northern Forest Canoe Trail • Paddlers for Conservation • Rivers for Change • The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment • Viking Canoe Club • We Love Clean Rivers

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 2 About the American Canoe Association

Founded in 1880, the ACA is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition, exploration and recreation. The ACA is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Olympic paddlesports of canoe slalomand canoe sprint and the Paralympic sport of Paracanoe.

The ACA believes it is our role to:

• Provide the general public with FUN paddlesport opportunities; • Make paddling education and instruction accessible; • Improve access to all paddling venues; • Expand paddlesport to people of all abilities and to the underserved; • Influence stewardship issues and public policy that affect paddlers and the paddling experience; • Promote paddlesports competition at the local, regional and national levels; • Create strategic alliances with clubs and other organizations that represent the outdoor experience in order to expand awareness and knowledge of paddlesport; • Communicate the benefits of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddleboarding as healthy lifetime recreation activities; and • The heart of the ACA is the people who paddle, cherish and protect the rivers, lakes, streams, bays and oceans of the United States and beyond.

The ACA has more than 30,000 members, and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organizations. The ACA provides sponsorship and insurance for over 4,000 events each year, including 200 races. The ACA education program has an estimated outreach of 800,000 people a year. ACA members reside in all 50 states and over 35 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.americancanoe.org.

Page 3 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Friends of the Chicago River

Friends of the Chicago River The event proved extremely success- encouraged a diverse group of vol- (Friends) improves and protects ful, with 2,586 individuals register- unteers to sign up. the Chicago River system for peo- ing to volunteer. Volunteers removed ple, plants and animals. The group several tons of litter from the river Volunteers enjoyed their experi- achieves this mission through edu- and river-edge lands during Chica- ence, with surveyed participants cation and outreach programs, pub- go River Day. This litter ranged from giving the day an average of “eight” lic policy and planning, and on-the- cigarette butts to a cash register. on a scale of one-to-ten, and 79 ground projects. Friends believes percent of respondents saying they bringing people out on the water to Chicago River Day involved signif- would participate again. The event form a connection with it is a pow- icant advance and day-of logistics, also expanded Friends’ audience, erful first step in building an ethic including assembling and distrib- since 57 percent of survey respon- of personal stewardship. Friends uting packages of gloves, shirts, dents said it was their first time vol- introduces thousands of people to and trash bags; and coordinating unteering with the organization. the Chicago River system through media coverage. Training for site canoeing, including individuals and captains was held April 14, 2018, Friends’ seasonal paddling program families as well as school, civic, and to share best practices for the event began a few weeks after Chicago corporate groups. and ensure volunteers had an en- River Day, and the program man- joyable experience. ager expects over 1,000 people to About the Project join Friends for a trip by the end of Friends held its 26th annual Chi- This Chicago River Day dramat- the season. A record 15 new canoe cago River Day on May 12, 2018. ically expanded past efforts to re- guides joined the program in 2018, This annual volunteer day has an move trash directly from the river, and Chicago River Day served as immediate impact and collectively with partners including REI, Wa- a great introduction for them to brings about long-term improve- teriders, and the Forest Preserves Friends’ broader mission, because ments in the health of the Chicago of Cook County joining mainstay it integrated multiple efforts. River. Spanning the river’s 156- partner Wendella Boats. Seven sites mile system with over 60 locations involved volunteers to choose from, people of all ages entering the river have multiple ways to get involved, in canoes and kay- including removing litter from the aks to remove trash river in canoes. In 2017, 2,000 vol- directly from the unteers contributed 7,000 hours of river. These sites service to watershed restoration. spanned the length of the river, ranging Growing interest in the river led or- from city neighbor- ganizers to expand the event from 57 hoods in the north sites across the watershed in 2017 to and south sides of 70 sites in 2018. Sites were located the city as well as throughout the City of Chicago into downtown. Having suburban Cook County. sites across the city

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 4 Friends of the Rappahannock

Friends of the Rappahannock The CFS grant funding was spent (FOR) is a 501(c)(3) not-for- on two brochures that FOR trans- profit organization, based in lated into Spanish and printed Fredericksburg, Virginia. Estab- locally. These materials were first lished in 1985, FOR focuses on distributed at the April 21 Earth advocacy, restoration and edu- Day event in Fredericksburg, cation efforts to foster environ- where volunteers also performed mental stewardship in the Rap- a riverside cleanup. The brochures pahannock River watershed. were featured again at the June 2 Rock the River event. FOR will About the Project continue to use these brochures at FOR has initiated Nuestro Rappa- all future FOR outreach events and hannock (Our Rappahannock), an river cleanups. outreach effort bringing messages about river safety and conservation Regarding the future of Nuestro concepts to the watershed’s growing Rappahannock, FOR representa- Spanish-speaking population. Riv- tives have made contact with Iglesia er safety issues encompass localized Pentecostal Cristo la Roca church information about drowning haz- in Falmouth and are planning a ards (i.e., tidal effects in the Freder- “day on the river” with their youth icksburg area), and the importance group. Organizers include college of wearing life jackets. Conserva- interns, Kelsey Bracewell from tion concepts include Leave No ACA, and staff from VOC. Trace principles and the Pack It In, Pack It Out ethic.

Page 5 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Florida Paddling Trails Association

TheFlorida Paddling Trails Associ- About the Project FPTA is collaborating with the ation is an all-volunteer nonprofit Toward the goal of protecting the Florida Master Naturalist Program organization comprised of a state- environments that paddlers en- to offer a three-hour curriculum in- wide community of paddlers, clubs, joy exploring throughout Flori- doors, followed by lunch, and then outfitters and other water trail sup- da, the FPTA has developed a a short paddle on a nearby water- porters with a common purpose Paddlers Environmental Toolkit way where paddlers are challenged of “connecting paddlers to water Training program. to put into practice what they’ve trails.” Their goal is to knit the pad- learned in the classroom. Paddling dle community together. PETT seeks to educate paddlers clubs across Florida are an audience about the environments they travel for the PETT program. FPTA can The FPTA was formed in October through, how to best interact with vary program content to include 2007 under the guidance of the De- wildlife and habitats, and empow- flora, fauna, and resource infor- partment of Environmental Protec- er them to serve as waterway stew- mation most relevant to each re- tion, Office of Greenways & Trails ards. The stewardship component gion of the state. This year, thanks to be the steward for all Florida’s includes information and resources to the CFS grant, FPTA will bring water trails, including the Circum- on how to lead cleanups, report cer- the PETT program to at least three navigational Saltwater Paddling tain environmental issues to appro- more paddling clubs across Florida Trail. The FPTA’s major missions: priate agencies, and be the “eyes and over the next year. ears” of Florida’s paddling trails. • Develop water trails • Protect the environment along the trails • A resource and voice for paddlers

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 6 Illinois Paddling Council

The Illinois Paddling Council, an TrailKeepers volunteers typically to conduct four river cleanups. The ACA Paddle America Club, strives organize, lead, and/or participate locations selected include: to promote all aspects of paddling in around 15-20 cleanup efforts per in Illinois. As part of its mission, year. The IPC and Water TrailKeep- • Upper Calumet River in Blue the council partners with the ers is strictly a volunteer-run orga- Island Openlands on the Illinois Water nization. • Des Plaines River Between Trailkeepers program. Lake and Cook Counties Several individual groups are work- • Fox River in Algonquin About the Project ing toward the same purpose: To • Sangamon River in Central Il- Much like the Adopt-a-Highway develop and promote water trails, linois (50+ miles of water trail program, through the trailkeepers paddlesport access, and steward- across multiple counties) program volunteers adopt a sec- ship of Illinois paddle-able wa- tion of water trails in the state and terways. The Illinois Paddling The council’s general approach monitor, maintain (clean up), ad- Council, along with its Water Trail- to cleanups to invite members of vocate, and report on conditions keepers program, is in a unique the paddling community to help on their reach of water trail. Water position to sponsor an event in clean the river from their canoes which like-minded organizations, and kayaks. Community groups, governmental agencies, and rec- youth groups, and members of the reational users gather to network, general public are invited to join in share lessons learned, develop best walking the shores of the river. The practices, and united, increase ef- four section sections of river were fectiveness in shared missions. selected to help build new community relationships and continue The council was awarded a CFS to grow existing relationships with grant to engage the local communi- partner organizations and the lo- ty, paddlers, and regular volunteers cal communities.

Page 7 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Kayak New Mexico

Kayak New Mexico Inc. is a vol- A wooden pallet, 16 tires, 2 metal The Army Corps of Engineers gra- unteer-run nonprofit that values drums, a metal handrail bar, and a ciously provided free use of their inclusive programming, develop- refrigerator were the largest items group campsite for the entire week- ing independence through broader collected. Plastics, aluminum, and end for all volunteers. Natural Re- community involvement, and help- glass were sorted and taken to a resources Specialist Trevor Wallin ing individuals with disabilities find cycling center (289 pounds). One of and Juan Sanchez piloted the U.S. purpose through mentorship and the metal drums collected will be Army Corps of Engineers Ranger community service. “recycled” by using it as a garbage boat and heaved all trash from vol- can at the group campsite. unteers onto the boat. Once filled, About the Project the boat was brought to the staging On July 21, 2018, Kayak New Mex- Broken Trail Brewery & Distillery area for sorting by more volunteers. ico teamed up with the U.S. Army of Albuquerque, New Mexico, do- Two trips were needed by Wallin Corps of Engineers and Albuquer- nated grain sacks from their brew- and Sanchez to carry all the trash que’s Boy Scout Troop 444 to clean ery for the collection of trash that back to the staging area. An Army up Cochiti Lake. Twenty-five vol- was not recyclable. The grain sacks Corps of Engineers front loader unteers (12 Boy scouts including are strong – far better than plas- was then used to take non-recycla- their leaders, 1 adaptive paddling tic bags – and the volunteers were ble trash from the staging area. participant, a mother and brother able to “recycle” something Broken of an adaptive paddling participant, Trail Brewery & Distillery no lon- 8 members of the New Mexico ger needed. paddling community, and 3 KNM board members) collected 1,291 pounds of trash.

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 8 Middle Grand River Organization of Watershed

The Middle Grand River Organi- icant dent in our ongoing goal of them with a platform to give back zation of Watershed (MGROW) is achieving a cleaner watershed.” to our wonderful natural resourc- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization es: to reverse the negative effects established in 2011 as an umbrella They went on to say that one way of mankind and demonstrate the group serving the people and orga- they accomplished their goal was by power of unity and love for our blue nizations within the Middle Grand providing volunteers with effective ways and green ways. River watershed. Its mission is to tools for the cleanups. With a por- protect and preserve the history tion of the funds provided through “Over 300 volunteers joined and the natural resources of the the CFS grant they purchased much MGROW through the season and Middle Grand River watershed by needed supplies, including Over 60 cleaned portions of the Red Cedar promoting education, conservation, three-foot trash grabbers, a large River and Grand River, as well as restoration, and wise use of water- supply of latex gloves, trash bags, many sections of the Lansing Riv- shed resources. trash containers, waist-high waders, er Trail and parks adjacent to the and 200 re-usable mesh river bags. rivers,” they said. “We had many About the Project organizations join us this year. MGROW oversees The Lansing The Lansing Earth Project also or- Some were local small businesses Earth Project, which works to build ganized over 15 different cleanup and nonprofit organizations. We paddlesport and watershed appre- operations in 2018. The areas af- also had churches organize clean- ciation through planned volun- fected focused on the populated up projects for their members for teer-based cleanups throughout the sections of Lansing and East Lan- community service days. In Oc- year in multiple locations within sing, Michigan. tober, the Lansing Earth Project the watershed and the Metro Lan- teamed up with the MSU Fish- sing area, including on the river, in “Most of the Middle Grand River eries and Wildlife program and nearby parks, and on nearby trails. Watershed is fairly clear of inor- the MSU Outdoors Club to clean ganic materials and trash because the Red Cedar through Michigan In their project report, MGROW of our efforts and your support this States Campus.” representatives Elissa Voigt and season. However, we have signif- Paul Brogan, stated, “Our goal in icant issues in the more dense ur- using the CFS grant was to build ban areas. It is difficult to measure paddlesport and watershed appre- the amount of trash collected. It is ciation through a series of planned estimated the Lansing Earth Proj- clean-up campaigns. We aimed to ect picked up somewhere between restore the watersheds to their nat- 2,000 and 3,000 gallons of trash. ural states by removing combating This does not include larger items pollution, reinstating the organic like bikes, TVs, traffic barrels, trash environment and making watershed cans, etc.,” they added. quality information and watershed conservation stewardship initiatives Voigt and Brogan added that a key available and accessible to the pub- goal of the project has been to en- lic. In particular, we made a signif- gage the community and provide

Page 9 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Mobile Baykeeper

Mobile Baykeeper formed in 1997 status. In September of 1999, Mo- litter that has accumulated along as West Bay Watch when a group of bile Bay Watch Inc. became affiliat- the creek banks. concerned citizens joined forces to ed with the international organiza- fight the construction of a chemical tion, Waterkeeper Alliance. Upon receiving the grant funds, facility at the Theodore Industrial the Baykeeper purchased two kay- Park, along Mobile Bay’s western About the Project aks, making the organization’s litter shore. As the group investigated As a part of a larger National Oce- and invasive species removal efforts the environmental implications of anic and Atmospheric Administra- and stream bank trash assessments these plants, it was discovered that tion Marine Debris Removal Grant, possible. Since adding the kayaks, for decades Mobile County’s eco- Mobile Baykeeper is restoring the the organization – with the sup- nomic leaders had focused their historically and ecologically im- port of 58 volunteers (232 volun- efforts on industrial recruiting. As portant One Mile Creek. One Mile teer hours) – has removed more a result, the pollution amounts led is a tributary of Three Mile Creek, than 300 pounds of litter from One the Environmental Defense Fund to which contains a high biodiversity Mile Creek. The team will contin- rank Mobile County second in the and potential for the community to ue to conduct litter cleanups on the nation for the presence of chemi- use again for recreation. It is locat- creek until the original goal of 8,000 cals known to be cancer hazards in ed adjacent to downtown Mobile pounds removed is reached (cur- the Toxics Release Inventory. and, therefore, receives a significant rently at 4,165 pounds). Addition- amount of urban litter from down- ally, the Baykeeper has been able to The volunteers expanded their town activities and festivities. conduct monthly trash assessments mission, and in 1998 changed the along the stream banks to look at organization’s name to Mobile Bay The Baykeeper’s goal is to remove the type of litter that is accumulat- Watch Inc. to express the reality 8,000 pounds of litter on One Mile ing so the organization can better that air and water quality issues af- Creek over a two-year period. To prevent these sources from entering fect the east and west sides of the accomplish this, the nonprofit or- the waterway. bay. The volunteers hired a full- ganization is hosting a series of wa- time director to serve the growing ter-based community cleanups that The kayaks supported the Baykeep- organization and then applied for utilize volunteers onboard canoes er’s efforts to remove an invasive and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit and kayaks to actively remove the species, the Apple Snail, from Three Mile Creek. At the organization’s most recent Apple Snail Roundup event, 170 volunteers removed 1,776 snails from the creek. The goal is to continue to provide volunteers the opportunity to remove Apple Snails from the creek through do- it-yourself roundups.

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 10 Northern Forest Canoe Trail

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail Falls. Flooding and ice scouring cal anchors, and designed to works to protect and steward its during the winter of 2018 de- be removable during the win- water trail and foster community stroyed previous infrastructure. ter to avoid ice damage. vitality to promote inspiring out- New infrastructure consists of door experiences in the Northern six-cribbed timber steps con- • Errol Rapids Access (Andro- Forest Region. Completed in 2006, structed from 6x8 cedar, ar- scoggin River NH): In late the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a mored with rip-rap rock and July, NFCT stewardship vol- 740-mile water trail from Old Forge, backfilled with gravel. This is a unteers and community volun- New York, to Fort Kent, Maine. more flood resilient design than teers installed a set of 12 timber the prior steps and will ensure cribbed access step at an access The trail follows traditional travel safe and continued access for above the Errol Rapids on the routes used by Native American, years to come. This project was Androscoggin River. The new settlers and guides. It is the longest completed as a training project steps provide access to one of inland water trail in the nation and for NFCT stewardship interns. the most popular Class II-III consists of 23 rivers and streams, 59 whitewater reaches in New En- lakes and ponds, 45 communities, • Brownway Campsite (Mis- gland. The project also involved and 65 portages (70-plus miles). sisquoi River, VT) – Volun- regrading a parking area to re- teers under the supervision duce stormwater runoff. ACA/ About the Project of NFCT staff improved ac- LL Bean contributions were This summer the nonprofit organi- cess to this paddler campsite used as match for a grant com- zation completed a series of three by building and installing an mitted from the state Recre- paddler access improvement proj- eight-step cedar staircase. The ational Trails Program. ects on the Northern Forest Ca- stairs are anchored with heli- noe Trail, including flood resilient access stairs at the Enosburg Falls Carry and the Brownway Camp- site on the Missisquoi River (VT) and the Errol Rapids access on the Androscoggin River (NH). Funds from the CFS grant went toward material costs (rough-cut cedar lumber, hardware, rebar, stone gravel, signage) for the three projects, as well as trucking expenses and permit fees.

• Lawyers Landing Access (Mis- sisquoi River, VT): NFCT re- placed access stairs at the Law- yers Landing Access in Enosburg

Page 11 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant

Paddlers for Conservation- Kayak and Canoe Club

The Paddlers for Conserva- P4C partnered with numerous local P4C also supported the 2018 Lakes tion-Kayak and Canoe Club P4C organizations, individuals, schools, Festival and helped coordinate the is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volun- and other nonprofit groups to foster Kayak for Kids event, providing teer-based organization dedicated awareness of local natural resources an opportunity for kids, many of to promoting paddling, education and promoted conservation efforts whom had never been in a kayak or and conservation. Their mission is to clean up the Tippecanoe River, canoe, a chance to experience it for to restore and enhance the Tippe- including several of its tributaries. the first time. canoe River and Kosciusko County lakes and streams through hands- “Mother Nature played a major role In addition, the organization con- on environmental stewardship in in our group’s accomplishments in ducted cleanups on Walnut Creek order to preserve rivers, lakes and 2018, as we were forced to cancel and Cherry Creek assisting other streams for the future. The organi- two river cleanup days due to more community groups in their efforts zation aims to bring the communi- than 25” of rain in May through to improve water quality in the ty together through various clean- early September,” said P4C Pad- Tippecanoe Watershed. P4C’s ef- up projects and organizing family dlers for Conservation Vice Pres- forts in the past three years have fun float trips which will foster a ident Scott E. Fetters. “Despite the encouraged others to conduct their healthier environment and instill above-average rainfall in 2018, own riverine projects and we have positive friendships amongst our we completed four river cleanups been there to provide equipment members and community. from June to mid-September to- and manpower to continue in our taling 21.5 hours, 89 volunteers, community’s efforts to promote About the Project and 1,913.50 volunteer hours. We water quality, improved access, and P4C had another successful year in removed 69 log jams, 10 tires, 15 quality paddling experiences for northeast Indiana and was able to bags of trash, and numerous items our residents. put CFS grant funds to good use in including; a storm door, a plastic promoting conservation and educa- chair, numerous kids toys, and a tion efforts in the Tippecanoe River broken fishing pole,” Fetters added. Watershed.

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 12

Rivers for Change

Rivers for Change is an all-volun- the 2017-18 school year, the 2017 The 2018 Truckee River StS project teer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza- student ambassador team gave pre- then culminated in a six-day ex- tion comprised of passionate river sentations to their peers at their ploration of the Truckee River wa- enthusiasts dedicated to changing respective schools, sharing their tershed with a 14-member student the way people think about and experience and knowledge gained ambassador team, representing six interact with water. Through ad- from exploring the Truckee River middle schools. Four members of venture, conservation and edu- watershed the previous summer. A this year’s team were returnees from cation, Rivers for Change works total of 1,100 students were reached last year and performed as mentors to connect individuals and com- at seven middle schools throughout to the 10 new student ambassadors. munities to rivers and promote the watershed. Student ambassador mentors not source to sea literacy. They en- only helped with camp logistics but vision a world where people and During the spring of 2018, Rivers also functioned as additional safety communities are active stewards for Change coordinated three on- boaters during the journey. of river systems with a holistic shore learning events with three understanding of their intercon- schools. Approximately 115 stu- The journey began in the upper nectedness and interdependence. dents participated in these events, watershed June 1-3, including the which included hands-on learn- Upper Truckee River on the South About the Project ing exercises and/or presentations Shore of Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, The 2018 Truckee River Source to related to water-based recreation and the Truckee River near Truck- Sea Educational Paddling Adven- safety, stream channel restoration, ee, CA. During the second week- ture constituted the second year water supply allocations and water end, June 8-10, the team explored of a unique adventure-based wa- use management, and water quality. the lower watershed from Reno, tershed education program. Over NV to the inland sea terminus of Pyramid Lake. During the six days of exploration the team utilized a wide variety of recreational water craft, including kayaks, paddle cats, outriggers canoes, stand-up paddle boards, whitewater rafts, surf-skis, and prone paddle boards. During each day of exploration, the team met with a variety of partners to learn about ecological values and conservation efforts affecting the river, within the context of the entire watershed. The students also participated in hands-on stewardship activities, including a beach cleanup and a river cleanup, during the journey.

Page 13 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

The Meadows Center for Water and tion to safe paddling skills, education The grant funds helped with the the Environment is an educational about native and non-native invasive purchase of life jackets and paddles. and research center at Texas State species at the lake, and a stewardship The center had sparse equipment University committed to sustain- initiative involving the joy of kayak- that was worn, and the newer gear able water solutions. The center ing on the clear spring waters. worked great and helped everyone is the entrusted steward of Spring get on the lake in a proper and safe Lake, an environmentally sensi- The center organized three sep- manner. tive spring-fed lake that is home arate events engaging volunteer to eight federally endangered or youth from the Texas State Uni- “We are excited about the results threatened species. The lake is part versity community and the Austin of the program and have had an of Texas State University in San Youth River Watch. All three pro- overwhelming response to contin- Marcos, Texas. grams were fantastic as participants ue our efforts. With the equipment learned about paddling and the and curriculum in place we should Over 120,000 visitors come to the lake and then kayaked into areas be able to do just that. Interestingly, lake annually for environmental that were heavily inundated with numerous volunteers commented education, research and recreation. invasive vegetation. Volunteers how peaceful it was combining kay- The lake must be maintained and were able to learn about the inva- aking and gardening (weeding) so cared for, and several invasive spe- sive vegetation and remove it from to speak! It really was an all-around cies have made home in the lake – the lake – stacking it in their kayaks effective blend of instruction, ad- compromising the habitat for native as they paddled. Wildlife sightings venture and stewardship,” said re- species, some of which are threat- abounded as did conversation and searcher Rob Dussler. ened or endangered. Among these community. In total, the events re- invasive species, Water Lettuce and moved 420 pounds of invasive veg- Water Hyacinth grow at a rapid rate etation from the lake. and need to be managed not only for habitat integrity but also to keep the waterways clear for educational programs. The lake remains a con- stant 72 degrees throughout the year, allowing aquatic vegetation to grow unabated year-round.

About the Project One of the objectives of the education program at Spring Lake is to fuse environmental education with recreation. The ACA Club Fostered Stewardship Grant was a perfect fit to have volunteers come together in an effort that included an introduc-

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 14 Viking Canoe Club

The Viking Canoe Club’s purpose Often called the “Niagara of the nized their efforts with the Indiana is to promote and encourage the South,” Cumberland Falls has at- Department of Natural Resources recreational navigation of wild and tracted the attention of countless and collected enough trash to fill a scenic rivers by canoe, kayak and people since prehistoric times. The 30-yard dumpster. other self-powered craft; promote falls draw thousands of visitors each conservation of wild and scenic year, and the 11-mile paddle below Another cleanup took place at the rivers by practicing conservation the falls is a favorite of the club. put-in below Cumberland Falls. as a club, by cooperating with local However, over the last few years The logistics of the cleanup proved and national conservation organi- increasing amounts of river trash to be challenging because it re- zations, and by communicating the have been collecting in the eddies quired hiking down to the base of club’s concerns to governmental au- below the falls. the falls, collecting the trash from thorities and to the public; develop rock- and tree-filled debris fields, paddling skills through instruction, About the Project and then navigating the trash back training and participation in canoe- In 2018, the club organized, adver- up the sets of stairs to then remove ing and kayak events, and promote tised and participated in two clean- it from the park. Because of these appreciation for the beauty of our ups. The first cleanup took place challenging logistics, the cleanup wild and scenic river resources and March 17 at the Falls of The Ohio required several partners, so the for the recreational value of wil- State Park, located in Clarksville, Viking Club partnered with SUP derness cruising, camping , canoe Indiana, directly across from Louis- Kentucky, Sheltowee Trace Outfit- racing and whitewater sports. Each ville, Kentucky. Twelve participants ters, the Kentucky Environmental year our 100 active paid member with the VCC assisted with collec- Foundation, local county officials club performs several river clean- tion around the shoreline of the and Cumberland Falls State Park. ups in Kentucky. Interpreter Center. The club orga-

Page 15 www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant

We Love Clean Rivers Inc.

We Love Clean Rivers Inc. is a 501 About the Project marks the 16th anniversary of the (c)(3) nonprofit organization ded- For the last 15 years, We Love DRCU. This year’s event will take icated to cleaning high-use rivers Clean Rivers has been promoting place September 9. by mobilizing the river recreation the restoration of rivers through community in partnership with lo- recreation. The organization’s flag- In the past two years, the Down cal environmental, recreation and ship event is the annual Down the River Clean Up has extended educational organizations. the River Cleanup hosted on the its cleanup to include an additional Sunday after Labor Day following 10 miles of river to encompass the By coordinating with kayakers, the high summer use. The annual entire lower Clackamas River from rafters, anglers, scuba divers and Down the River Clean Up is an on- Milo McIver State Park in Estaca- tubers to clean up waterways, We the-river, 20+ mile cleanup made da, Oregon, to the confluence of the Love Clean Rivers broadens en- possible by a rich network of river Clackamas and Willamette River gagement with river restoration recreationalists, outdoor compa- in Oregon City, Oregon. This riv- activities, increases the recreation nies, environmental organizations, er cleanup covers 25 miles of river community’s understanding of government entities, and local and activates over 350 volunteers threats to watershed health and community leaders. in this one-day event. Paddlers and provides unique opportunities anglers join the effort in non-mo- (drizzled with fun) for the commu- Over the last 15 years, WLCR has torized rafts, dories, SUPs, kayaks, nity to give back to the incredible facilitated the removal of more than and canoes to remove non-woody resources we use year-round. 75,000 pounds of trash from the debris from the waterway. Clackamas River and has supported the development of other river For more information, please visit cleanups on the Sandy and Willa- www.welovecleanrivers.org/clacka- mette rivers, both in Oregon. 2018 mas-down-the-river-clean-up-sep/.

www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant Page 16 The ACA thanks L.L. Bean for its many years of support for the Club-Fostered Stewardship Program. Working together, we have made the world a better place to paddle, and a better place to live.