As RMCC members, we have opportunities to combine our paddling passion with service projects. The following are three specific projects/events that we have identified and some general ideas as well. If you are interested in any of them, please let me know (Kathryn at gvmutz@gmail.com) and I will follow-up with you with additional planning. If you have other ideas, please let me know and we can investigate the options and see who else might be interested.
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers – https://www.wlrv.org/
WRV is “a nonprofit organization that provides an opportunity for people to come together, learn about their natural environment, and take direct action to restore and care for the land.” WRV is the recipient of the RMCC 2019 Otter Award. They are currently discussing their 2020 restoration projects and how RMCC members might be involved as regular WRV volunteers, for a special role in a standard project, or for a special RMCC project – depending on our level of interest.
Team River Runner — https://www.teamriverrunner.org/get-involved/chapters/colorado-ft-carsoncolorado-springs/
Their mission is “To provide all veterans and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports!” In lay terms: They “put butts in boats.”
- The Ft. Carson/Colorado Springs chapter contacted RMCC regarding partnering with them in some way (e.g., to help with pool paddling sessions, with invitations to join our flat water or river trips, with planning other events to include their members, etc.)
- There are other chapters (Denver, Ft. Collins, Grand Junction, Montrose) that might be interested in a partnership if RMCC members are interested, but not willing to travel down to Colorado Springs.
Poudre RiverFest 2020 – http://www.poudreriverfest.org/
May 30, 2020, Noon to 6pm, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins
Poudre RiverFest “is a free, family-friendly festival in Fort Collins, Colorado, that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. The festival features hands-on activities for children and adults to explore the role of the river as an important habitat for wildlife, a lively recreation area, and a source for clean drinking water.”
If someone(s) in RMCC are interested, we could simply attend the festivities or we could have an exhibit space at the fest to support the Poudre and promote canoeing and the RMCC. A 10’ x 10’ exhibit space is $75.
Other Service Activities identified at the Permit Party:
- River Clean ups
- Citizen scientist opportunities (training provided by host organization)