We are pleased to recognize Edgar Peck as the Volunteer of the Month for February, 2016.  Edgar is a fixture on the classic Watauga River near Boone, North Carolina, so it was only natural that he discovered an opportunity to establish public access at the river's put-in. 

Edgar then developed key partnerships with the landowner, local government representatives, a land trust, and funders to purchase a tract of land at the put in and develop a management plan. It was a team effort that Edgar facilitated, and all who donated and worked on this project played vital roles. Last month the land was purchased, and in the coming years it will be developed into an excellent permanent public access site managed by the County.  

American Whitewater owns and manages the take-out for the Watauga with the help of the local paddling community.  The put-in however has long been a dynamic situation, with access most recently provided by gracious private landowners. The AW site, the new put in, and a relatively new access site a few miles upstream form an outstanding suite of paddling options that will be available for generations to come.

Check out the next issue of the American Whitewater Journal for an article by Edgar on how this great project came together and how you could do the same thing on your home river. 

In recognition of Edgar's efforts, he will receive a custom Kokatat X-Jacket, thanks to Kokatat's support of AW's Volunteer of the Month award.