American Whitewater is currently developing a stewardship-based approach to our mission to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. As paddlers our work is not done when we open a new access or sign an important conservation agreement””protecting our interests and those of the rivers that inspire and fulfill us requires a commitment to stewardship that is ongoing. Eric and Tina Myren have demonstrated this new ethic and for that we recognize them as our volunteers of the month.
Eric and Tina live a short distance from the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, a great intermediate whitewater run near I-90 close to Seattle that they enjoy rafting. For many years paddlers watched as historic access points were lost. While kayakers found new places to scramble down the banks or walked around locked gates, rafters were left with few good options. Following consistent pressure from local affiliate clubs, King County committed resources to provide formal access to the river. Eric and Tina stepped forward to make sure the design addressed the needs of the rafting community and now we have an access that serves not only rafters but kayakers, canoeists, fishermen, and members of the community who simply want to put their toes in the water. While the initial work addressed the situation at the put-in, Eric and Tina have now focused their attention on the take-out. In May they rallied members of their club, Washington Recreation River Runners, to sponsor a volunteer event pulling invasive vegetation at the new site identified for access. Nearly 40 individuals came out to help! (read more). Much work remains but the commitment to stewardship has been recognized by agencies and other organizations who are partners in this effort.
In addition to their work on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie, Eric and Tina have also provided important input and leadership on access issues on the Skykomish, Cispus, Sauk, and Suiattle Rivers.
Through their efforts Eric and Tina Myren have greatly enhanced the ability of AW to effectively serve the needs of the rafting community in the Pacific Northwest. For this and their contribution to a model program for stewardship, Eric and Tina are American Whitewater’s volunteers of the month for July.