2006: What a year!.gif)
What a year, 2006 was American Whitewater’s best year yet! Hard changes made in 2005 took hold and delivered an outstanding year in both river stewardship successes and the organizations financial health.
Here are examples of how our recent transitions provided for a healthier organization:
Regional Stewardship Work: In 2005, American Whitewater transitioned its river access and conservation programs into a model that embraces regional river stewardship. The fruits of this transition became clear in 2006. American Whitewater staff and volunteers are successfully building relationships within their communities to improve the quality and quantity of whitewater recreation and conservation in their backyards. Local staff and board representation, coupled with empowered volunteers, makes American Whitewater more effective fulfilling our mission “to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”
National Representation: American Whitewater joined forces with other human powered outdoor recreation organizations to form the Outdoor Alliance. This coalition allows all of our organizations to collaborate on common goals of preserving and restoring our natural resources for responsible recreation. The Outdoor Alliance provides a stronger voice for our interests in Washington D.C. and is helping to shape public policy for improved recreational access and conservation on all American public lands.
Financial Stability: Throughout 2006, American Whitewater diversified its funding streams. To accomplish this American Whitewater reached out to new funding sources; foundations, the outdoor industry, and focused efforts on educating our member donors on the value of American Whitewater’s work and how support contributes to river stewardship efforts.
Primed for growth: In 2006, American Whitewater hosted a meeting of whitewater boating interests in Colorado to create the Colorado Rivers Initiative. American Whitewater recognized that Colorado rivers face the most significant threats found anywhere in the country. American Whitewater committed to hiring our new Colorado Stewardship Director, Nathan Fey. This position will lead and support volunteers across the state to make sure paddlers in Colorado have a voice for how its rivers and water are managed.
I would personally like to thank the many volunteers that contribute their valuable time, our Board of Directors and staff for their support making this transition a reality. Working together, American Whitewater’s members, staff, and volunteers will continue to make a difference in the effort to save and restore America’s whitewater treasures.
See you on the river,
Mark Singleton
Executive Director
P.S. To download a complete copy of American Whitewater’s 2006 Annual Report simply click here!