Rivers for Change

The non-profit I'm forming Rivers for Change is currently working on a campaign to paddle 12 critical California watersheds from Source to Sea in 2012. I'm living and breathing this at the moment. You can check it out at www.riversforchange.org

Paddle to the Sea Summary

I greeted the Tuolumne for the first time at Turlock State Park at Sunset. The last orange hues of the day glowed on this little river pushing at its bank, swirling through the Willows, slightly muddied by its high spring water levels. Little did I know about the frothy Wild and Scenic Whitewater section above, the long paddle across Don Pedro Reservoir, the incredible wildlife, or the vastness of the 100 mile paddle through the Delta.

Over the next 3 weeks I would gain an intimate appreciation for this watershed, the wonderful people who came out to paddle, and the amazing work TRT does to vocalize the rivers needs.

From it's infancy to it's rebirth at the sea, traveling down an entire river creates a unique perspective that imprints in ones soul just how precious a resource it is, and how much it has been changed and influenced by man. Watching a river absorb the effects of human disdain may be disheartening to some, but the most inspirational finding for me about the Tuolumne, like so many other watersheds that have had their challenges, is that it is actually a symbol of hope.

It is a symbol of hope that even after being diverted and levied, dammed, and trashed there is a river teeming with wildlife, ready and waiting to flourish within its banks once more. Salmon, Beaver, Herons, Egrets, Hawks all hovering on the outskirts of an opportunity to make a little piece of heaven their home.

And that inspiration can carry one across the longest stretches of water, through wind and rain, through 12hour paddling days, and right onto the doorstep of a future filled with a vibrant and healthy watershed for all.

Paddle to the Sea

As the adventures in my life continue to unfold in majestic and mysterious ways, I have come across a unique opportunity in May, to participate in a Paddle-A-Thon with the Tuolumne River Trust. As you may know in 2009 I kayaked down the length of the Mississippi River, which gave me an intimate appreciation of what it's really like to get to know a river. From it's infancy to it's rebirth at the sea, traveling down a watershed creates a unique perspective of just how precious a resource it is, and how much it has been changed and influenced by man.

This time my hope is to learn about the Tuolumne River, a key water supplier for the Bay Area, threatened by pollution and overuse. As a Core Paddler working my way down the entire river, my aim is to raise at least $1000 for the Trust. With the help of you and 199 other friends :-) I can easily reach that goal and beyond. I'm asking for sustainable donations of $5, $10, $15 (or more if you're so able). For the simple price of replacing your caffeine buzz for the day you can ride high on the feeling that you're supporting a good cause! The Tuolumne River Trust has been working since 1981 for the protection of this river and all funds raised through this Paddle-A-Thon will go directly to supporting TRT's work to

* Save the salmon

* Promote water conservation

* Train the next generation of river stewards by connecting kids and communities to the river.

You can click on the link below to donate (and make me and the critters that live on the river very happy campers). Do it now, and feel the immediate gratification of that oh so good feeling of giving to a good cause! I swear it's an instant high. :)

http://www.paddletothesea.org/paddle/participantpage.asp?uid=3004&fundid=1658

Or if you are in the Bay Area and would like to join us on the river for a paddle day or event, you can find out more at

http://www.paddletothesea.org/paddle/about.asp

With gratitude and love for your support,

Danielle