PRESS RELEASE
Rivers for Change to Paddle 12 California Watersheds “Source to Sea” in 2012
The non-profit teams up with Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation to undertake this first-of-its-kind project.
San Francisco, January 5, 2012 – Today, Rivers for Change announces its campaign to paddle 12 Critical California watersheds “Source to Sea” in 2012. Danielle Katz and John Dye of Rivers for Change believe that beginning at the source of a river and traveling all the way to the sea, will creates an never-before seen comprehensive view of a the entirety of the watershed. Fueled solely by human power, the expedition includes trips on the Yuba, Russian, Salinas, Los Angeles, American, Tuolumne, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Mokelumne, Klamath, and Feather.
Partnering with Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, the non-profit connecting adventure athletes with scientists who need them to collect data, the team of paddlers will gather scientific data along the way. In addition, Rivers for Change will collect geo-tagged photos for Below the Surface and the USGS’s Streamview project to help create an online living legacy of America’s Waterways.
“This project allows us to take a step back and look at the whole picture instead of just a section of it. You experience both the pristine beauty and altering effects of human impact,” says Katz. “It begs the question: how can we find the balance between use and overuse? How do we become river stewards to preserve this resource for future generations?”
Regarding 12 Rivers in 2012: “We don’t have a water shortage in the west. We have lack of care for our water resources.” Observes Dye. “We choose to look at the issue up close traveling each mile by small boats, recording what we find.”
With over 1,900 miles of paddling, a host of portages, and too many freeze dried meals to count-the team will have an inspiring collection of stories to tell. The campaign will engage in community conservation paddle days, river clean- ups, and events with local non-profits throughout the year.
Their first trip begins on Jan 12 on the Yuba. Those interested in upcoming events, rivers, sponsorship and donations can find us on facebook, twitter or at www.riversforchange.org
About Rivers for Change
Rivers for Change was founded in October of 2011 with the mission to inspire and engage people and communities in stewardship and conservation to promote the protection, health, and revitalization of our rivers and watersheds. Marrying adventure with conservation, founders Danielle Katz and John Dye bring over 40 years of river, ocean kayaking, and rafting experience to bear on pressing water issues. The group is fiscally sponsored by the River Network while their 501(c)3 status is confirmed.
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Contact:
Danielle Katz, Executive Director: 213.220. 3686 danielle@riverforchange.org
John Dye, Associate Director: 415.299.0827 john@riversforchange.org
