Volunteer Links

American Whitewater is pleased to announce Bill Cross as our 2009 River Steward of the Year. American Whitewater annually awards this honor to a single volunteer who has shown exceptional dedication to our river stewardship mission, and who has recently reached a major milestone in their efforts. In addition to our appreciation the AW River Steward of the Year Award comes with a Jackson kayak.

American Whitewater would like to recognize Michelle "Mac" Miller as our October Volunteer of the Month. Mac was an outstanding volunteer at this year's Gauley Fest volunteering a ton of time to help us put on the event. She was tireless in her efforts and always met every challenge with a friendly smile and remarkable determination. Thanks Mac!

Another year, another awesome American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru! Gauley Fest is of major importance to AW as it's our biggest fundraising event. All the funds raised at this national level event go back to funding AW's River Stewardship work all over the United States. A huge thanks goes out to all our volunteers that helped out, people who attended and vendors that setup!

American Whitewater would like to recognize Bob Taylor as our September volunteer of the month. Bob has been a major volunteer dedicating hundreds of hours over the years to Deerfield Fest benefiting AW. He's worked tirelessly with all aspects of the festival from electrical, field setup, booth work and cleanup. Moreover, Bob is well known in the local paddling community as an excellent boater who's always willing to help teach beginning boaters the ropes. On top of all that, Bob's just a really cool guy. Thanks Bob!

Everyone loves to attend the world's biggest paddling festival: the American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru. However, what most people don't realize is that outside AW's 8 full-time employees, it's a completely volunteer run event! AW sure could use your help. Please sign up for 2 hours (or more) and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team!

The Tallulah releases will be held this fall on the following dates: November 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. Approximately thirty volunteers are needed each weekend.

The Wenatchee River Festival will take place once again on the second weekend in June with the main festivities on Saturday June 13. The festival will be at Riverside Park in Cashmere.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual South Platte River Cleanup on Sunday, April 26th in celebration of Earth Day in Denver, Colorado. This is an all volunteer event to pick up trash along the South Platte River and Bike Paths.

Last year, we saw over 200 rafters, kayakers, cyclists and pedestrians that successfully removed over 2 TONS of garbage from the river and bike path. This year we anticipate an even larger turnout. We have even more sponsors and prizes. This is a great way to give back to your community and take care of the river and bike path that wind through Denver.

Last week at the Gauley River Festival, American Whitewater announced that Charlie Vincent was named the 2008 River Steward of the Year. American Whitewater annually awards this honor to a single volunteer who has shown exceptional dedication to our river stewardship mission, and who has recently reached a major milestone in their efforts. Charlie's decade of volunteer work on Idaho's Bear River successfully restored water to the river's Black Canyon this year.

An alternative to Wild and Scenic River Management is currently being developed for the Upper Colorado River, that would provide water for growing populations in Colorado, while permanently protecting the iconic river's threatened fish and wildlife habitat, riparian systems, and the world class whitewater from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Canyon. American Whitewater is working to ensure that environmental and recreational flow needs are protected under the new management alternative.

Colorado- The communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte in the upper Gunnison River basin, will showcase hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and rugged recreation during the Gunnison River Festival and River Awareness Week. The schedule of events promises to deliver plenty of river fun and learning from August 14th-18th, 2008.

Lewis County PUD will be opening the gate to the Cispus River take-out on selected dates this spring and paddlers are encouraged to come take advantage of the opportunity to gain easy access to this run.