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Conservation + Recreation: 
LA River, Walking off the War & Time to Stand-Up!
  
In the News

 

Walking Off the War. Veterans turn to the Appalachian Trail as a place of solace. Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the "Walk off the War" Program that helps veterans transition back into their civilian lives.

Learn more about Warrior Hike "Walk off the War" Program.

 


 

Connecting the LA River.  Hear how NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance staff have worked with partners to help connect and revitalize communities of the Northeast Los Angeles Riverfront to transform it into a "riverfront district". For more information on LA River Collaborative visit www.mylariver.org.

 

 

  

Itinerary Inspiration! The Willamette River Water Trail, one of eleven designated National Water Trails, has a new interactive site for river exploration, trip planning, and itinerary inspiration. Check out the online map to find your way along the water trail.

  

Nature Lovers Connect through a New App. NPS and partners help nature lovers share their observation of insects, plants, animals, and other living species through the smartphone app Nature Spotter.

 
Findings and Publications

 

Is it Time to Stand-Up? Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is an increasingly popular way to get out on the water. According to the Outdoor Foundation, more than half of stand-up paddling boarding participants tried the sport for the first time in 2012.  SUP is a full body workout that has grown both in numbers, and in innovative applications of the sport. For example, the New York Kayak Company offers SUP Yoga Sessions that help bring zen to the water and paddle boards are becoming a popular choice of watercraft for adventurous fishermen.

Cities' Plans to Deal with Water Scarcity, Drought Explored. In a comprehensive new article, NPR looks into how 10 cities in the American West are dealing with water scarcity and drought.

 

Daylighting Takes Off as Cities Expose Long-Buried Rivers. This urban renewal process uncovers and restores buried streams. Some cities have covered more than 70% of their streams. Uncovering these streams can help reduce flooding and boost the economic value of the community.


"Kids Today, River Professionals Tomorrow" is the focus of the River Management Society Journal this month, including several articles about how the National Park Service Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs and partners are connecting youth to rivers.
 
Tools

 

American Hiking Society Volunteer Crews Available. If you work on a trail or trails that need to be constructed, rehabilitated or maintained, the American Hiking Society (AHS) wants to send you hard-working  and dedicated volunteers. The AHS is accepting crew requests until September 30, 2013 for the 2014 AHS Volunteer Vacations schedule. For application instructions or to request a crew on-line, visit the AHS Website. All applicants will be contacted in October. Successful applicants will need to confirm trip details and sign a 2014 host agreement. Any National Park or Friends group can request a crew. For more information, contact Libby Wile, AHS's Director of Volunteer Programs, at 301-565-6704 ext. 206; [email protected].  


WEBINAR: An Alternative Development and Analysis Expos�.

Development of alternatives is an integral part of planning for the future of parks and recreation areas. This webinar uses project examples and lessons learned from professional planners to illuminate the process for developing and analyzing alternatives.

Date:  Thursday, October 3rd at 1:00-2:30 pm EDT

Length:  1.5 hours

Cost:  Free

Host:  Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals

Register here:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5415479948738217728

 
Grants and Job Opportunities

 

Take Me Fishing Grant (Due 9.27.2013) NRPA announced the Take Me Fishing Grant program that provides funding, training, education and marketing materials to engage youth and families in fishing and boating activities in your community. Eligible US-based applicants include: local park and recreation agencies; schools (public and private); government agencies; and youth-serving organizations. Applicants may apply for funding in three different categories: New Programs, Program Sustainability, and Audience Development. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 with a required 25% grantee match.

Captain Planet Foundation Grants (Due 9.30.13). Grants are made to promote and support high-quality educational programs that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world, and improve the environment in their schools and communities. Preferential consideration is given to requests seeking seed funding of $500 or less and to applicants who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their projects. Captain Planet Foundation will on occasion consider grants up to $2,500.
  

Surdna Foundation Grants (Rolling Basis) The Surdna Foundation seeks to foster sustainable communities in the United States - communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies and thriving cultures.They accept letters of inquiry on a rolling basis. Full proposals are requested and reviewed by the Foundation in March, July, or December. 

 
River of the Month

 

The Fox River in northeast Wisconsin is our River of the Month!

 


 
A number of long-awaited recreation enhancements are coming to a highly urbanized/industrial hydropower project on the Fox River in northeast Wisconsin thanks to new plans approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the Badger - Rapide Croche Project.


NPS Hydropower Assistance Program staff engaged in the 6-year long licensing process helped to identify and study potential recreation enhancements associated with the project. NPS worked with staff from American Whitewater, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and the licensee throughout the duration to achieve the

following:


1. Provide whitewater boating flows to mitigate the effects the new Badger powerhouse has on recreational opportunities. This will be accomplished with four scheduled whitewater boating flows of 3,340 cfs at a rate not to exceed 10% per hour.

 

2. Website to provide real-time flow information, notice of scheduled flow events, and potential cancellations of recreation flows.

3. Provide six additional access points along the river. Some of these access points include such amenities as picnic tables with grills, an observation deck, restrooms, and parking to enhance visitor use and safety.

Contact Angie Tornes for more information. 

 
A Tip of the Hat to...  

 

The Penobscot River Restoration Trust partnership that will result in opening up 1,000 miles of river and stream habitat.

Through partnerships and collaboration this landmark river restoration project was a joint effort of the Penobscot Indian Nation, the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, six other nongovernmental organizations, the state of Maine, the Department of the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and hydropower companies.

Removal of the Veazie Dam will help restore over 500 miles of endangered Atlantic Salmon habitat and allow these and other fish to pass through the Penobscot Indian Nation's reservation unimpeded by dams for the first time in almost 200 years. 

 

To learn more watch this inspiring video (the ad doesn't take very long).
  

"To the Penobscot [people], this river is our very soul.... With each step of this project, we feel that much closer to [the river], and realizing our people's dream of this river in its natural state..."

- Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis in BDN Maine 9/12/2013

 
Let's Work Together
 
The National Park Service works with partners and helps communities advance their stewardship, conservation, and outdoor recreation goals. Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs extend and expand the benefits of the National Park Service throughout the nation to connect all Americans to their parks, trails, rivers, and other special places. 
  

How can we help you make your vision a reality? 

 

 

This is a free monthly publication to share activities and successes of National Park Service Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs and partners.

 

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Images courtesy of the National Park Service except as noted.
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