Protecting Rivers & Your Clean Water
Finding New Ways To Access Your River
Evan Reimondo, Restoration and Outreach Coordinator, AmeriCorps Member
March 26, 2013 | Blue Trails
Did you know that, at least in California, any time a new bridge is built or an old one replaced, the overseeing governmental agency is obligated to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing public access to the river? No? Well neither did we!
Read more »What is the National Blueways Initiative?
Jamie Mierau, Director, River Protection
January 9, 2013 | Blue Trails, Urban Rivers, Wild and Scenic Rivers
In May of 2012, Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar announced the new National Blueways System, a key element of America’s Great Outdoors, and designated the Connecticut River Watershed – covering areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut – as the nation’s first blueway.
Read more »Blue Trails Boost Local Economies
Jamie Mierau, Director, River Protection
November 7, 2012 | Blue Trails
Three decades ago, my hometown river, the Saluda near Columbia, South Carolina, was threatened by a proposed hydroelectric dam. Working with dedicated community leaders, I ran canoe trips on the Saluda in an effort to bring attention the harmful project and to highlight the river as a recreational asset. These efforts not only stopped the dam project in its tracks, they also led to the creation of River Runner Outdoor Center, the first full service outfitter center in Columbia, where I met my wife when she came to buy a kayak.
Read more »What’s Happening on the Kansas River?
Jessie Thomas-Blate, Coordinator, Most Endangered Rivers
October 3, 2012 | Water Pollution, Most Endangered Rivers, Blue Trails
This has been a really eventful year for Friends of the Kaw and the Kansas River. The Kaw made national attention for being listed as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® for 2012 due to proposed expansion of commercial mining for sand.
Read more »Part 3: The Verde: A River Transformed
Jamie Mierau, Director, River Protection
September 7, 2012 | Blue Trails
Clarkdale, Arizona, and many other local partners are working with American Rivers to improve recreation and preserve the Verde River through the creation of a Blue Trail. As part of this project, Clarkdale is creating the first river park along the Verde called, “Verde River @ Clarkdale.” This park will provide access to the river, kayaking facilities, educational opportunities and economic development plans based on a flowing, vital river.
Read more »Part 2: Keeping the Verde River Healthy
Jamie Mierau, Director, River Protection
September 6, 2012 | Blue Trails
The unofficial oath of those of us who work to conserve the Verde River is, “First, Do No Harm.” By this, we mean that our river is in pretty good shape, especially when compared to the fate of so many other desert southwest rivers. In Arizona, the norm has been to consume rivers, not to conserve them, and this has left a legacy of dry creek beds where lush rivers once ran.
Read more »Part 1: Welcome to Central Arizona’s Oasis – The Verde River
Jamie Mierau, Director, River Protection
September 5, 2012 | Blue Trails
The headwaters of the Verde River emerge 100 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona and begin an incredible journey to the east and south through wilderness, basalt canyons, and pristine riparian forest, gathering flow along its 200-mile long path to meet the Salt River.
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