June 5, 2005
Contents
- We're only three weeks away from beginning our Big Bow Float!
- Why Float the Bow?
- About our post-trip outreach and education campaign: Invite Us to Your Community
- Thanks to our sponsors!!
- Please support our outreach and education efforts.
1. We're only three weeks away from beginning our Big Bow Float!
We're on the verge of our Big Bow Float: A Centennial Canoe Journey! The week of June 27, Danielle Droitsch and Jim Kievit will commence their Big Bow Float, a four-week 657-kilometer continuous canoe trip spanning the entire length of the Bow River. Jim's dog Rocco plans to join them once he's completed a doggie canoe course.
Danielle will begin the trip with some Bow Riverkeeper supporters hiking to Bow Glacier where they will focus attention on the issue of global climate change, glacial recession, and diminishing snow packs. They will then begin their canoe trip on Bow Lake and spend about 10 days to go through Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, the Stoney Reserve, and Cochrane.
With a break for Stampede (of course!), we'll recommence the trip on Tuesday, July 19 coming through Calgary. This portion of the trip will last about two weeks.
2. Why float the Bow?
Why not? The Big Bow Float is intended to inspire Albertans to discover the abundance of the Bow River, learn more about what challenges face the river in the future and consider specific actions to assure its future health. Motivated by the Alberta Centennial, Bow Riverkeeper will help Albertans discover the Bow River's 100 year history, and its role as a central driver in the settlement of Southern Alberta.
Today, the general consensus is that the Bow River's future is largely dependent on how Alberta deals with water scarcity. According to the Alberta government, the Bow River is at or beyond its available capacity for water supply. River flows in some portions of the river are so low that they are negatively impacting the river's health. Global climate change and the probability of a future drought makes water availability even more uncertain.
The Big Bow Float will provide the impetus for Albertans to consider the next 100 years. What should we do to ensure this river is healthy and sustainable over the next 100 years?
3. About our post-trip outreach and education campaign: Invite Us to Your Community!
Would you like to see a slideshow presentation about our trip (once we've finished it of course). We know that most people can't take a month off work and paddle the length of the Bow River! It's also hard to keep up on all of the issues and challenges facing our most precious resource. So, with your invitation, we'll come to your community and give you a taste of our adventure. All you need to do is contact us.
The slideshow presentation will feature some of the better photos of the river. We'll also share some stories about what we saw and who we met and tell you about our It's Our Water Future campaign to protect sustainable and dependable river flows. If you are interested in setting up a presentation in your community, please let us know.
For More Information, please go to our website at www.bowriverkeeper.org
4. A BIG thank you to our Sponsors!!
In the past few months, several organizations and businesses have stepped forward to support this effort financially. The funds we receive are for the most part going directly toward our post-trip outreach and education efforts.
Our most significant supporter is Alberta Ecotrust who is supporting our post-trip outreach and education campaign. Thank you Alberta Ecotrust!
We'd also like to thank our silver sponsors: TD Friends of the Environment and the Alberta Recreational Canoe Association.
Finally, we are grateful to LaFarge, Alberta Views, and Wordsmith Associates, for their support.
5. Please support our outreach and education efforts.
Please support our post-trip education and outreach campaign after the canoe trip! We are raising money to take free slideshow presentations throughout the Bow River basin to raise public awareness.
Donate now and receive offical Big Bow Float: A Centennial Voyage merchandise!!
Those who contribute $50 will receive their choice of an Official Big Bow Float Toque or Water Bottle. Gifts of $90 or more will receive a Toque AND a Water Bottle.
Bow Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization and relies on generous support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Help "keep us afloat" so we can continue to be your eyes and ears on the Bow River...
Support the work of Bow Riverkeeper! Consider making a donation to Bow Riverkeeper in the amount of $30 or more and receive a free annual subscription to WATERKEEPER Magazine. You will also receive a quarterly update from Bow Riverkeeper and our work in the Bow River basin.
To make a donation go to, http://www.bowriverkeeper.org/bbf/?q=donate