When talking safety on the river, going with the flow just won’t do.
As a newly-announced partnership between advocacy groups One For the Verde and the Verde River Valley Nature Organization shows, it takes a concerted effort — not to mention a little capital — from the community.
One For The Verde is awarding the Verde River Valley Nature Organization $3,000 to fund workshops in safe river recreation through April 2017.
“One For the Verde is a partnership of community-minded, local businesses in the Verde Valley that are dedicated to preserving our streams which support a healthy economy,” One For the Verde Program Director Carrie King stated. “When the Verde River Valley Nature Organization submitted a proposal asking us to fund the river safety workshops, the selection panel, made up of participating local businesses owners and the One For The Verde treasurer, decided it was a worthwhile investment.”
Workshops will include instruction in river safety and on-river training.
“One type is for new boaters to learn how to kayak safely and responsibly,” King stated. “Another is for experienced boaters, so they can guide or assist at Verde River Valley Nature Organization events. This instruction provides the Verde River Valley Nature Organization with trained guides and safety boaters during its river events.”
And the Verde River Valley Nature Organization does indeed have a busy calendar, hosting the Verde River Days Free Guided Canoe Paddle, the Verde River Runoff and the Cadillac Canoe field trip at the Birding and Nature Festival, among others. King stated that the awarded funds will allow important river safety instruction to be offered at a low cost so more people will be able to participate in the events.
According to King, in the last year One For The Verde’s selection committee has awarded over $22,000 in private money, generated by partnered proprietors, to support river conservation.
“Participation in One For The Verde is voluntary,” King explained. “Examples of how local businesses generate contributions to fund conservation solutions for the Verde River and its tributaries include: A portion of a menu item or a beverage gets donated to One For The Verde; a special wine dedicated to the Verde River; a percent of an item sold …. How a business chooses to participate is entirely up to the owner’s imagination.”
King added that there are substantial incentives for businesses to participate in One For The Verde, including a free educational river trip, free advertising, social media promotion and fundraising opportunities. Contributions raised by businesses are tax deductible.
Currently, there are over 77 participating businesses Verde Valley-wide.
