WWTA is a leader, partner, and resource for water trail planning and development across the state of Washington. WWTA facilitates volunteer involvement in water trail stewardship and educates members and the public at large about relevant political issues and best practices for low impact recreation (Leave No Trace). WWTA represents the state's non-motorized boating population in the political and recreational planning realm. WWTA remains an authority on the needs of non-motorized boaters in terms of physical and informational access to Washington's waterways.




GiveBIG - May 2, 2012

THANK YOU FOR GIVING BIG!!


WWTA 2012 Work Parties Coming Up!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THE FIRST WORK PARTY OF THE SEASON ON BLAKE ISLAND AND TO Exped LLC FOR SUPPLYING SNACKS, BEVERAGES, STOVES AND SHELTERS!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THE SECOND WORK PARTY OF THE SEASON AT WOLFE PROPERTY!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED FOR THE THIRD WORK PARTY OF THE SEASON ON BLIND ISLAND AND TO Exped LLC FOR SUPPLYING SNACKS AND BEVERAGES!


Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer Course
Join LNT Master Trainer Reed Waite June 23-24, 2012, for WWTA's Trainer Course. Participants will gain a comprehensive overview of Leave No Trace through direct, in-field experience during the two-day overnight course in an outdoor setting.

The course covers the principles, mission, and ethics of Leave No Trace and includes information about the trainer's role and techniques for educating others. Participants learn to lead Awareness Workshops, as well as effectively educating their friends, family, and community about Leave No Trace.

Trainer Courses are the second highest level of Leave No Trace training. The Leave No Trace Trainer Courses provide graduates with innovative teaching skills to educate a wide range of students on low-impact recreation.

This 2012 Trainer Course will be held in Mid-Puget Sound, within 50 miles of Seattle, on the water and at land locations on the Cascadia Marine Trail, a National Recreation Trail.

Link here for more information!


A Rock Solid Foundation in 2012
All tuition from all 2012 "A Rock Solid Foundation" classes will be donated to Washington Water Trails Association, courtesy of Bob Burnett & Rogue Wave Adventures!

"A Rock Solid Foundation" is where it all begins. Building a house that will stand for a lifetime requires a solid foundation built with skill and quality materials. At Rogue Wave Adventures, you'll start by getting intimate with our environment. The boat, the body, the blade and, never to be forgotten, the water is where you'll begin. You'll learn what it takes to get started by learning to be comfortable in your environment through getting into your boat with balance, getting out safely and effectively, and getting back in quickly and efficiently. You'll learn the most efficient and effective foundation of strokes to enable you to move your boat for many years of painless and efficient paddling. This solid foundation will put in place a platform for future growth.

Class dates are offered April through July (April 7, May 5, June 9, June 30, and July 22). For more information, please call(206) 321-0011 or email Rogue Wave Adventures.

Link here for more information!


Site Steward Report Reminder!
WWTA's long-standing volunteer effort to maintain the Cascadia Marine Trail is calling on all Site Stewards to fill out and submit reports for this paddling season. Please submit a report for each separate site visited and, if you can, include photos of any problems you may have encountered at the site(s).

Mike Woolf, WWTA’s Site Steward Coordinator, will compile the information to determine sites that will require restoration and maintenance in the coming months.

Thank you, as always, for your efforts!




CASCADIA MARINE TRAIL
Posted June 2011 - Planet Forward on PBS
Posted April 2011 - Assignment Earth
Early in 2011 a local producer, Amy Mathis, put together a video telling the story of the Cascadia Marine Trail. It can be viewed both on PBS and Assignment Earth!

Planet Forward on PBS is where experts and engaged citizens weigh in on energy, climate and sustainability (Online AND on TV), featuring stories about innovation helping communities build for the future and adapt to a changing planet. Planet Forward is a project of the Center for Innovative Media at The George Washington University.

Assignment Earth Video News Segments About the World's Environment http://www.assignmentearth.org/
Find the story about the Cascadia Marine Trail under: Gallery - New Releases




Leave No Trace (LNT) Training Course
WWTA's 10th Leave No Trace Trainer Course was held (June 25-26) at the newest Cascadia Marine Trail site, Wolfe Property State Park, Jefferson County. Participants included three Canadians from the BC Marine Trails Network Association and the two members of the 2011 Sound, Education and Action (SEA) Kayaker team, Melinda Buttles and Ben Bowen. Games, skits, and knot-tying instruction augmented discussion on teaching the seven Leave No Trace principles.

Small footprints in the sand on Sunday morning reflected the effectiveness of the group's LNT practiced skills. A raccoon had bypassed the campstove, pots, and dishes without stopping! Now there's a clean beach camp kitchen.




NEW VESSEL REGULATIONS
NOAA Issues Final Killer Whale Vessel Regulations
On April 8, 2011, NOAA announced final regulations to protect killer whales in Washington State from the effects of vessel activities. The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect early May and apply to all types of boats, including kayaks, sail, and motor boats in Washington's inland waters.

Alert
An important update on the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's budget, and particularly on a legislative proposal that could save our Washington State Parks, is available here.


Update
Department of Natural Resources
The Senate and the House have recently introduced companion bills (SB 5622 and HB 1796) relating to recreation access on Washington State lands.

The state is facing a projected budget shortfall of $4.6 billion for the 2011-2013 biennial budget cycle. The Governor's budget proposal essentially zeroes out recreation funds in the State General Fund. In recent years, DNR has counted on a $1.2 million of General Funds each biennium for its Recreation Program. State Parks and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are also looking at enormous cuts. Typically, General Fund dollars represent 20 percent of DNR's total budget.

Legislators are interested in hearing more from the public. Sen. Kevin Ranker (San Juan Island) held a hearing on SB 5622, and Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (Sequim) is sponsoring HB 1796. Go online to the Washington State Legislature to search for information on both bills.

For any questions about the bills, contact Mark Mauren @360-902-1523.







Fall/Winter 2010 Easy Current News
Online Here

Spring 2010 Easy Current News
Online Here