Sunday, March 31, 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Today along the Bow River - March 2013

Photo, Copyright Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved 2013

Another decent day along the Bow River with a high of +10 °C.

Trout Unlimited Canada event hooks more than $800,000

From left, at the 29th annual Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) National Conservation Dinner held March 14 at the Hyatt, are TUC’s Peg Oneil and Tammy Morales with TUC board chair Dave Byler and June-Marie Innes. Photograph by: Bill Brooks, For the Calgary Herald


Trout Unlimited Canada event hooks more than $800,000

By Bill Brooks, Calgary Herald March 29, 2013

Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) has been conserving, protecting and enhancing Canadian streams, rivers and valuable habitat since 1972. And its signature fundraiser, the annual National Conservation Dinner, has raised millions of dollars across the country. From P.E.I. to Vancouver Island, like-minded individuals gather to support TUC and its invaluable work. But nowhere is support greater than in Calgary. The recent 29th annual dinner, held March 14 at the Hyatt, raised more than $800,000 — in one night!

Read story, plus 9 photos, here

Looking back along the Bow River - 2012 Season

Photo, Copyright Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved 2012
May 2012

Friday, March 29, 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Today along the Bow River - March 2013 (McKinnon Flats)

All photos, courtesy Andy G. Copyright All rights reserved 2013

McKinnon Flats - Thanks to Andy G. for sending along these photos that he took earlier today. Andy reports that the ice shelves along the water are still 8' to 10' high. No chance of getting a drift boat out. 

Road down from the top was 'a bit chewed up, and will probably get worse before it gets better'. Although he wasn't sure it was needed, he did put his truck in to 4x4, just to make sure. 





Inspiring trek (Edmonton to Calgary) aims to provide clean water globally

Spencer West, who appeared at We Day in Calgary last fall, celebrates after reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in June, 2012. Photograph by: Handout , The Canadian Press


Inspiring trek (Edmonton to Calgary) aims to provide clean water globally

Schools urged to join initiative

By Sherri Zickefoose, Calgary Herald March 26, 2013

It's going to be hard to top climbing Mount Kilimanjaro without legs, but Spencer West is seeking another challenge and it's here in Alberta.

West is aiming to walk with his hands from Edmonton to Calgary over 11 days in May. The 300-km trek will see students and other guests join West from May 6 to 16 as he travels the highway on his hands and in his wheelchair to raise money for Free The Children's water initiative to bring clean water to people all over the world.

The motivational speaker, whose legs were amputated just below the pelvis when he was five due to a genetic disorder, raised half a million dollars for clean water initiatives by scaling the Tanzania peak last year.

During his stint as a speaker at We Day in Calgary last fall, West said he was moved by how many youth wanted to take part.

Read more here

Looking back along the Bow River - 2012 Season

Photo, Copyright Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved 2012
May 2012

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Today along the Bow River - March 2013

All photos, Copyright Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved 2013

Wax Wings?


22X/Fish Creek Park boat launch gate still closed


Spin fishing in the early evening light

WaterWalker Film Festival - Thurs March 27 (Calgary)


WaterWalker Film Festival - Thurs March 27 (Calgary)

The WaterWalker Film Festival - North America's Original Paddling film festival - is coming to Calgary for one night only, Thursday March 28th!

Start the paddling season with a bang by seeing the best paddling films of the year!

The event is happening at Jenkins Theatre, Mount Royal University. The show starts at 7PM, door open at 6:30. Tickets are only $10 in advance, and include a coupon for $10 OFF a purchase at Undercurrents! Tickets at the door are $15. Get your advance tickets, guaranteeing you a seat, at Undercurrents, or by calling 403-262-4327.

Net proceeds support Leave No Trace Canada!

Information on film festival winners here: http://www.paddlingcanada.com/latest-news/waterwalker-festival/festival-winners.html


This is a trailer for 'Winner - Best Environmental Film":
 
 
Ikkatsu:The Roadless Coast Trailer from Steve Weileman on Vimeo.

Looking back along the Bow River - 2012 Season

Photo, Copyright Bow River Shuttles All rights reserved 2012
May 2012

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Treat our Alberta headwaters like the treasures they are



Why this is important  

A century of clear cut logging, oil and gas development and out-of-control off-road vehicle abuse has left the headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River fragmented and scarred. Natural river flows are 12% lower than in the mid twentieth century. Climate change will only make things worse.

Alberta is about to release a South Saskatchewan regional land use plan that was prepared with wide citizen consultation. But special interest groups with a stake in business-as-usual want to ensure it contains no limits on off-road abuse, increases clear cut logging, and promotes more development.

Those who care about healthy landscapes, clean rivers and future water security need a chance to inform the government that they support a plan that keeps the mountains and foothills green and healthy by establishing new parks, restricting off-road vehicles to official trails, replacing clear cutting with restoration logging, and repairing landscapes damaged by past industrial and motorized abuse.

Healthy intact headwaters don't just produce more and better water - they yield better fishing and hunting, more secure and productive habitat for elk, grizzlies and native trout, and the aesthetic and ecological qualities that yield the finest of recreational environments. 

SIGN THIS PETITION

"Please make headwaters protection the over-riding priority for the foothills and mountains that feed water to the South Saskatchewan River. The South Saskatchewan Regional plan should create new parks, limit clearcut logging, restore abandoned roads, protect creeks and wetlands from industrial damage and restrict motorized use to a few well-designed trails. Water is critical to our future; our beautiful headwaters need better care."

Read more here