Building appreciation for the Monongahela and working toward a clean river.

Lend your Support

OK, I'm back. Go here to see the trip narrative.
   
  If you would like to help, there are seven levels:

 

 

 

 

 $1 per mile
$2 per mile
$3 per mile
$5 per mile
$5 per mile 		    $125 total length
$250 total length
$375 total length
$625 total length
$? any part of the total trip of 125 miles
$10 per mile     $1,250 total length
$20 per mile     $2,500 total length
$30 per mile     $3,750 total length
   
  Call (304) 276-8306 or E-mail: kayaktour@magicriverwv.com
 
Donors and their participation levels will be recognized prominently on a donor’s web page associated with the effort.  All funds will go toward litter cleanup on the river between Fairmont and Morgantown.


 

Your support will pay for:
Purchase of a boat to collect litter
Fuel and maintenance of the vessel
Safety and other equipment
Honorarium for speakers
Lunches for participants

  
   

On May 15, I began a 127 mile kayak trip from the top of the Monongahela River to where it meets the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River at Pittsburgh.

I did this trip for two reasons. First, I’m raising funds to help clean up the river and keep it clean.  The Clean Water Act of 1972 has caused a 180 degree change in the river, and the days when a catfish couldn't live in the river are over — there are something like 75 fishes thriving in the river, and it's a big bass fishing destination.  Today one of the biggest pollution problems is plastic bottles, aluminum cans and other debris on the surface and washed up on the banks.   

Secondly, I wanted to do this! And I wanted to demonstrate what a great river the Monongahela is for recreation. I have led flatwater kayak tours in the Morgantown area since 1999 and have taken hundreds of people out, and they have all agreed that the river is an overlooked treasure.  I know that in my town, people believe the river is seriously polluted, and I think this mistaken perception leads people to think it’s OK to trash the river – literally and in their thoughts and speech.  I’d like to change that by documenting my trip on a web site and in articles in some local and regional publications.

This year the City of Morgantown (about 20 miles from the river's origin) has allocated $3,000 to support my efforts. I will be taking young people out onto the river to teach them about the environment and to help remove litter along the banks.  We’ll learn to identify trees along the riverbank and the birds we see.  We’ll also identify the various fish in the water and investigate what supports them. I also plan to give them some knowledge of our culture and history through stories about the river.

The young people will also help remove litter along the banks.  At the end of the summer, they will have developed a poster presentation that they can take to school as a project to present in their classes.  A part of all the presentations will be the harmful effects of litter in the environment.  I hope that this will transfer to their peers.  Hey, I'm looking for some financial support; so if you'd like to make a tax-deductible contribution, send me an e-mail!

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