Some information has surfaced on one of two grants that have been discovered by Assistant City Administrator, Larry Green, which could be applied to the Bardstown Whitewater Park.
The Recreational Trails grant offers sums of between $2,500 and $100,000 to communities for trail projects. Recreational Trails grants require matching funds from the applicants, but the percentage of matching funds varies.
According to Samantha Cook, Public Information Officer for the Governor’s Office of Local Development, the average amount awarded to applicant communities for Recreational Trails funds last year was $30,565. Recreational Trails awards could be applied to the whitewater feature construction since the Recreational Trails program makes funds available for water-trails.There is a direct connection between local recreational facilities and public health. The Recreational Trails Program benefits communities, and enhances quality of life.
-From the Governor's Office for Local Development website.
Thanks for your support Bob and good luck in Elizabethtown. We'll see you on the water!While there may be pretty buildings, whitewater and better economics in the future for this town, the people and their attitudes and approach to others is what will make Nelson County a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
-Bob White
The Bardstown Boaters Annual Paddle Pickup will be held on June 9th, 2007.
Dear River Lover,
Last May, you and hundreds of other people led an estimated 60,000 thousand volunteers in cleaning up over 1,000 tons of trash from 100,000 miles of rivers and streams across America. Thank you for making the 2006 National River Cleanup Week the most successful yet!
Now is the time to gear up for next year's event. After 15 years, our good friends at America Outdoors have asked us to take over the reins of National River Cleanup Week.
As the nation's leading advocate for healthy rivers since 1973, American Rivers is excited to expand this popular and successful river protection program to even more watersheds, in many more communities.
Get details about next year's National River Cleanup Week (June 2-10, 2007) by reading the press release below or by visiting the new and improved website: www.nationalrivercleanup.org.
We hope you will continue your participation by registering your cleanup today! Remember, when we all pitch in, America's rivers win.
Clean Streams Forever!
ROB PERKS
Senior Director for Outreach
www.AmericanRivers.org
American Rivers Organizing Nationwide Cleanups
National River Cleanup Week (June 2-10, 2007)
Presented by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Volunteers Wanted: www.NationalRiverCleanup.org
WASHINGTON, DC – Millions of tons of trash wind up in our nation’s rivers and streams every year, and American Rivers is harnessing the environmental passion and community pride of thousands of people to do something about it. The nation’s leading river advocacy organization is encouraging citizens to take part in National River Cleanup Week, presented by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and set for June 2-10, 2007.
This annual event, which kicks off a series of cleanups across the country, falls during National River Awareness Month next year.
Since its inception by America Outdoors in 1992, National River Cleanup Week has helped to raise public awareness of the magnitude of trash accumulating in our nation’s waterways. Over the years more than 500,000 volunteers have participated in over 4,500 cleanups across the country, covering more than 100,000 miles of waterways. This past spring saw a record 422 cleanups, with an estimated 60,000 volunteers removing trash from their local rivers and streams.
“A healthy river is a valuable asset to any community, and we’re encouraging everyone to be a part of a program that has removed over 1,000 tons of litter and debris from beloved rivers and streams all over the nation,” said Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers. “A cleaner river is a healthier one, and healthy rivers benefit all the communities through which they flow.”
Not just a worthy cause, the cleanups also are fun for everyone. That explains why so many environmental organizations, civic clubs, paddle-sports groups, federal and state agencies, and schools organize these events in their local communities.
“You can’t find a more hands-on way to get people directly involved in protecting the rivers they love,” added Wodder.
Anyone wishing to organize a cleanup can do so by first identifying a stretch of river, stream or shoreline, and then registering the event online. The website offers helpful tips for conducting a successful cleanup, including how to recruit volunteers and promote the event to the public. American Rivers supplies trash bags for every cleanup. To register a cleanup or volunteer to participate, visit: www.nationalrivercleanup.org.
As part of its support, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is offering a free coffee mug and coffee sample to organizers who register their cleanup online by April 15, 2007. Corporate sponsors – including Old Town Canoes and Kayaks, Perception kayaks, Wilderness Systems, and Thule car racks – are providing free prizes to lucky volunteers who win various contests (best photo, video, publicity, and student essay).
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Founded in 1973, American Rivers is a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring healthy natural rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. American Rivers has over 65,000 supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions. www.AmericanRivers.org.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is dedicated to providing the richest aroma and flavor, for the highest quality coffee experience. Green Mountain Coffee travels the globe to purchase the finest coffees, batch roast them to peak flavor, and vacuum package them fresh for your enjoyment. www.greenmountaincoffee.com
Here are 5 things we can all do to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions.
Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb
CFLs use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. If every family in the U.S. made the switch, we’d reduce carbon dioxide by more than 90 billion pounds! You can purchase CFLs online from the Energy Federation.
Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
Almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. You could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has more tips for saving energy on heating and cooling.
Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
You’ll save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year with this simple action. You can save another 550 pounds per year by setting the thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.
For more ways to save energy and reduce your impact visit: www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/
Now in the final days of the 2006th year following the first Christmas I look back at the last 350+ days and remember the exciting, adventurous, and communal times spent on and around the waterways of the southern US. I recollect the joys of planning the logistics of a trip; the initial idea of when and where to go, who to bring along, what to pack, where to stay, how to get there, and what to expect. I remember the excitement of the new places I visited this year. I reflect on the social times of bringing along friends and acquaintances to the wonderful places that I had experienced before, and watching them enjoy it, sometimes as much as me.
I feel proud of the work that we have done as a group for the community. The club has gained members and we have all gained friends by showing others that they are not alone in their love for the water and outdoors. We have also proven to the community that we care about the current and future state of our waterways by hosting the second successful Paddle Pickup. Furthermore, we have worked hard to demonstrate the potential of Beech Fork River for local and regional recreation with the push to construct the Bardstown Whitewater Park. I cannot imagine belonging to a more enthusiastic and committed group. I see the Bardstown Boaters continuing the successes of our past and growing on the very enthusiasm and commitment that brings us together.
I must mention my favorite trips of the year:
1. Number one must be my bachelor trip to the Big South Fork.
2. My first trip down the Ocoee. For a long time I had been looking forward to when I would finally have the skill to hit the Ocoee.
3. First miles of the Sheltowee Trace.
4. Paddle Pickup 2006
What are your favorites of the year?
