Paddle For The Planet (April 26)

[Tmuse]

I should be fit as a fiddle by April, so count me and my crew in. Tim muse

[Jeremy M]

Thanks everyone for such a positive response. I'm curious...What are some of the local environmental issues that people are planning on paddling for?

I think Kristal and I are going to be paddling for more recycling opportunities in Hot Springs and to Keep Lee Creek Free.

[Tmuse]

I would like some sort of road side clean up to get started around the state since we are the natural state, we should have clean roads. Thats what we are paddling for. Go Green, quit throwing out your trash save it for recycling.Tim muse

[RichardL]

alternative fuel, easier access to recycle and more of it, lee creek, and don't forget all the people that get in boats, cars, trucks, yards, etc. and just throw their trash on the ground.

[JTarver]

I will be paddling for Lee Creek, as it has become close to my heart since I've gotten to paddle it a few times, obviously more recycling here in benton ( we have some but need a better set up ) and For the Humane societies in the area. I feel accountability for cruelty and neglect should be more appropriately addressed and enforced.

Just a few things that are in the forefront for me.

Joe

[martinm]

Jeremy, count me in too, thanks for doing this. I'll try and recruit some other folks.

Martin

[DeBo]

I will be paddling for SFLR, Archy Fork, Middle Fork of Little Red, Cadron Creek and others that are being hit hard by natural gas development. These guys make the even the highway department look like a little girl making mud pies on the bank when it comes to the loads of sediment they are dumping in these creeks.

[Trismegistus]

Thank You Debo.

[Jeremy M]

Wow...over 800 reads...This is amazing! I want to start by thanking everyone for the encouraging words and verbal support. All of the sponsors are in and the t-shirts are ordered. Everything is in place for this event. Now all we need are the paddlers. I know its a long ways off, but it is going to take all of us to make this event a success and give people a chance to be heard. The more paddlers we have, the bigger the statement...the bigger the statement, the more validity we have when going before local and state goverments/agencies to present the list of environmental issues people were passionate enough about to join over 350 of their peirs to paddle for the planet.

So, its time to get signed up and commit to be there April 26, 2009 and Paddle for the Planet! Its the weekend before Canoe School...what a fun way to get jazzed up about both paddling and the environment. Anyone that has a kayak should show up and bring a friend.

Visit http://www.paddle4theplanet.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and click "Registration", scroll to the bottom of the page and download the registration form...mail it in....and Shazam!!! You're signed up.

Once again thanks for the support. Lets get more than 350 boats out there!

[Jeremy M]

Hey Everyone. There are a few things that I wanted people to be aware of. First, How important it is that you pre-register for the event!! This is giving us an idea on how many people we need to expect, so we know if 1000 boats are going to show up and we can make the proper arrangements.

Also, one big question that has popped up is how to volunteer. Well, it's a simple as sending an email to info@paddle4theplanet.com and telling us you want to volunteer on the day of the event. Please include your contact info so we can get in touch with you closer to the actual day of the event.

Another thing I wanted to get out there was the actual "Order of Operations" for the day of the event. I've had some questions concerning this and by putting it out there early, it should reduce the amount of controlled chaos on April 26. Below is a map of Entergy Park, just off Carpenter Dam Road in Hot Springs. When you arrive it will be important to drop your boat off first at the "Boat Staging/Launch Area" Then enter the park, find a parking space, and come to the registration/check in Pavilion. After you check in or register, hang out until around 9:30 or 10:00 when we will move to the water to...Paddle for the Planet!!

P4P Park Map small.jpg (190.26 KiB) Viewed 1852 times

[Cowper]

OK, I'll quit procrastinating and go register officially.

What to paddle for? So many issues...

OK, so here's one folks wouldn't guess from all my chainsaw jokes and
my "in your face" lumberjack tee shirt:

I'm paddling for more trees. When I'm just driving around, everywhere I look I see one more field
where there used to be a stand of trees, one more well pad, one more pipeline, one more road,
one more yard or homesite, one more new store or new shopping center, one more
new sub-division. I know we feed the planet, but I believe a future with fewer people and more trees
would improve the quality of life for everyone on the planet.

[Jeremy M]

Alright,

So I'm gonna "brow beat" you guys some more....

Almost 1200 reads on this thread, which is AWESOME!!! However, so far as of today (3-6-09)
only 53 people have pre-registered... I'm guessing its because April 26 is so far away, but the cut off for
the free t-shirt is to pre-register before April 1, 2009 and that's No Foolin.

Go to http://WWW.PADDLE4THEPLANET.COM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and print off your registration and send it in!

Also, I'd like to note that this is a rain or shine event. To make a big enough statement about our local environmental
issues and what we'd like to see our legislators care about as well, we'll need every available boat in Arkansas. Even if
you're friends don't own a canoe or kayak, we'll have plenty donated by Arkansas State Parks for them to paddle.

I'm inviting channels 4, 7, and 11 so you might even get to be on the television

This is an ALL CALL. Get registered, get heard, Lets Get 350 Canoes/Kayaks PADDLING FOR THE PLANET!!!

Thanks again for all of the positive feedback, constructive criticism, and volunteers...

[Karla]

Add two more to the list. Gary and I signed up today.

Karla

[stormcrow]

My grandparents would like to know "the best place to park to watch all the boats go by".

[Lifejacket]

I think the best place would be from signing up and being in a boat even if some one else is paddling it for them.