It's a Shore Thing

It's A Shore Thing... at the Caribbean!
Annual Auction & Dinner
Saturday, April 4th
Community Center at Mercer View

It's become a tradition in the Northwest paddling community to look forward to the annual Washington Water Trails Auction. This is WWTA's main public fundraiser and supports the organization's activities -- environmental advocacy, volunteer site stewardship, Leave No Trace education, the list is endless -- that are vital to the health of our local waters and to our ability to access them.

This year, with items like the one below (from the news on WWTA's web site) popping up wherever you look, it's crucial to help out in any way we can. If you can't get there, donate an auction item. Send a cash donation. Or at least, if you haven't done it yet, JOIN WWTA!

Special thanks to Dan Henderson and his crew at Cascade Canoe & Kayak for their support of WWTA and their sponsorship of the auction.

Budget Proposal Threatens to Close Four Cascadia Marine Trail Sites

The Governor’s proposed 2009-11 budget reflects the critical state of the national economy. Services and spending are being cut across the board, including funding for parks and recreation. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission budget proposal for the next biennium, which begins July 1, aims for a $10 million reduction. This budget cut includes reductions in equipment replacement, administration, services, and a move to “mothball” or close 15 parks and expand seasonal park closures. State Parks will close and seek other public owner-operators for 13 parks deemed by the Commission as “not consistent” with the Centennial 2013 Vision (premier destinations or places of regional or statewide significance). Among the park closures, are four key Cascadia Marine Trail Sites: Kopachuck, Fay Bainbridge, Joemma Beach, and Fort Ward. In addition, a new site was planned for Old Fort Townsend, another park slated for closure. WWTA will advocate to keep the Cascadia Marine Trail Sites open and available for overnight use by non-motorized boaters if and when ownership of these important sites changes. Stay tuned to the email newsletter or Easy Current News for more information, as it becomes available. You can help! Call or write to voice your support today!