Call for Presenters

The ACA is now seeking high-quality individuals and exceptional organizations to present conference educational sessions and workshops, Instructor Updates, as well as pre- and post- conference skills and certification courses.

This is the premier event for all paddlesports enthusiasts, ACA members, Club Members, Instructors, and Instructor Trainers from all disciplines to share the latest in paddlesport education, instruction, and emerging national trends.

Call for Presenter Packet

Deadline for all submissions: April 2

ACA Public Policy

Outdoor Alliance Reflects on Successful 2009

Washington D.C., January 18th, 2010 — Outdoor Alliance (OA), a coalition of six member-based national outdoor advocacy groups dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of our public lands and waters, is pleased to report significant and measurable progress in 2009. Fighting for the outdoor community across policies including Roadless Area Conservation, Climate Protection and Hardrock Mining Reform, Outdoor Alliance continued to champion the role of public lands while developing new partnerships that will help them meet the challenges 2010 will bring.

“Through the hard work and collaborative efforts of the American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, Winter Wildlands Alliance, Access Fund, American Hiking Society and the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Outdoor Alliance gained traction on all of our major initiatives in 2009”, said Mark Singleton, Executive Director for American Whitewater and Outdoor Alliance Chairman. ”We look forward to further gains that will actively and positively impact outdoor recreation in 2010.”

Roadless Area Conservation was the most active of the Outdoor Alliance policy platforms over the past year. OA’s roadless efforts focused on three areas, the Colorado Roadless Rule, national roadless conservation legislation and efforts with the new administration on the regulatory front.

Outdoor Alliance’s advocacy efforts on climate protection led to an invitation for OA to testify before a U.S. Congressional hearing regarding the role of public lands in combating climate change.

To help the outdoor recreation community better understand what’s at stake with climate change, OA produced two short films; the first, entitled Protect Our Climate was released in October and another will be released as Congress takes up the debate in the new year.

Meanwhile, additional Outdoor Alliance efforts before Congress helped the Senate introduce Hardrock mining reform legislation that built upon a House bill introduced earlier in 2009.

Partners, including long-time allies at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Outdoor Industry Association, National Parks Conservation Association and Defenders of Wildlife continued to play an important role in the Outdoor Alliance’s work over the past year.

In 2009 OA began a more systematic collaboration with both the Conservation Fund and the Trust for Public Land. These partnerships allowed OA to connect with constituents on locally driven conservation efforts as well as amplify the OA voice to advocacy efforts inside the beltway.

Other highlights from 2009 include OA’s participation at the Ninth World Wilderness Congress, an international forum with the goal of exploring the strategic importance of wild lands in the global response to climate change, the development of a global memorandum of understanding between OA and the major U.S. federal land management agencies and coordinated efforts between member organization and the Waterkeeper Alliance to further the Clean Water Restoration Act.

www.americancanoe.org/outdooralliance

Members Only

Exclusive 'Members Only' Backcountry Paddling Opportunities

That's right, if you're an ACA member, you can join the ACA staff on either of two incredible excursions in 2010.

San Juan Islands - Sea Kayaking - Pacific Northwest
Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande - Canoe Camping - Texas / Mexico Border

In cooperation with the host organization, you will be able to paddle with representatives from the ACA National Office, creating a better connection with those working daily on your behalf.

In addition, a percentage of each registration fee goes directly to support the on-going efforts of the ACA on behalf on all paddlers to fulfill our mission of Education, Stewardship, Recreation & Competition.

www.americancanoe.org/excursions

The Touring Canoe Committee

The ACA's Touring Canoe Committee has done it again!

They've recently published a comprehensive newsletter pertaining to events, symposiums, instruction, and unique canoeing articles.

Read the Cross Post

For additional information about Canoe Touring and Freestyle Canoeing click here

Thank you to all of the volunteers on the committee who donate their time and expertise.

The ACA National Office Staff

2010 National Paddlesports Conference

NEWS RELEASE

The date & location for the 2010 ACA National Paddlesports Conference have been announced:

Location: Asheville, NC

Dates: November 5-7, 2010

Preliminary information available at: www.americancanoe.org/nationalpaddlesportsconference

Mark your calendars now, the 3rd annual National Paddlesports Conference is not to be missed!

The Chesapeake Bay

A Treasured Landscape

In response to President Obama's Chesapeake Executive Order, the ACA has partnered with the National Geographic Society, Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail and 20 other notable organizations and agencies in calling for federal support of the Chesapeake Bay Treasured Landscape Initiative.

Read more...

Community Responsibility

In addition to furthering paddlesports Education, Stewardship, Recreation and Competition on a national level, the ACA staff devotes time and energy to the immediate community we call home, Fredericksburg, VA.

Historic battlefields, a growing downtown, and a commitment to an active, outdoor, healthy lifestyle are just some of the characteristics of the greater Fredericksburg area. In addition, the beautiful Rappahannock River provides paddling and wildlife viewing opportunities that range from flatwater to whitewater to tidal.

We are proud to have our national headquarters here and glad that we can give back to the community that has provided us with so much support. Thank you to the citizens and organizations of Fredericksburg and we look forward to working with you throughout 2010.

Read more about the ACA's Community Responsibility initiative.