2 New Crosstrek Hybrids Join the ACA Subaru Fleet

We're proud to call Subaru the official vehicle of the ACA, and we're super excited to welcome two new Crosstrek Hybrids to our fleet of Subaru vehicles!

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emissions All-Wheel Drive hybrid crossover vehicle in America. It can also go off-road and clear 8.7 inches of bumps, rocks, and drifted sand and snow. 

In other words, it's easier on the environment AND equipped for adventure! The Crosstrek is also ACA office dog-approved. 

Stella gives the Crosstek her paw-stamp of approval.

Subarus make our various paddlesport initiatives possible. Our Stewardship Coordinator uses the Outback to help haul the marine debris collected during Paddle Green clean-up events to the local recycling center. To increase ACA membership and support paddlesports recreation, the ACA Membership Coordinator drives the Forester to paddlesports events throughout the country. Our Education Coordinator uses her Crosstrek to get to rivers, lakes, and other instruction locations. 

ACA employees depend on their Subarus to get them to work safely in the morning, and home again at night. Subaru helps us make the world a better place to paddle. Every day. 

New Name, Same Great Content

The spring edition of Talking Trash (formerly Stewardship Newsletter) is hot off the press!

In this issue:

• Wendy & Tinkerbell, Pelicans Spreading the Message About the Dangers of Marine Debris
• Kayakswarm: Paddling Science on a New Level
• Rawanduz River Expedition
• Upcoming Paddle Green Events  

Check out the spring edition of Talking Trash today.

Want to be featured in the next issue? Please submit a story here. 

Keeping it Green with L.L.Bean

The ACA has had an overwhelming response to the L.L.Bean Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) grant. We've received over 25 grant proposals this year! Thank you to everyone who applied. 

The 2014 application is now closed, but we'll be announcing the awarded CFS grants later this month. Stay tuned.

Yay, stewardship! 

Cowper Chadbourn & crew remove an abandoned boat from the Saline River in AR.

Volunteers Needed for a Clean-Up in Fredericksburg, VA

Please join us for a clean-up this Saturday in Fredericksburg, VA. Protect the Rapp from marine debris!

What: A clean-up event that will focus on removing litter before it makes it into our beloved Rappahannock River
Where: 503 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (we will meet outside the new ACA office)
When: March 1, 2014, 9am-12pm

More info here. 

Can't make it to the clean-up this Saturday? There are lots of other ways to help. Learn more about the ACA's Stream to Sea Initiative, grab some Paddle Green Bags, and start keeping track of all your hard work with our Track Trash form.  

Telling a New Story About Iraq's Natural Resources

The ACA is proud to support the Rawanduz River Expedition, a collaborative effort to raise awareness about the endangered rivers in Iraq.

Environmental protection in Iraq is complicated by negative perceptions of the country. The Rawanduz River Expedition is hoping to change these attitudes by showing people the true beauty of Iraq's waterways, inspiring stewardship and conservation of the region's last wild rivers. 

The Rawanduz Gorge.

What is the Purpose of the Expedition?

Championed by Nature Iraq, an Iraqi non-governmental organization, the Rawanduz River Expedition has two main goals: 

1. Lead a kayak expedition down the Rawanduz River of Kurdistan, northern Iraq, in the spring of 2014 with a team of professional kayakers, river advocates, and a videographer who will conduct outreach to local communities raising awareness about river threats.
2. Tell the story of the expedition through a short film, which will chronicle this record-setting first kayak expedition down the full length of the Rawanduz River in northern Iraq. The film will be used to raise awareness locally and internationally, showcasing the tourism potential of these rivers and demonstrating how they can be protected and used sustainably. 

How Can I Help?
First, read the full press release here, or watch the video below to learn more:

Then, be sure to visit the expedition's official indiegogo campaign site to show your support for this important project. 

The ACA is proud to be an official sponsor of the Rawanduz River Expedition (as well as its predecessor project, the Tigris River Flotilla.) For more information, please contact ACA International Paddlesports Ambassador, Dave Burden. 

Protect the Rapp From Marine Debris

Fast fact: 
Approximately 6.14 million tons of debris enter marine environments each year, and 80% of it originates as land-based trash.

Our Membership Coordinator Amy Ellis picks up trash like a boss.

Become a part of the solution! Join us for a clean-up in Fredericksburg, VA. 

Who: The ACA staff & awesome volunteers like you
What: A clean-up event that will focus on removing litter before it makes it into the Rappahannock River
Where: 503 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (we will meet outside the new ACA office)
When: March 1, 2014, 9am-12pm

Can't make it? There are lots of other ways to help. Learn more about the ACA's Stream to Sea Initiative, grab some Paddle Green Bags, and start keeping track of all your hard work with our Track Trash form. 

The 2014 Winter Stew News is Out!

In this issue:

• Environmental Stewardship 
• NOAA Marine Debris Program 
• Deschutes Clean-up
• Clean-up Data from 2013
• Project Baseline
• Stewardship Spotlight

Read it online here.

Want to be featured in the next ACA Stewardship Newsletter? We accept submissions through our website! Please contact our Stewardship Coordinator if you have any questions, comments, or feedback regarding the newsletter. 

A Grant for Green Paddlers

Since 2002, the ACA has partnered with L.L. Bean to sponsor the Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program--and we're thrilled to continue this partnership in 2014!

CFS grants are available for projects that utilize volunteers in efforts to:

• protect, maintain, and restore recreational waterways 
• provide for or improve public access
• enhance safe navigation 

Application packets available now! 

Introducing the All-New ACA Paddle Green Bag!

Abrasion-resistant. Durable. Made with environmentally-friendly dyes. The ACA is proud to present its new paddle green bag--now stronger than ever!

Get yours today.

And when your Paddle Green Bag is too worn to collect any more trash, simply send it back to the ACA for our Second Life Recycling Program.

Paddle Green

Check out the ACA's brand new Marine Debris Resource page! 

It's your one-stop-source for websites, videos, articles, laws, and other relevant information pertaining to the marine debris problem.

Become a part of the solution, and paddle sustainably with the ACA!

And the Winner is..

Congratulations to Cowper Chadbourn, winner of our Marine Debris Photo Contest!

Do you want to participate in a clean-up event near you? Visit our website or contact our Stewardship Coordinator for more information!

Down With Plastic Cups!

The ACA is pleased to have partnered with Kleen Kanteen to offer the ACA 16oz Stainless Steel Pint Cup. Made of 18/8, food-grade stainless steel, it is durable, versatile, reusable, doesn't retain or impart flavors, and is dishwasher safe. It won't break like glass pints, and it won't fill the garbage can or landfill like the ubiquitous red cup. This multi-use cup is perfect for any beverage and great for any occasion. 

Order your ACA 16oz Stainless Steel Pint Cup from the ACA eStore and raise your pint in a toast to the end of the plastic cup!

NOAA's Art Contest for Kids

Spread the word! The NOAA Marine Debris Program's annual "Keep the Sea Free of Debris" Art Contest is now open.

Bring out the crayons and markers. This is a great way for kids to make a big difference, helping raise awareness about the global marine debris problem and the ways we can solve it.

Artwork by Brianna V. (Grade 3, California)

Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to submit artwork until December 16. The thirteen winners will be featured in the 2015 marine debris calendar.

Read more about the contest rules...