Q & A
Meet Our Volunteers, 2009
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The following were our well deserved Rafting Program volunteer award winners for 2009!
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Some of our Volunteers of the Year from 2008 share with us how they came to know and become passionate about rivers and Friends of the River, what they feel about our rivers’ future, and words of wisdom if you are thinking about getting involved.
Thank you, all of our volunteers, for keeping California flowing!
Melony Vance
Q: What is your first remembered river experience?
A: I spent my childhood summers on the Yuba River out of Downieville (pop 325), the daughter of a gold miner. Those days spent playing in the river all day were my favorite memories and the reason I moved to the Central Sierras.
Q: How did you come into the FOR family?
A: Ever since I rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, I've wanted to be a river guide. When I overheard someone talking about the rafting program at Friends of the River, I knew this was my opportunity.
Q: Favorite thing about FOR?
A: The great people I've met - from my fellow guidelings, guides and trainers, to the FOR staff, and all of the enthusiastic members who've come out to experience rafting on the South Fork of the American River.
Q: How do you see our rivers future?
A: Times are changing and so are our rivers. Our California history didn't show much regard for our rivers, except in how they could give us access to what we wanted - first gold, then water. However, with organizations like FOR we can change that perspective and look at rivers as resources, not only for water, but for their inherent beauty, recreational opportunities, and importance to an ecosystem that supports a huge variety of living beings.
Steve DeOreo
Q: How did you come into the FOR family?
A: Years later, I attended Project Great Outdoors' guide school on the South Fork American River. The following summer (2008), I learned that Friends of the River had a program called River Quest, which shares a goal similar to Project GO's: to improve the lives and prospects of underprivileged and under-served youth by taking them rafting on the South Fork. Well, I couldn't sign up fast enough, and I've been guiding for FOR ever since.
Q: Favorite thing about FOR?
A: Environmental activism often deals in rhetoric, incomprehensible statistics, or abstractions. In contrast, FOR's rafting program allows us to teach a very powerful, concrete lesson about river conservation: In the middle of a fun, exciting, sporty and scenic rafting day, we can ask our participants to ponder the connection they've made with the river that day, and then try to imagine life if the river were suddenly gone. By helping our membership forge that actual, visceral connection to any river, I believe that we energize even the most zealous river conservationists to a new level of commitment to the cause. I feel very lucky to be a part of that.
Q: What would you say to those newly interested in river conservation?
A: Make a personal connection to your local river ecosystem- boat it, hike it, swim in it...something! It's much easier to want to save something if you love it. Then find out what the local issues are, and find out how you can help. I am not a professional activist or a river conservation expert, but I've found a way to help rivers by doing something that I truly enjoy. I think that if everyone could incorporate rivers into their personal lives even in some small way, then the conservation battle would be a lot easier to win.
Jodi Shepherd
Q: What is your first remembered river experience?
A: My first remembered river experience is fishing with my family in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area in the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon. It is a place my family has camped at for decades and was always special to us. I remember the river was clear and cold and we fished for rainbow trout. Also, growing up in the The Dalles, Oregon on the Columbia River, the river was always a part of life.
Q: Favorite river experience? Favorite river?
A: My favorite river experience with FOR was when I was the Trip Organizer for a member outing this summer. It was great to put everything together, all of the guides, gear, and day went very well. The members said they had a wonderful time, I even got letters of appreciation from members on the trip. There is a lot of work that goes into member trips and it is terrific when it all comes together.
Q: What would you say to those newly interested in river conservation?
A: Get involved! FOR makes it so easy to become involved by getting out on the river, river education, and helping out with tabling events. Every time I go out with FOR I learn more about the organization, river conservation, and natural history.
Stacy Alyse Wieser
Q: Favorite thing about FOR?
A: The community. Amazing people from diverse backgrounds that have the common enthusiasm and affinity for the river and rafting. There is a fantastic fellowship and people are embraced.
Q: Favorite river experience? Favorite river?
A: Every day on the river is a good day! I really liked the natural hot springs on the East Fork Carson. I work an intense, fasted paced job and I am constantly engaged with technology. Being on the river allows me to unplug and connect with nature. I can relax, be still and present in nature. It is a great place to be!
Q: How do you see our rivers future?
A: In jeopardy. I think it is important to educate the public with the facts so people can make informed decisions. I work to preserve, restore and sustain free flowing waterways because I want to share this awesome experience with future generations.
Q: What would you say to those newly interested in river conservation?
A: Welcome! Volunteer with FOR. Get educated. Spread the word.
