Meet Me at the River Another Big Success

September 28, 2010

River Forum Staff

For the third year, the River Forum’s Meet at the River Expeditions introduced people to the Spokane River. In 2010, there were fifteen river trips and 150 intrepid participants. Because many people floated one or more sections of the river, the total passenger count was 241.

Said Tonilee Hanson, who coordinates the program, “Eco-tours are what make these expeditions unique. We want everyone to have fun. Just as importantly, we want people to know more about the river and encourage others to do the same.”

This year the Forum celebrates with pictures the four new people who can say they floated the entire 111 miles of the Spokane River: Judy Fitzpatrick, Kat Hall, Bill Malone and Dana Malone. These and ten others are now in the Forum’s Spokane River All the Wayers Hall of Fame.

According to Rick Eichstaedt with Spokane Riverkeeper, you can see the effects of the program. “I look out my my window in West Central and there are more and more people then ever on the river. I see the same thing when I raft in the Valley. People are discovering the river.”

Continues Eichstaedt, “Our Riverkeeper Bart Mihailovich is working with the Forum and others to develop better access and educational outreach. It’s just a great community resource we should all enjoy as well as protect.”

Keeping costs low is part of the River Forum’s commitment to opening up the river to everyone. This year, the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau and the Washington Foundation for the Environment stepped up to make these trips possible.

Said Andy Dunau, Executive Director of the Forum, “Without sponsors, partnerships with outfitters, and volunteers this doesn’t happen.”

Since the trips began in 2008, 391 unique individuals have experienced at least one section of the river. Said Dunau, “If the Forum received twenty dollars for every person who says ‘I’ve lived here for years and never knew how cool this is,’ it’d be a great fundraiser.”

Hanson also noted the importance of the Spokane River Passport. “We track each section you float and put your personal passport online. Over two or three years, people really get into making it down the whole river.”

Thank you to our sponsors and partners: Spokane Parks and Recreation, ROW Adventures, NW Whitewater Association, FLOW Adventures, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Lands Council, Spokane Regional Health District, City of Spokane Water Department and Vino’s.

See you next year !!!!!