California River Awards

Friends of the River’s largest annual fundraiser, their “California River Awards” dinner, will be held on Friday, October 24, 6-10 pm at the Presidio Officers Club in San Francisco.  This year’s awards will honor Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and State Treasurer Bill Lockyer.

The night’s festivities are an opportunity to socialize, pay tribute to Chouinard and Lockyer, honor F.O.R.’s past accomplishments and support F.O.R.’s ongoing efforts to protect California’s rivers.  … and drink fine wines and microbrewed beers, eat some stellar food, and bid on some great vacation trips in a silent auction – including an O.A.R.S. raft trip on the Green River through the Gates of Lodore.

All money raised will go to support Friends of the River’s river conservation work across the state.  Current projects include restoring the Klamath River, obtaining Wild and Scenic status protection for central coast rivers, fighting against the ill-conceived Temperance Flat dam and Sites Reservoir and many more.  For more information on the event, and  F.O.R., go here.

Maybe it’s just me, but I wonder why O.A.R.S. Founder and President, George Wendt, isn’t going to be honored.  He is, after all, an ideal candidate… George was one of the founding members of Friends of the River (F.O.R.) during the fight to save the Stanislaus River.  Next year marks the 40th anniversary of O.A.R.S., and since 1969, George (and his company) has donated more than $3 million to environmental causes while contributing countless hours of his time and staff resources.  There are few organizations in the whitewater rafting and adventure travel industry that are as committed to sustainable travel and continually raising the bar on the environmental front.  He – like Yvon Chouinard – has repeatedly proven that making money and protecting the environment can go hand-in-hand.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Yvon Chouinard is worthy of the recognition!  (and for the record, my closet is full of Patagonia clothing/gear)  Maybe we’ll see George honored by F.O.R. in 2009…  (In fact, I think I’ll contact F.O.R. and let them know I think George should be honored next year!)