OURSTREAMS

OURSTREAMS STREAMING CINEMA MAY 2009

2009-04-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

Come check out the latest paddling films by Penstock Productions and River Roots LLC.

We're doing a double header weekend this month. On Saturday May 25, we'll be premiering the films at Chetty's Pub at Class VI River Runners in Fayetteville, WV beginning at 8:00.
On Sunday May 26, we'll be premiering at Clementine's Cafe in Harrisonburg, VA beginning at 8:00. Bring your friends.

As always, there is no cover charge.

We're featuring LVM 29 & Africa Revolutions Tour.

LVM 29 will showcase paddling from the Himalaya, State Series West Virginia vs. Pacific Northwest, Are You Going to Eat That, and many more Sick Segments.

Africa Revolutions Tour tells a story of a group of kayakers traveling around Africa to raise awareness in communities of possible alternative energy solutions in the developing world.

LVM 29 Intro from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.

Blackwater Supermission

2009-03-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

On February 9th 2009, a small group of kayakers gathered in Thomas, WV for a day on the Blackwater River. They paddled the North Fork into the Lower Section.

Brian Kirk, Jake Greenbaum, Jeremy Laucks and Scott Wootten paddled the 15 mile whitewater journey, while several other paddlers chose to do laps on the North Fork.

This 'supermission' allowed the paddlers to get the best of both worlds; low volume steep creeking and big volume river-running. Additionally, they were able to avoid the steep and slippery hike back to the put-in of the North Fork.

Streaming Sunday Cinema

2009-02-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

OURSTREAMS is hosting Streaming Sunday Cinema the fourth Sunday of each month at Clementine Cafe in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.

www.clementinecafe.com

Films start at 7:30 pm. We'll be premiering LVM 29 and Epicocity Project's Film on Papua New Guinea and China.

Free Cover!

$1 Domestics!

T-shirts & DVDs for sale!

Epicocity Project or EP works with National Geographic to provide high quality river expedition and conservation stories.

Here's a clip from their China Expedition.

A River's Last Breath from Epicocity Project on Vimeo.

Lunch Video Magazine (LVM) is a quarterly video magazine made by Penstock Productions. These guys are top of the line whitewater filmmakers. Be prepared to have your noggin rocked.

Here's a couple trailers! Issue #29 will feature West Virginia vs. the Northwest, a trip report from an expedition in Nepal and much much more!!!

Check out www.lvmvideo.com

LVM #27 from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.

Thule Bheri Kayaking Video #1 from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.

Oregon Rafting Team from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.

See you on Streaming Sundays!

"You have no reason to care about water."

2009-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick introduction to the global water management situation.

Perhaps it is time to have no reason to care and just start doing...

This video was made for The World Economic Forum by the Pacific Institute and Circle of Blue.

international water news, visit www.circleofblue.org/waternews

learn about research for People and the Planet visit www.pacinst.org

learn about the World Economic Forum visit www.weforum.org

Stocked Trout Retention Study, Mill Creek

2009-01-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Didymo Study: Jackson River Invasive Species

2009-01-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

OURSTREAMS went into the field on January 22nd 2009 with fisheries biologists, Paul Bugas from the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Dawn Kirk from the US Forest Service. This short film documents an aquatic life study in the Upper James Basin on the Jackson River just below Lake Moomaw in Alleghany County, Virginia.

Didymo is an invasive diatom that has affected many inland waterway ecosystems.

If you go into the Jackson River, please make sure that you do not spread this highly contagious plant to any other rivers.

Maryland has Didymo 'Wader Wash Stations'. Here's how to disenfect.

Here's another video from Tasmania about Didymo:

MONETON C.O.R.E.

2009-01-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

OURSTREAMS is launching a service based recreational education program to raise river conservation awareness in Virginia and West Virginia. MONETON C.O.R.E.(Community Outreach & River Education) provides opportunities for students to make a difference through river experiences. MONETON was a Native American tribe of West Virginia. Moneton translates to "Big Water People" in the Siouan Linguistic Family.

Want to get involved? We need paddling equipment donations. We are recruiting students, instructors, guides and outdoor leaders. This program will be hard work and extremely rewarding. Volunteer your spare time to work, drive, cook, play and help us grow by the river, for the river.

The main objectives of MONETON CORE are:
-improve social, economic and environmental quality (triple bottom line) of watersheds
-increase the value of rivers in Virginia and West Virginia through river community service
-support grassroots river communities
-improve the quality of educational institutions and service learning facilities
-recruit volunteers for existing river conservation groups

Statement of Problem:

Surrounding communities are disengaged with the area’s rich river recreational resources. Water quality is a social and environmental justice issue in the Virginias. Although many river tourism companies exist in the area, very few work with river conservation groups to improve the quality of rivers. A lack of skilled instructors, programmatic infrastructure and cooperation with the local community makes it very difficult to locally access requisite information, instruction and equipment.

Proposed Solution:

Recruit members for MONETON C.O.R.E. to mobilize voluntary public participation in river conservation projects. By providing rewarding benefits to participants, OURSTREAMS helps communities take back the river!

Benefits:
•increased use and value of rivers
•increased volunteer participation for conservation organizations
•meaningful service learning opportunities
•tourism provider capacity building
•improved network of local river users
•tourism destination development
•local whitewater professional training

Program Dates, Locations & Descriptions:

MONETON WEEKEND CORE
March 28-29, April 4-5, April 11-12, April 18-19, April 25-26, May 2-3, May 9-10, May 16-17, May 23-24, May 30-31.

Age Requirements: 21 & up
Paddling Skill Requirements: All skill levels welcome
Location: Virginia & West Virginia
Instructors: Scott Wootten
Service Projects: River Community Service & River Festival Volunteering
Research Topic: Planning & River Community Action
Athletics: Paddling trips

March 23-27 MONETON CORE I

Age Requirements: 14 and up.
Paddling Skill Requirements: Intermediate-Expert (class IV experience)
Location: Fayetteville, West Virginia
Instructors: Scott Wootten,
Service Project: Prenter Community Water Action & Ansted Community Action
Field Trip: Gauley Mountain Top Removal Site
Research Topic: River ecosystem responses to coal mining.
Athletics: A daily dose of West Virginia's Finest whitewater with Local Paddlers after a half day of river community service.

April 6-10 MONETON CORE II

Age Requirements: 14 and up.
Paddling Skill Requirements: Proficient Swimmer, No paddling experience necessary.
Location: Rockingham & Augusta County, Virginia
Instructors: Scott Wootten
Service Project:
Field Trip:
Research Topic:
Athletics: Introduction to paddle sports & whitewater rafting on the Cheat River, WV.

April 13-17 MONETON CORE III

BRCC Spring Break
Age Requirements: 18 and up.
Paddling Skills Requirements:
Proficient Swimmer, No paddling experience necessary.
Location: Rockingham & Augusta County, Virginia
Instructors: Scott Wootten
Service Project:
Field Trip:
Research Topic:
Athletics: Introduction to paddle sports & whitewater rafting in West Virginia.

Mabinogi Project

2008-11-07T04:40:00.000-08:00

WHAT is it?

OURSTREAMS pilot project for the Upper River Severn Basin, Powys UK.
The purpose is to improve access to river recreation in Powys with community outreach education and access management coordination programs.

WHERE is it?

Upper River Severn Basin (including Afon Clywedog, Afon Dulas) and surrounding communities.

WHY?

Whitewater rivers surrounding Llanidloes are excellent for beginner, intermediate and advanced paddlers throughout the year.
High quality whitewater rivers in the area are underused and undervalued.
Local outdoor activity centers are unprepared to fully utilize river recreation resources.
The quality and quantity of whitewater will increase with the affects of climate change.
Climate change presents Powys with an increase in untapped recreational river resources.
Community adaptation to climate change is essential.

HOW?

In order to coordinate accessible information and physical resources needed to enjoy rivers of the area, we propose two programs:

AMPS (Access Management and Participation of Stakeholders)

By engaging relevant stakeholders, we ensure an equitable distribution of benefits to the private and public sectors.
We encourage cooperation between landowners, activity centers, private businesses, schools, county council, water companies, the Environment Agency, tourism affiliates and community members.
Information sharing is a vital aspect to this program.

CORE (Community Outreach & River Education)

While AMPS is being established, we plan to generate interest in river recreation by presenting the project to local clubs, schools and various social groups.
By introducing children to kayaks in the swimming pool, leading river cleanups in exchange for affordable kayaking lessons, coordinating training courses for activity center instructors and organizing river festivals, the Mabinogi Project will make a difference in Llanidloes by improving river recreation access.

BENEFITS:

tourism destination development
increase use and value of the rivers
creation of a paddling club
affordable opportunities for locals
activity center capacity building
increased environmental awareness
climate change adaptation
improved network of local river users
established river access points
local whitewater professional training

WHEN?

TBA

WHO?

The Mabinogi Project is administered in association with OURSTREAMS and Llani Ltd.