This past February, ACA Florida State Director, Wayne Douchkoff, teamed up with Jill Lingard, president of the Florida Paddling Trails Association, to present their Paddlers Environmental Toolkit Training (PETT) program to paddling clubs in the communities of Naples and Punta Gorda, Florida.
The program has received a previous L.L. Bean Club Fostered Stewardship Grant from ACA in the past. Capitalizing on their love of nature, PETT program leaders educate about waterway environments, how to limit impacts on wildlife & their habitats, and empower paddlers to serve as waterway stewards. The stewardship component of the program includes information on how to lead waterway cleanups, report environmental issues to appropriate local & regional agencies, and be the “eyes and ears” of Florida’s paddling trails. Wayne & Jill are looking forward to taking the PETT program to additional paddling groups throughout Florida in the future.
To learn more about Florida Paddling Trails Association: http://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/
To learn more about L.L. Bean sponsored Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Grant Program: www.americancanoe.org/LLBean_CFS_Grant