March Video Madness

Time is definitely marching on.  Jeff and I both questioned this week, " Where did March go?"

A fun project that we engaged in this month was the scavenger hunt for The Noyo Center for Marine Science.  The scavenger hunt was a FUNdraiser to raise money for the Noyo Center and also to celebrate the annual whale festivals in a socially distant way.  We were a business sponsor for the event and we decided to give the scavenger hunt a go.  If you are not familiar with the Noyo Center, please peruse their website.  Their goals are education and conservation and they are based in our backyard - Fort Bragg, California.  All donations are greatly appreciated and we see the results of the money directly in educational programs for all ages and conservation projects like help the kelp.  The center is also raising money to build a state of the art marine science center that will showcase the skeleton of a 70' blue whale that our community worked hard to preserve.

A glance at our YouTube Channel will also show what we've been up to.  There is something for everyone this month there.  I have edited 7 new videos (and 8th one is about to be uploaded later this week).

For the sea kayak rock gardening and surfing audience, I created Vitamin Sea Mendocino -

For fans of the natural beauty of the Mendocino Coast, check out 2 new public lands that have been preserved by another one of our favorite local nonprofits - The Mendocino Land Trust.  

Do you want to go on an adventure with Jeff and I?  Join us virtually for a tandem sea kayak journey from LFK Headquarters to Glass Beach.  Our goal was whale watching but the whales did not want to be seen.  I was on camera duty and Jeff enjoyed taking me for a sporty ride on the sea.

It is getting to be time for our annual spring run off trip . . . we are both very ready for a change of scenery.  As we make plans, we reminisce on previous spring run off trips.  Check out this sea kayak adventure on Oregon's John Day River.  My favorite scenes are the big horn sheep lambs.

If you enjoy our videos, be sure to subscribe to Liquid Fusion Kayaking's YouTube Channel. As you watch our videos, give us a thumbs up and please leave comments.  This keeps us motivated and inspired to keep producing videos.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's Cate and Jeff tandem sea kayaking into Glass Beach on the Mendocino Coast of California.

Giving

The holiday season is upon us.  A habit that I have made each holiday season is giving to the planet.

There are many great environmental nonprofits that are working hard to protect and preserve our waters and lands.  If you are not a member of an environmental nonprofit, I encourage you to seek out one (or two).  Become a member and make a donation. 

Donations are always appreciated but membership is where you can be an asset to an organization.  Membership is important because it gives the organization a bigger voice when working for a cause.  Being a member also puts you on the organization's mailing list so that you stay informed about what is going on and how you can help.  Support isn't always financial but can be in the form of signing petitions, contacting your representatives, attending meetings, and/or volunteering at events.

Volunteering for river and beach cleanups.

I recommend seeking out the nonprofit(s) that speak to your interests and passions.  When I seek out organizations to support,  I look to balance my time and money between large nationwide organizations and small local grassroots organizations.  Personally and through Liquid Fusion Kayaking, Jeff and I donate time and money to numerous nonprofit organizations.  Here are 3 of the organizations that I am currently most passionate about. 

American Whitewater - Founded in 1954, American Whitewater is a national non-profit organization with a mission “to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”  AW is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States, and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve the goals within its mission.  AW works nationwide and in our backyards.  AW has gotten a place at the table for the relicensing of the dams on the Eel River.  Jeff, several other local whitewater boaters, and I attended a meeting in October to give input.

Surfrider Foundation - Not just for surfers - Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of world's ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. 

Check out your local chapter or consider supporting The Mendocino County Chapter .  The Mendocino County Chapter was founded in 2002 and is rallying to increase membership.  We are having bimonthly meetings and working on campaigns for Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Help the Kelp, organizing beach cleanups, and supporting water testing efforts. 

Noyo Center for Marine Science - Prior to 2002, Fort Bragg was a somewhat traditional a blue collar lumber and fishing town on the north coast of California.  Situated on 3 miles of Fort Bragg's Coastline, the Georgia Pacific Lumber Mill comprised about 1/3 of the town.  In 2002, Georgia Pacific Lumber Company shut down the lumber mill in Fort Bragg.  This was a turning point for our little coastal town.  Members of the community met to strategize how to prevent economic disaster and reinvent Fort Bragg.  Many great ideas came from the ashes of the mill including the vision to create a marine science center for research and education.  This was the birth of the Noyo Center for Marine Science.  

Take a few minutes and check out the Noyo Center website which you will find educational, interesting, and informative.  Of course, we like the Crow's Nest Live Video (take a look - you might see us kayaking out there).  Help the Kelp is a research and restoration project that the Noyo Center has spearheaded to address the ecological crisis in our kelp forests.  We have seen first hand the devastation of our kelp forest and are passionate about this project.  It is impressive how much the Noyo Center has done and we are excited about the future for them and our little coastal town. 

As 2018 comes to a close and we look toward the future, I encourage you to consider how you can help make a difference locally and globally.