Events

MOUNT SHASTA BIOREGIONAL ECOLOGY CENTER RAFTING FUNDRAISER ...

Save Sunday Sept. 15th on your calendars for this years most fun, smiling and chocolaty event.

River rafting, nature appreciation, and organic desserts will delectably combine for the “7th Annual Day on the River ~ a Sweet Extravaganza”, a “fun-raising” event planned by the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center. This seventh annual river trip will be Sunday, September 15th, on the Tree of Heaven run of the Klamath River.

The non-profit Ecology Center’s mission is to preserve the pristine Mount Shasta bioregion for future generations. This is a unique opportunity for locals to show support of the organization’s service to our communities, while enjoying rafting a designated Wild and Scenic River replete with wildlife sightings and surprises around every bend.

Two fascinating highlights along the journey will be our mystery guest, well respected for his knowledge of local water and environmental issues, who will share speaking during the day with wildlife biologist Julian Colescott, who will enliven youngsters and oldsters alike with his passion for tracking and birding. Colescott also plans to keep the kids interested with long poled nets to capture and examine frogs and he also expects to examine some interesting snakes and animal tracks along the way.

The trip will start at the popular Tree of Heaven run, meandering along a 7-mile stretch of gentle Class 2 and 3 rapids. This section of the Klamath is known as a wonderful introduction to river rafting. Novices, as well as children 4 and up, are welcomed to join the day’s fun. Experienced rafters and kayakers are also encouraged to join in celebrating the end of the summer rafting season, scrumptious sweet treats featuring delicious dark and very popular chocolate, and a relaxed day on the river with Mount Shasta friends and family who value the Ecology Center’s contributions to our special bioregion.

Last year’s trip was a huge success. The Ecology Center had over 60 people participate, 9 rafts, 6 kayaks, donations of over 150 bars of organic dark chocolate, 4 trays of organic peaches, and 4 organic watermelons. People had a great time. Smiles were abundant all day. Lots of kids had their first rafting adventure and everybody went home both full of great stories and delicious chocolate.

The trip is ideal for a nature experience, and wildlife lovers are likely to see blue herons, playful otters, turtles basking in the sun, and possibly even a bear lured by salmon runs. Warm deep pools for swimming, or floating along the gentle riffles, will please both cautious and adventurous swimmers alike. Professional rafters will be leading the fleet, and River Dancers will again be a sponsor of the event.

And if river rafting isn’t enough, trip-goers will have their sweet teeth well satisfied with a delectable assortment of fresh local organic fruits, and chocolate delights along the way.

Ecology Center trip organizer Shantam Sheptow encourages newcomers, as well as experienced local rafters and kayakers to join us. “I would love to see a large and happy flotilla of friends, celebrating the river, and joining to appreciate the Ecology Center for their tremendous accomplishments in protecting our bioregion over the past two decades.”

Donation requested to join this wonderful day in the sun is $85 for adults and $55 for kids under 18. Details can be found at the Ecology Center’s website, www.mountshastaecology.org, or call the Ecology Center at 926-5655 or 926-2363. Advance reservations are recommended, as the trip was completely full last year.