Protect American River Canyons

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$7,291 raised by 63 donors

100% complete

$6,000 Goal

PARC began in 1972, with its primary mission of opposing construction of Auburn Dam and advocating for the long-term protection of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. Our tools are volunteers, community involvement, and river education. The North and Middle Forks of the American River flow westward through scenic Sierra Nevada canyons. Within these two forks is the Auburn State Recreation Area encompassing 48 river miles and over 30,000 acres that include nationally significant recreational, cultural, and natural features and which draws one million visitors each year from all over California.

PARC has been protecting the North and Middle fork of the American river and canyons for the past 50 years. With a membership and volunteer base of over 500 people, our accomplishments include:

-Working with State and county officials to remove bridge debris from the confluence of North and Middle fork of the American river.
- Published the The American River: Insider's Guide to Recreation, Ecology, and Cultural History of the North, Middle, and South Forks, a 416-page resource guidebook to the canyons (2013);
- Produced 'The Wild and Scenic North Fork American' film/DVD (2013) production

California Wild & Scenic River designation for the North Fork as a way to obtain permanent protection.
- Published the Auburn State Recreation Area Trails and River Map in two versions, paper and waterproof synthetic (2015);
- Sponsors the annual PARC High School Senior Scholarship Essay Contest (since 2012) as an effective means to make contact with the next generation of river advocates and to make them aware of PARC's existence and mission
- Present the "On Tour Wilde Scenic" film festival
- Established the PARC Legacy Fund in partnership with the Placer Community Foundation to build an endowment for financial support for the future (2013)
- Organizes outdoor events, such as hikes, trail maintenance projects, and Paddle Safety Day to help people connect with the watershed and its resources
- Coordinates annual spring and fall river canyon clean-up events (for over 20 years) to promote canyon stewardship
- Collaborates with local land trusts to protect American River watershed lands
- Conducts multimedia watershed education presentations to public and school groups
- Publishes and distributes seasonal newsletters and events calendars
- Collaborated with State of California Attorney General for the closure of the Auburn Dam diversion tunnel and 2007 restoration of the North Fork to its natural channel
- Purchased and continues to oversee over 100 acres of canyon land on the North Fork
- Created and produced annual American River Confluence Festival for 21 years (1992-2012)
- Published a new information brochure

Mission

PARC works to protect and enhance the natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the North and Middle forks of the American River canyons through leadership and collaboration.

Needs

- Safe recreation, HWY 49 bridge removal

- Conservation, CA Wild and Scenic designation for 6 miles of the North Fork

- River cleanups and habitat restoration and non-native invasive plant removal projects

- Access and trail improvements

- Interactive website development

- Social network and smartphone communication enhancement

- Graphic arts and design for enhancement, access and PARC brochure print publications

- Know your American River watershed and PARC video

- Tech support in all areas

- Trailhead signage and restoration supplies, picnic tables and benches

- Interpretive material for American River ecology and citizen science programs

- Map and Guide printing

- Installation of picnic tables in the canyon

- PARC office, W and S Film Festival theater rental

- American River enhancement programs and workshop venue rental

- Booth fees for community outreach

- High school scholarship award fund

- Presenter fund for American River enhancement program including citizen science, American river ecology, Native American and Gold Rush history, safe trails and river recreation and arts workshops

- Project and program professional research

-Video production celebrating 50 years of river conservation.

Equity Statement

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Protect American River Canyons

Year Established

1972

Tax id (EIN)

68-0468121

Mission Category

Environment

Operating Budget

$50,001 - $100,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted, Technology, Furniture, Space: Office or Other

Demographics Served

General population

Local Counties Served

Placer

Address

808 lincoln way
auburn, CA 95603

Service areas

Placer, CA, US

El Dorado, CA, US

Phone

530-537-2241

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