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We started Canoe the Caney because we have a passion for the outdoors and love to share that passion with others. After all, rivers are essential to the human experience. But our commitment to conservation goes beyond our love of nature. As a canoe and kayak outfitter, a pristine, beautiful river is the lifeblood of the services we provide, our customers’ enjoyment, and for the wildlife that inhabits the area. For those reasons, we provide conservation education to our customers, support conservation efforts through our Wildlife Sponsorship Program, and promote youth learning. And we’d like to share some practical ways you can protect our rivers, too.

How you can protect our rivers

We believe that our lakes, streams, and rivers, and the wildlife that inhabit them are an invaluable gift to humanity. Canoe the Caney has instituted a “clean as you go” program with our staff and our customers. It facilitates the elimination of trash on the water, their banks and their shorelines. We also work with local, state and federal governments to ensure the health and safety of the wildlife who make their homes among our waterways, preserving them and their offspring for generations to come.

In addition, we always encourage paddlers to help keep our river clean by properly disposing of their trash. We also love it when our customers take the initiative to “clean as you go” and collect trash they spot along the river. And as always, we’ll take it off your hands when we pick you up.

For more intentional clean up, check local conservation societies for river and stream cleanup volunteer opportunities.

Did you know there are many ways you can help maintain pristine rivers, even when you’re not on the water? Everyone’s daily habits can have either positive or negative impacts on our waterways in many ways. 

Consider these steps for protecting our waterways:

1. Pick up trash on driveways, roadways, and sidewalks. Most runoff from rain and water sources like hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation will eventually make it back to streams and rivers. Along the way, runoff collects trash, which goes along for the ride, often for miles. Much of the trash you see along stream beds and river banks comes from runoff, not from other paddlers.
   
2. Choose natural and biodegradable cleaners, pesticides, and fertilizers. Just like solid trash, liquid cleaners and fertilizers eventually make it into local streams and rivers. Making sure they’re biodegradable goes a long way toward keeping our waterways healthy, fresh, and teeming with wildlife.
   
3. Dispose of toxic liquids appropriately. Properly disposing of toxic chemicals or other harmful liquids, like used oil from vehicles, keeps them out of streams and rivers. Never pour them down the drain in your house or in the street.
   
4. Start planting! Anything with roots can help prevent erosion. Therefore, planting trees, shrubs, bushes and other growing things is a boon for waterways. High rates of erosion contribute to sediment buildup in waterways, which can harm wildlife. Just remember to plant varieties that require little to no fertilization. Choosing native plants is even better for local biodiversity and healthy landscapes and rivers.
   
5. Donate. Conservation societies and clubs are often strapped for cash, relying primarily on volunteers to do most of the work. Your contributions can help them advertise staff and volunteer openings and get the word out about the importance of conservation.

Our streams and rivers are a public trust, available for everyone to enjoy, and the responsibility of everyone to preserve. These are just a few of the many ways you can protect our rivers and keep our waterways beautiful and accessible.