From recorded voices and historic collections to gatherings that shape what comes next.
Our Work
What We Hope to Make Possible
The Whitewater Heritage Project
The Whitewater Heritage Project is being developed to find, document, and preserve the stories and materials that shaped American whitewater. Through oral histories, photographs, artifacts, and archives, it will create a lasting record for generations to come.
The Whitewater Heritage Summit
The Whitewater Heritage Summit is being developed as a national gathering for the whitewater community to share stories, exchange ideas, and build connections across rivers and generations. Together, participants will help preserve the history of whitewater while inspiring its future.
Education & Leadership Development
Education and leadership development is envisioned as a way to carry the knowledge, lessons, and experience of whitewater forward. Through future programs, gatherings, and the Center for Whitewater Heritage and Leadership, the Initiative will create opportunities for river professionals to learn, connect, and strengthen the industry for generations to come.
Every lasting effort has to begin somewhere
Our Founding Priorities
The Whitewater Heritage Initiative is in its founding stage. Our first priorities are focused on preserving what is most at risk, bringing the right people together, and building the partnerships and structure needed to turn a shared vision into a lasting national resource.01
Bring together founding leadership, establish the organizational framework, and develop the partnerships needed to guide the Initiative forward.
BUILD THE FOUNDATION
02
Identify stories, collections, photographs, artifacts, and records at risk of being lost and begin the work of documenting them.
BEGIN PRESERVATION
03
Create opportunities for people across whitewater to contribute their knowledge, experiences, ideas, and perspectives to what the Initiative becomes.
GATHER A COMMUNITY
04
Collaboratively shape the Center for Whitewater Heritage and Leadership and the Initiative's long-term future.
ENVISION WHAT COMES NEXT