TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Two businessmen will take
time off from work to bicycle, hike and kayak across the United States
beginning late this summer, to raise awareness and funds for restoring and
protecting America's rivers. Jeff Graft, a 34-year old Regional Manager of
Pirates' Cove Adventure Golf of Traverse City, Michigan and Matt Brown, a
33-year old former fly fishing shop owner and professional river fishing guide
from Salida, Colorado, will travel over 5,000 miles to help support the
habitat improvement and erosion control efforts of the Conservation Resource
Alliance (CRA) and the American Rivers organization.
"Everyone can't leave their work to pursue a cause, but Matt Brown and I
believe the rivers in America are too endangered to be ignored," said Jeff
Graft. "We also want to show that conservation efforts don't have to be
built upon increased regulations or lawsuits, but can be built upon a better
understanding of the consequences of our interaction with nature."
The 4-month long cross-country trek, called the "National River Care
Expedition," will begin in Bella Bella, British Columbia on August 15 and
end on or about Christmas Day this year.
Both the CRA and American Rivers are confident many corporations will
join others already donating toward the event because nearly two-thirds of
Americans, approximately 130 million consumers, report they would be likely
to switch brands (65%) or retailers (61%) to one associated with a good cause
(Cone/Roper report 1999).
Current contributors include: Cabela's, Coca Cola (Dasani, Powerade),
Coleman, Exstream, GoLite, Harmony, Meijer, Perception (Kayaks) and Stren
(Remington Arms).
The River Care Program managed by the CRA and conducted in Northwest
lower Michigan (a nationally recognized water recreation destination) and programs
from the American Rivers Foundation, collaborate with local citizens,
businesses and governmental agencies to build partnerships for improving
water quality, conserving soil, preventing erosion and enhancing wildlife
habitats.
