I Can Paddle! 2011

A project of: Education and interpretive services

Quick Facts

Status: 
Complete
Activity Type: 
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected 
Roseau, Rice, Lac qui Parle, Mille Lacs, Winona, Traverse, Lake, Pipestone, Red Lake, Steele, Pine, Chippewa, Wilkin, Rock, Brown, Grant, Clearwater, Isanti, Goodhue, Ramsey, Lyon, Freeborn, Dakota, Fillmore, Mower, Martin, Cass, Pennington, Carver, Blue Earth, Koochiching, McLeod, Itasca, Renville, Stearns, Jackson, Cook, Nobles, Crow Wing, St. Louis, Swift, Morrison, Carlton, Norman, Wright, Washington, Marshall, Kandiyohi, Wadena, Sherburne, Murray, Kanabec, Todd, Lake of the Woods, Watonwan, Sibley, Douglas, Pope, Benton, Faribault, Yellow Medicine, Anoka, Clay, Lincoln, Chisago, Hennepin, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Meeker, Beltrami, Otter Tail, Big Stone, Dodge, Mahnomen, Nicollet, Hubbard, Redwood, Waseca, Stevens, Houston, Kittson, Becker, Wabasha, Scott, Polk, Olmsted, Aitkin
Many people are interested in paddling but don’t have the equipment or expertise to head out on their own. The “I Can Paddle!” program is designed to provide participants with first-hand opportunities to learn basic skills necessary for planning and taking a safe, fun and efficient canoe trip on both Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. New in 2011, the “I Can Paddle!” program saw much success and received rave reviews from participants. 10 programs were hosted between June and August providing 166 participants with paddling opportunities. Throughout the summer participants often had wonderful things to say about the program, most commonly participants stated they enjoyed the small group sizes and they enjoyed learning from experienced and entertaining instructors.

About the Issue

After some 50 years of growth, nature-based recreation turned a corner in the 1990s and is now declining on a per-capita basis in Minnesota and nationally. Per-capita visits to state and national parks, use of state trails, hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, and wilderness use are all down. The primary contributing trend is a drop in participation by young adults (ages 20 to 40) and their children.
Status: 
Complete
Start Date: 
June 2011
End Date: 
January 2013

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a) (1)
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$20,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
In 2011, our goal was to plan and host 14 workshops to teach paddling skills in Minnesota State Parks and on Minnesota State Water Trails.
Measurable Outcome(s) 
In the pilot season of “I Can Paddle!” (2011) we hosted 10 workshops, 71% of initial goal. Due to the state government shutdown and inclement weather throughout the summer 4 workshops had to be canceled. The 10 workshops that were held provided 166 people with hands on learning and educational fun.

Project Manager

Pat
Arndt
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN
55155
651-259-5578
Email: 
patricia.arndt@state.mn.us
Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Roseau, Rice, Lac qui Parle, Mille Lacs, Winona, Traverse, Lake, Pipestone, Red Lake, Steele, Pine, Chippewa, Wilkin, Rock, Brown, Grant, Clearwater, Isanti, Goodhue, Ramsey, Lyon, Freeborn, Dakota, Fillmore, Mower, Martin, Cass, Pennington, Carver, Blue Earth, Koochiching, McLeod, Itasca, Renville, Stearns, Jackson, Cook, Nobles, Crow Wing, St. Louis, Swift, Morrison, Carlton, Norman, Wright, Washington, Marshall, Kandiyohi, Wadena, Sherburne, Murray, Kanabec, Todd, Lake of the Woods, Watonwan, Sibley, Douglas, Pope, Benton, Faribault, Yellow Medicine, Anoka, Clay, Lincoln, Chisago, Hennepin, Cottonwood, Le Sueur, Meeker, Beltrami, Otter Tail, Big Stone, Dodge, Mahnomen, Nicollet, Hubbard, Redwood, Waseca, Stevens, Houston, Kittson, Becker, Wabasha, Scott, Polk, Olmsted, Aitkin