Introducing our Environment and Sustainability Lead

Hello, my name is Mike Raine. I’ve recently been appointed by Canoe Wales to help with Environmental and Sustainability Education. I come to Canoe Wales having worked with Mountain Leaders and Mountaineering Instructors helping to increase their environmental knowledge, understanding and awareness. Some of you may have come across me as the author of Nature of Snowdonia (Pesda Press 2020) or seen me about in the hills or in my canoe.

Climbing and walking often takes place is denuded upland environments. I was thrilled, therefore, to be given the opportunity to work with Canoe Wales as much paddling takes places in very special places.

I know you all appreciate the adventure offered by paddling and I know that many of you appreciate the places in which you paddle. Paddling, so often, takes place in wooded ravines, gorges and along the coastal margins, these are some of the most natural places in the British Isles. These places are our last wilderness. It’s my job to help you get to know those places better and inspire you to operate in as sustainable manner as I possibly can.

If I may quote David Attenborough “No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced”.

A stone bridge over a river in the middle of a forest.

A man is standing on a beach covered in trash.

I hope to be able to inspire paddlers to operate in more sustainable ways, engage in existing good practice campaigns and, where possible, modify their own behaviours.

I’ve started by running a series of environmental social media posts and pieces for Ceufad about the uniqueness of some of our paddling environments. I want to raise passion and care for places. I want to work with clubs, with paddlers and with instructors. I need to find ways to inspire you and to help you find ways to inspire each other. I want to arm you with wonderful stories to tell about the wonderful places in which we play.

If you ‘d like me to come and visit your club, your paddling group or one of your courses, just drop me a line mike.raine@canoewales.com

Cheers,

Mike

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