{"id":26151,"date":"2021-12-25T23:45:09","date_gmt":"2021-12-26T07:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=26151"},"modified":"2021-12-22T15:23:59","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T23:23:59","slug":"nrs-partner-community-impact-2021-by-the-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2021\/12\/25\/nrs-partner-community-impact-2021-by-the-numbers\/","title":{"rendered":"NRS Partner & Community Impact: 2021 By the Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIf kayakers can\u2019t save rivers, who can?\u201d asks Dan Yates from Save Our Rivers<\/a>, an organization fighting to protect rivers in the United Kingdom and Europe.<\/p>\n

We couldn\u2019t agree with Dan more, and if 2021 proved anything\u2014kayakers, rafters, canoeists, stand-up paddlers, swimmers, anglers and more are saving our backyard waters with a passion like never before and breaking down barriers to the outdoors along the way.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Save Our Rivers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When we eddied out in 2020, we couldn\u2019t imagine that another year of unprecedented challenges waited for us downstream. But here we are, the end of 2021, and as the threats seem to multiply before our eyes, we couldn\u2019t be prouder to be a part of a community that has not only met the moment, but doubled down in our efforts to protect, restore, and take care of the wild rivers, lakes, coastlines and landscapes that have defined our community from the beginning. And every step of the way, we see our partners reaching out to new friends and allies. Together, we are building a more welcoming, equitable and accessible community for all of us.<\/p>\n

Together, with our partners, we welcomed more than 70,000 new people \u2014 youth, adults and families \u2014 to the outdoors, engaged more than 11,000 people in gatherings, protests and celebrations, recruited more than 32,600 volunteers, sent more than 147,000 letters, messages and comments to lawmakers, protected and restored more than 1,300 river miles, picked up and packed out more than 18.5 tons of trash, secured more than $2 billion to take care of our common lands and waters, and so much more.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Professional Transformation Sports Development (PTSD)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition, NRS launched the LEAD Ambassador program<\/a>, redirecting a portion of our resources to support the work of community builders and activists in outdoor participation and conservation. Our aim? Help our ambassadors make the world a better place, and for them to help make NRS a better company.<\/p>\n

We continued our mission to break down barriers to the outdoors with our Just Add Water Project<\/a>, putting values into action by supporting activists and organizations in building an inclusive paddlesports community of the future, creating new advocates for conservation, and protecting the health of, and access to, our shared lands and waters. What started as a conversation has grown into a long-term, sustained effort aimed at building strong, durable relationships with those out there doing the hard work to make lasting change.<\/p>\n

As we round the corner on another year and gear up for our 50th year in business, we can\u2019t help but look back at how far we\u2019ve all come, especially in the last two years that have challenged us in ways we could have never expected. But it\u2019s not the challenges that burn brightest, it\u2019s the conversations with our friends, colleagues and partners that ignite that unmistakable and unstoppable spark of hope, of connection and as always, a healthy dose of adventure. It\u2019s that secret sauce that infuses the spirit of NRS, the spirit of this community, the spirit of you and me. And that, that is something to celebrate.<\/p>\n