American Whitewater

Background

The American White Water Affiliation was formed in 1954 to promote the recreational use of America’s waterways, protect the environmental character of those waterways, and foster public appreciation for those waterways and waterway-related sports and recreational activities. Later in 1961, the organization was incorporated under the name “American Whitewater Affiliation” and in the following year became a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which has since rebranded as American Whitewater.^{2 1}

Though American Whitewater’s home office is based in Brevard, North Carolina, its executive and fiscal office is based in Springfield, Oregon.³

As of 2025, American Whitewater claims to have over 7,000 members and 85 local affiliate clubs throughout the United States.¹

Outdoor Alliance

American Whitewater is a founding member of the Outdoor Alliance, an environmentalist coalition including the American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, Mountaineers, American Alpine Club, Mazamas, Colorado Mountain Club, and Surfrider Foundation, which engages in policy advocacy.^{4  5}

The alliance supports legislation including the EXPLORE Act, which involved the creation of new parks, bike trails, and designated wilderness-climbing areas; the Inflation Reduction Act, which included funding for wildfire mitigation, forest management, and environmental conservation programs; the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund; and the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act, which designated new official Wilderness Areas in New Mexico.⁶

Funding

American Whitewater has received funding from nonprofits, government entities, and corporations including the Walton Family Foundation, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Conservation Alliance, National Philanthropic Trust, Patagonia, Walbridge Family Foundation, Ralph and Genevieve B. Horween Foundation, Johnson and Louise H. Clark Charitable Foundation, Google Inc., Murray Foundation, North Carolina Community Foundation, PayPal Giving Fund, Ruth and Peter Metz Family Foundation, Schwab Charitable Fund, Pacifico, and the National Paddling Film Festival.⁷

Leadership

As of 2025, Clinton Begley was the executive director of American Whitewater. Previously, he worked at the Watershed Education Network, Glacier Institute, Georgia State University, and University of New Hampshire and as the executive director of the Long Tom Watershed Council in Oregon.^{8  9}

As of 2025, Kevin Colburn was the national stewardship director of American Whitewater. Previously, he worked as the organization’s eastern conservation and access associate and was the founder of the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Paddling Club.⁹

As of 2025, Heidi Heisler was the finance director of American Whitewater. Previously, she was the finance director of the Long Tom Watershed Council.⁹

As of 2025, Hattie Johnson was the Southern Rockies restoration director at American Whitewater. Previously, she was a landscape architect with River Restoration.⁹

As of 2025, Bob Nasdor was the northeast stewardship director of American Whitewater. Previously, he was an assistant attorney general for the State of Massachusetts.⁹

As of 2025, Thomas O’Keefe was the director of policy and science at American Whitewater. Previously, he worked as a research coordinator at the University of Washington.⁹

As of 2025, Bethany Overfield was the membership and engagement director of American Whitewater. Previously, she was a research geologist at the Kentucky Geological Survey and a director, volunteer coordinator, emcee, and donor and sponsor liaison of the National Paddling Film Festival.⁹