The Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Rome-based river protection group, is now enlisting individuals to raise money through the organization’s annual canoe-a-thon. The event is part of Waterfest XI, an environmental education and paddlesports extravaganza set for May 6-7 at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome.

The Canoe-a-thon allows individuals to raise money on behalf of CRBI and compete to win some $5,000 in prizes. Those raising the most money can win everything from plane tickets to a new canoe. CRBI hopes to raise at least $8,000 through the canoe-a-thon.

Click here to register for the event.

“The Coosa River basin is home to 15 federally protected species, and we work to enforce laws that keep these critters with us,” said

Joe Cook, CRBI executive director. “But, if our organization is not adequately funded, we become endangered too. About 70 percent of the money we spend on our programs comes from local donors.”

Participants in the canoe-a-thon have from now until May 7 to raise as much money as possible. Donation forms can be downloaded at CRBI’s website, coosa.org. Participants can set up their own online fundraising page at firstgiving.com/coosa.

Those raising the most money can choose from a host of prizes including Air Tran Airways tickets, seven-day mountain vacation getaways from Villas at Coosawattee in Ellijay, a new canoe from Old Town, a new kayak from Cedar Creek Park, clothing from Patagonia and more.

Those who donate $5 or more to the canoe-a-thon receive a ticket to win a new canoe courtesy of Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring.

Waterfest will feature a 13-mile race on the Oostanaula River, canoe and kayak tug-o-wars at Ridge Ferry Park and an environmental fair. The fair includes a live reptile and raptor show, a large aquarium stocked with fish from the Oostanaula River, exhibits, children’s activities, food and an environmental quiz bowl tournament for area elementary schools.

Registration is now open for the race and tug-o-wars at coosa.org