Singleton’s resume includes raft guide, ski coach, marketing vice president at Nantahala Outdoor Center and, since 2003, executive director at the nation’s leading advocate for whitewater rivers. Under his leadership, American Whitewater has helped protect recreational paddling flows on more than 30 major whitewater rivers in the U.S. and advocated for removal of 14 dams that were no longer economically viable.

Singleton will discuss Western North Carolina’s recreational threats and assets, stewardship opportunities the public can get involved with and the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of six recreation organizations working to protect outdoor recreation opportunities. He will also touch on new river access points and paddling opportunities on the Tuckasegee River — the result of multi-year negotiations with Duke Energy to provide recreational benefits in exchange for federal permits for its hydropower dams. 

The goal is to bring one outdoor adventure speaker to WCU each semester, an effort that’s funded through private donations. The series is planned through Base Camp Cullowhee, WCU’s outdoor programming organization. 828.227.3633.