Save The River, Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper, is hosting a number of Riverkeeper Volunteer Training and Interpretative Paddle programs on both the Canadian and American sides of the river this summer.
According to a release:
Participants will learn to monitor and report changes of River health using indicators including pollution, invasive species, wildlife die-offs, and more. Volunteers will participate in a one-hour Riverkeeper learning session followed by a two-hour kayaking excursion that includes a roughly one-hour American Canoe Association (ACA) “Quickstart Your Kayak” training that will teach the basics of paddling a kayak and simple rescue techniques.
Space is limited to 15 participants per session and pre-registration is requested.
The upcoming course in Canada, co-hosted with the Thousand Islands Association, will take place at the Thousand Islands Boat Museum, 125 Water Street, in Gananoque on Thursday, August 22 from 9:30am-12:30pm
To find out if there are any available spots and to register, email info@tiboatmuseum.org.
Participants requiring a kayak can rent one for the half day at the special rate of $25.00 plus tax at 1000 Islands Kayak, or you may bring your own kayak, life jacket, and whistle.
The Gananoque course follows an earlier one in the U.S. on Wednesday, August 7 from 9 am – 12pm at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center in Wellesley Island State Park. A limited number of kayaks are available for pre-registered participants or you can bring your own kayak, life jacket, and whistle. There is a $10 registration fee for the program, in addition to the State Park entrance fee. Pre-register by phoning the Nature Center at (315) 482-2479.
For over 40 years Save The River has been the leading grassroots environmental advocacy organization fighting for the ecological integrity of the St. Lawrence River. Save The River takes an active role in River policy issues by engaging decision makers, community leaders, residents, visitors and volunteers to make positive change. Every year Save The River works with educators in school districts in the watershed to educate 1,000+ students in a place-based curriculum that stresses age-appropriate aspects of stewardship.
