Evening River Paddle, Sat. 9/26 @ 4 pm

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art and First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Middletown are co-sponsoring a canoe and kayak paddle in the lower Mattabesset and Coginchaug Rivers, as well as the Floating Meadows where those two rivers converge. The tour departs from the boat ramp on the Connecticut River, next to Harbor Park in Middletown, on Saturday September 26 at 4 p.m. This is an opportunity for paddlers to spot birds and other wildlife and to see the spectacular wild rice that flourishes in the meadows in the late afternoon sunlight. Naturalist Eric Mosher will be along to talk about freshwater tidal ecology, invasive plants, and the effect of land use patterns on water quality.

Paddlers will be on the water for about 2-3 hours depending on conditions. There will be one or two rest stops. The group will return to the starting point, so no car shuttles are required. The timing of our paddle may allow us to see a crescent moon rising in the east just as the sun sets in the west. All paddlers are welcome.

Participants must provide their own boats, lifejackets, and other equipment and will encouraged to pick up plastic bottles and cans as part of the Jonah Center’s ongoing effort to beautify and protect our local waterways.

This event is free and advance registration is not necessary. Call (860) 343-3259 for more information.