2008 Paddling Trips on the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts. Unique paddling experiences abound in the Connecticut River watershed. Paddle your favorite haunts or explore new territory with a wide variety of organizations that have come together to jointly list events. Programs vary from canoe instruction to interpretive tours to citizen’s race. In many cases, you can bring your own boat or borrow/rent from organizers. Some events have fees; universally accessible events marked with wheelchair icon. Please call others to check access, or for information and registration. Download a PDF list of events from June through October, 2008.

Friday, September 12th: Songwriting finalists will perform their original works at the “Living along the River Concert” at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, MA. Judges will choose the winning song and award prizes at the concert.

Saturday, September 20: CRWC is partnering with Connecticut Water, Farmington River Watershed Assoc, Rivers Alliance, CRERPA, and Tidewaters Institute to host a collection day for unwanted prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. The event provides a safe way to dispose of these products in cooperation with CVS/pharmacy and the Department of Consumer Protection. Held at Connecticut Water's office in Clinton, CT, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. http://www.ctwater.com/UnwantedMedicationEvent.htm

Saturday, September 20: Swallow Ballet Paddle.  Each fall, near the mouth of the Connecticut River, you can see a spectacular display of tree swallows gathering in the hundreds of thousands to feed and prepare for their southern migration.  This only happens in the marshes of Goose Island at the entrance of Lord’s Cove between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.  Please join CRWC for an evening paddle to witness this phenomenon on Saturday September 20, leaving from the Lieutenant River State Boat Launch on Rt. 156 in Old Lyme at 5pm with expected return to our cars by 7:30pm.  Bring your own canoe or kayak, life jackets, water, binoculars and a jacket.  No bug spray needed since the swallows are eating all the mosquitoes! $5 donation suggested.  Please contact Megan Hearne to RSVP and for details 860-704-0057. 

Sunday, September 28, time TBD, River Steward Andrea Donlon co-leads a Conn. River trip with the Appalachian Mountain Club from Agawam MA to Enfield CT. More details will be posted later. Cost: free. Contact Andrea Donlon at (413) 772-2020 x. 205.

Saturday, October 4: It’s not too soon to start thinking about how you’ll join the fun during the 12th annual Source to Sea Cleanup. We'll help you organize your own group or join an existing group. Or, perhaps your business would like to have their name recognized up and down the Valley by becoming a sponsor? However you participate, don’t miss this chance to get your feet wet and your hands dirty cleaning up your river.

Announcing the Upper Valley Eyes and Ears Network: Are you a CRWC member who spends time on the Connecticut or its tributaries in New Hampshire or Vermont? Do you want to take an active hand in protecting this priceless resource? If so, we want you to be a part of the CRWC Volunteer Team by joining our Eyes and Ears Network. River Steward David Deen will train you to identify and report such things as potential violations of permit conditions, unexplained discharges, and other events that seem to have a negative effect on the river. In future years we may expand into MA and CT. Interested? Email Christine at cluis-schultz@ctriver.org with "Eyes and Ears" in the subject line or call (413) 772-2020 x201.