Merrimack Paddle Challenge
June 2021 – The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Five Rivers Conservation Trust, Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, and the Merrimack River Watershed Council, announced a two-state Merrimack Paddle Challenge this summer.
The do-it-yourself challenge runs from June 15 through September 30, 2021 along the Merrimack River and its tributaries. The four sponsoring groups have mapped out a collection of five paddling adventures in the Merrimack River watershed, specially chosen to maximize fun and opportunities to learn more about the ecosystem of the Merrimack watershed that stretches from Franklin, New Hampshire to Newburyport, Massachusetts.
“The Merrimack Paddle Challenge will be great inspiration for outdoor adventurers to experience the beauty of the Merrimack River and its watershed,” states Jack Savage, president of the Forest Society. “As many may recall, we premiered a documentary, The Merrimack: River at Risk, in 2020, in collaboration with Jerry Monkman and Ecophotography. The film explores the threats to the Merrimack River and its watershed, the health of which is critical to communities in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We hope by getting people out paddling in the watershed they’ll more fully appreciate what is at stake in one of the region’s largest and most important watersheds, and see why land protection along the Merrimack and its tributaries is so vitally important.”
Adventurers participating in the challenge will receive a laminated paddle guide for each excursion, complete with maps, locations of put-ins and take-outs, important details about the paddle (length, difficulty, and time), and information about points of interest along the way. Participants will also be entered into a raffle to win prizes at the end of the challenge period.
One paddle excursion, the Contoocook River paddle, is of particular importance to Five Rivers. “The Contoocook River Paddle offers an option for experienced and novice paddlers alike and showcases what this challenge is all about,” states Liz Short, executive director of Five Rivers Conservation Trust. “Conserving land along our waterways makes for healthier communities – providing clean water, access to nature, and fun outdoor adventures.”
Hop in the water with your family or friends for a do-it-yourself paddling adventure this summer! Register your party for $25 and we’ll provide laminated paddle guides for each excursion, complete with maps, locations of put-ins and take-outs, important details about the paddle (length, difficulty, and time) and information about what you’ll see along the way.
For more information on the paddle excursions and to register, visit https://forestsociety.org/merrimack-paddle-challenge.
