LEWISTON — After paddling for 11 days and over 100 miles through northern New Hampshire and western Maine, participants in the Androscoggin Source to the Sea Trek will make their way towards the watershed’s largest cities, Lewiston and Auburn, from Friday to Sunday.

The trek, which this year is celebrating its 15th anniversary, began near Lake Umbagog on July 9 and moved into New Hampshire before following the Androscoggin back into Maine.

“After spending last weekend transitioning from the working lands of Dixfield and Canton into downtown Jay and Livermore Falls, it’s exciting to witness a similar working lands to downtown transition as we head from the farms and forests of Turner, Leeds and Greene into L-A.” said Jonathan P. LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust executive director. “This is what makes this section of the Androscoggin River so unique in New England.”

The public is welcome to attend any of the following dates. Preregistration is requested by visiting www.androscogginwatershed.org or by calling Trek Coordinator Jessie Seymour at 754-8158. Meeting time is at 9 a.m. at the launch point.

Friday, July 30, paddlers will meet on the Leeds side of the Twin Bridges on Route 219 and will make their way to Center Bridge Road between Turner and Greene at the northern end of Gulf Island Pond. Government officials representing towns and agencies in the watershed will join the trek to experience and learn about the river first hand. The public is also welcome to attend.

Saturday, July 31, the trek will pass through Maine’s newest, and fifth largest, state park, the Androscoggin Riverlands, located just north of Lewiston-Auburn. Representatives from the Maine Department of Conservation and the Androscoggin Land Trust will be on hand to educate trekkers about the park and the 20-year history of its development. Paddlers should meet at Center Bridge in Turner and will take out at Gulf Island Dam.

Sunday, Aug. 1, participants will meet at the North River Road boat access in Auburn for a round-trip paddle to the David Rancourt River Preserve in Lewiston, which would include a brief trail walk, led by the LA Trails program of the Androscoggin Land Trust.

Paddlers may join for one day or many. Participation is free and attendees should provide their own paddle-powered boats, appropriate gear and lunch. A voluntary, tax-deductible donation of $10 is requested to support the nonprofit Watershed Council. More information on future dates, logistics and special events is also available at www.androscogginwatershed.org.

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