REGION — The summer of 2015 marks the 20th consecutive year of the Source to Sea, so get ready to celebrate 20 years on the Androscoggin River, by paddling for one or more days on this historic trip down the river.

The Androscoggin River Watershed Council (ARWC) invites everyone to join us this summer for an adventure. We would also like to invite anyone who may have paddled with us on the original Source to Sea, formerly the Trek, to join us for a 20-year reunion.

Having once been designated the most polluted river in the nation, the Androscoggin was the impetus for the 1972 Clean Water Act. How lucky to have this valuable, revitalized resource winding 170 miles from Eastern NH through Western Maine and down to the Maine seacoast.

And how exciting to be celebrating so many years paddling down the Androscoggin. Each year hundreds of participants join together for one or multiple days to paddle the Source to Sea and celebrate the river’s rebirth. We believe the best way to understand the river’s unique assets are to experience them first hand. Participants learn about local conservation, history, ecology, and recreation through daily on-river programs.

A preliminary paddle, in conjunction with the Errol, NH 4th of July celebration, will take place on July 4th starting at Steamer Diamond and paddling to Errol in time for fireworks. The S2S kick-off paddle is July 10th at the Umbagog Wildlife Refuge Station north of Errol, NH. Then we travel down the river each week until we reach Merrymeeting Bay in Brunswick, ME where the river meets the sea. Visit www.androscogginwatershed.org for more details on demo days, local area hikes, special programs, and other fun and excitement on the Androscoggin. See the full schedule for July and August.

Pre-registration (available on our website) is encouraged for logistical and safety reasons. Although there is no fee to participate, a $10 donation is suggested at time of registering. Donations will also be accepted at the put in site on each event day. We invite you to join us on the river for an annual event that is not only a lot of fun, but also an immense benefit to communities and people living within the Androscoggin watershed. We hope to see you on the river.

Many thanks to our sponsors who make this event possible: Betterment Fund; Sunday River; Verso Paper; Brookfield; Trans Canada; Patriot Renewables; Northeast Bank; L.L. Bean; Poland Spring Bottling; CES; Mahoosuc Realty; Norway Savings Bank (Bethel); ReEnergy, Otis Federal Credit Union; L.L. Cote; WJ Wheeler Ins; Pleasant River Campground; Sonoma County Wealth Advisors, Town and Country Inn; Timberland Campground; Bear Country Power Sports; and additional support from AVCOG, River Valley Healthy Communities, Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Androscoggin Land Trust, Brunswick Topsham Land Trust, Bethel, Inn, Stony Brook Recreation, Mahoosuc Inn, Stagecoach Shuttle Services, Shaker Hill Outdoors and Outdoor Adventure and Campground.

FMI contact Becky Secrest 207-824-3813 or 207-754-8158. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Website: http://androscogginwatershed.org or http://arwc.camp7.org/. Like Androscoggin River Watershed Council on Facebook

20th Annual Source to Sea 2015 Schedule

Saturday July 4: Steamer Diamond to Errol, NH 3 p.m.

Friday July 10: Evening Paddle Wildlife Refuge to Steamer Diamond: 3 p.m.

Saturday July 11: Errol, NH to 7 Islands Bridge 8:30 a.m.

Sunday July 12: 7 Island Bridge to Pontook Dam/Pontook to Boffinger 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 15: Hike Jericho Mountain, Berlin, NH 9 a.m.

Thursday July 16: After Hours Paddle Nansen Wayside to Berlin 3 p.m.

Friday July 17: Shelburne to Gilead 8:30 a.m.

Saturday July 18: Gilead to Bethel 8:30 a.m.

Sunday July 19: Bethel to Hanover 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 22: Hike Step Falls Newry, NH: 9 a.m.

Thursday July 23: Hanover to Rumford 8:30 a.m.

Friday July 24: Mexico to Dixfield 8:30 a.m.

Saturday July 25: Dixfield to Canton 8:30 a.m.

Sunday July 26: Canton to Snoopy 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 29: Livermore Falls to Twin 8:30 a.m.

Thursday July 30: After hours Paddle at Otis Mill in Jay 5:30 p.m.

Friday July 31: Twin Bridges to Center Bridge 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Aug. 1: Center Bridge to Gulf Island 8:30 a.m.

Sunday Aug. 2: Auburn to Rancourt Preserve 8:30 a.m.

Thursday Aug, 6: Auburn After Hours Paddle 5:30 p.m.

Friday Aug. 7: Durham to Lisbon Falls 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Aug. 8: Topsham to Brunswick: 8:30 a.m.

Sunday Aug. 9: Brunswick/Merrymeeeting Bay Water Street in Brunswick Time 8:30 a.m.